Topic 1 Origin and Structure of Oceans

Topic 1 Origin and Structure of Oceans

1.1 Physical structure of the oceans

Nature of science:

• Paradigm shifts change perspective of scientific exploration--old paradigm saw individual bodies of water and ownership by nations; new paradigm describes One World Ocean with ocean basins named and viewed as inter-related with the whole system; promotes international cooperation among scientists.

Understandings:

• Spatial understanding of oceans includes two surface dimensions as well as vertical dimensions

• Effect of latitude is a recurring factor in each topic of study

• Examination of oceans includes the water as well as lithosphere beneath with coastlines and atmosphere

• Geographic coordinate system of latitude and longitude is used to describe locations

Applications and skills:

• Naming and locating the world's oceans and major seas

• Recognizing chart projections with their advantages and distortions

• Using physical globe to increase understanding of spatial relationships

1.2 Describing ocean basins

Nature of science:

• Use of models to represent reality

• Verification among techniques increases certainty and improves the level of confidence

Understandings:

• Bathymetry can be used to determine the topography of ocean basins

• Satellite altimetry is used for mapping the ocean topography and can be verified by bathymetric techniques

Applications and skills:

• Skill: contour mapping from data collected by echo-soundings; create a topographic profile from a transect of a contour map (practical 1)

• Skill: labeling features on a model or map of a continental margin and ocean floor

• Skill: drawing and explaining the hypsographic curve

1.3 Origin of the oceans

Nature of science:

• The underlying assumption of science is that the universe has an independent reality accessible to human senses and reasoning

• The use of verifiable patterns provides evidence for analysis that must be examined without bias in order to be scientific in nature

Understandings:

• Conditions of the early planet including atmospheric composition and lack of water.

• Alternative ideas about how oceans formed

• Evidence used to explore the changing planet

Applications and skills:

• Timeline of events since formation of planet

• Evidence of atmospheric qualities from ice cores