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

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