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Regents Earth Science
Curriculum 2018-2019
Unit 1: Dimensions of the Earth
A. Nature of the Earth’s Shape and Surface
B. Evidence of the Earth’s Shape
B1: Photographs taken from Space
B2: Observations of the Altitude of Polaris
B3: Gravitational Anomalies
C. Determination of the Earth’s Shape: Terrestrial Example
C1: Eratosthenes Method of determining circumference.
D. Spheres of the Earth System
D1: Lithosphere
D2: Hydrosphere
D3: Atmosphere
E. Mapping the Surface Features of the Earth
E1: Coordinate Systems
E1.1: Latitude and Longitude
E2: Field Maps
E3: Topographical Maps
E3.1: Map Symbols
E3.2: Map Scale
E3.3: Map Direction (orientation)
E3.4: Map Profiles
Unit II: The Earth in Space
A. Observations of Celestial Objects
A1: Apparent Daily Motion of All Celestial Objects
A2: Geocentric vs. the Heliocentric Model
A3: The Earth’s Motions
A3.1 Rotation
A3.2 Revolution
A3.3 Precession
B. The Sun’s Apparent Path
B1: Changes in the Sun’s Path
B1.1 Changes in the Seasons
B2.2 Changes with Latitude
C. Satellites in Orbit
C1: Gravity
C2: Orbital Motion
C2.1 Elliptical
C2.2 Circular
C3: Orbital Motion in the Solar System
C3.1 Aphelion and Perihelion
C3.2 Eccentricity
D. The Earth, Sun, And Moon Orbital System
D1: The Moon
D1.1 The Phases of the Moon
D1.2 Eclipses of the Sun and Moon
D1.3 Tides (Spring and Neap)
E. The Earth in the Universe
Unit 2 Extensions: Astronomy Extensions
F. Evidence of the Heliocentric Model
F1: The Foucault Pendulum
F2: The Coriolis Effect
G. Descriptions of the Solar System
G1: Solar System Data (ESRT)
G2: Electromagnetic Spectrum
G3: The Inner Planets
G4: The Outer Planets
G5: Interplanetary Bodies
G6: Origin of the Universe
G6.1 The Big Bang Theory
G6.2 The Expanding Universe
Unit III: Meteorology
A. Methods of Description of Weather
A1: Air Temperature
A2: Air Pressure
A3: Air Humidity
A3.1 Absolute Humidity
A3.2 Relative Humidity
A3.3 Dew Point
A4.4 Sling Psychrometer
A4: Air Movement
A5: Air Quality
B. Relationship of Atmospheric Variables
B1: Air Pressure and Air Temperature
B2: Air Pressure and Humidity
B3: Air Temperature and Air Humidity
C. Air Pressure and Wind
C1: Land and See Breezes
C2: Global Wind Belts
C3: The Jet Stream
D. Precipitation and Cloud Formation
D1: Condensation
D1.1 Condensation Nuclei
D2: Cloud Base
D3: Precipitation Conditions
D3.1 Fog
D3.2 Frost
D3.3 Snow
D3.4 Rain
E. Weather Maps
E1: Synoptic Weather Maps
E1.1 Synoptic Forecasting
E2: Field Maps
E2.1 Isotherms
E2.2 Isobars
E2.3 Gradients
E3: Station Models
E4: Air Masses
E4.1 Maritime Tropical
E4.2 Maritime Polar
E4.3 Continental Tropical
E4.4 Continental Polar
F. Weather Forecasting
F1: Weather Fronts
F1.1 Cold Front
F2.2 Warm Front
F3.3 Stationary Front
F3.4 Occluded Front
F2: Cyclones
F3: Anticyclones
F4: Thunderstorms
F5: Tornadoes
F6: Hurricanes
Unit 3 Extensions: Atmospheric Energy Extensions
G. The Storing of Energy in the Atmosphere
G1: Electromagnetic Waves
G2: Radiation Budget
G3: Convection
G4: Conduction
G5: Insolation
G5.1: Seasonal Changes of Insolation
G5.2 Angle of Insolation
G5.3 Daily and Annual Cycles (Duration)
H. Radiative Balance
H1: Color and Texture of the Surface
H2: Specific Heat Capacity
I. Phases Changes of Water
I1: Latent Heat of Fusion
I2: Latent Heat of Vaporization
J. Adiabatic Changes
K. The Greenhouse Effect
K1: Infrared Wavelengths
K2: Ultraviolet Wavelengths
Unit IV: Minerals and Rocks
A. The Materials of the Earth
B. Characteristics used to identify Minerals.
B1: Definition of minerals
B2: Mineral Classification
B2.2 Silicates
B2.3 Carbonates
B3.3 Oxides
C. Mineral Characteristics
C1: Color
C2: Luster
C3: Streak
C4: Hardness
C5: Cleavage
C6: Fracture
C7: Specific Gravity
D. Mineral Identification Tests
D1: Magnetism
D2: Double refraction
D3: Acid reaction
D4: Powdered Flame Test
D5: Piezoelectric/ Pyroelectric
E. Minerals as Building Blocks of the Earth’s Crust
F. The Three Main Classifications of Rocks
G. Igneous Rock
G1: Lava
G2: Magma
G3: Silica Content
G4: Crystal formation series
G4.1 Extrusive
G4.2 Intrusive
G5: Characteristics
H. Sedimentary Rock
H1: Sediments
H2: Organic
H3: Siliclastic
H4: Evaporites
H5: Lithification
H6: Layering and Stratification
H7: Fossils
I. Metamorphic Rocks
I1: Formation
I1.1 Heat
I1.2 Pressure
I1.3 Chemical Activity
I2: Characteristics
I2.1 Changes in Crystalline Texture
I2.2 Density Change
I2.3 Foliation and Banding
I2.4 Distortion of layers and Fossils
I2.5 Changes in Chemical Composition
I3: Classification
J. The Rock Cycle
Unit 4 Extensions: Natural Resources
K. Conservation of Natural Resources
K1: Strategic Minerals
K2: Fossil Fuels
K3: Water and Soil
K4: Global Implications
Unit V: Weathering, Erosion and Deposition
A. Changing of the Earth’s Crust by Weathering
B. Physical Weathering
B1: Frost Action
B2: Abrasion
B3: Exfoliation
B4: Plant and Animal
B5: Temperature Changes
C. Chemical Weathering
C1: Oxidation
C2: Hydration and Hydrolysis
C3: Chemical Solution
C4: Carbonation
D. Weathering Rates
D1: Climate
D2: Particle Size / Surface Area
D3: Mineral Composition
E. Products of Weathering
E1: Sediments
E2: Soils
F. Erosion Processes
F1: Evidence of Erosion
F2: Agents of Erosion
F3: Mass Wasting
F3.1 Rapid Mass Wasting
F3.2 Slow Processes
G. Rivers and Running Water
G1: Runoff
G2: Streams
G2.1 Sediment Erosion, Transport, and Deposition
G2.2 Life Cycle
H. Oceanic Erosion
H1: Waves
H2: Currents
I. Wind Erosion
J. Factors of Sediment Deposition
J1: Speed of Transporter
J2: Particle Size
J3: Layering
K. Development of Landforms by Sediment Deposition
K1: Landforms by Gravity Deposition
K1.1 Mudflows
K1.2 Talus
K1.3 Slump
K1.4 Creep
K2: Stream Deposition
K2.1 Oxbow Lakes
K2.2 Floodplains and Levees
K2.3 Deltas and Alluvial Fans
K3: Oceanic Deposition
K3.1 Beaches
K3.2 Sandbars, Barrier Islands and Lagoons
K4: Deposition by Wind
K4.1 Loess
K4.2 Dunes
Unit 5 Extension: Glacial Geology of New York
L. Formation of Glaciers
M. Movement of Ice
N. Types of Glaciers
N1: Valley Glaciers
N2: Continental Glaciers
O. Glacial Erosion
O1: Abrasion
O2: Plucking
O3: Glacial Polish
O4: Glacial Striations
O5: Glacial Grooves
O6: Drumlins
O7: U-shaped valley/ Hanging valleys
P. Glacial Deposition Features
P1: Moraines
P2: Kettles, Kames and Eskers
P3: Glacial Lakes
Q. Glacial Ice Ages
Q1: Pleistocene in New York
R. Glacial Resources
R1: Aquifers
R2: Sand and gravel
Unit VI: The Dynamic Crust
A. Importance of Earthquakes to Humans
A1: The Crust
A1.1 Lithosphere
A1.2 Asthenosphere
A2: The Mantle and its Composition
A3: The Core
B. Causes of Earthquakes
C. Earthquake Waves
C1: Wave Mechanics
C1.1 S- Waves
C1.2 P- Waves
D. Measuring Earthquakes
D1: Seismographs
D2: Determining the Distance to an Earthquake Epicenter
D3: Origin Time
D4: Triangulation to Location
E. Effects of Earthquakes
F. Volcanoes
F1: Magma Formation
F2: Formation of Volcanoes
G. Volcanic Structures
H. Zones of Volcanic and Earthquake Activity
I. Plate Tectonics
I1: Plate Boundaries
I1.1 Divergent
I1.2 Convergent
I1.3 Transform
J. Evidence of Plate Tectonics
J1: Continental Drift
J1.1 Oceanic vs. Continental Crust
J1.2 Geological Structures
J1.3 Fossil Evidence
J1.4 Climate Change
J2: Ocean Floor Spreading
J2.1 Mid-Ocean Ridges
J2.2 Trenches
J2.3 Ring of Fire
J2.4 Paleomagnetism
K. Cause and Effects of Plate Tectonics
K1: Stress and Strain
K2: Folds
K3: Joints and Faulting
Unit VII: Hydrogeology and Climate
A. The Origin of Surface Water
B. The Water Cycle
C. Groundwater
C1: Porosity
C2: The Water Table
C3: Aquifers and Wells
C4: Artesian Wells
D. Factors that Determine Climate
D1: Latitude
D2: Altitude
D3: Water Proximity
D4: Wind Belts
D5: Oceanic Currents
D6: Surface Relief
Unit VIII: The Earth’s History
A. Determination of the Order of Geological Events.
B. Relative Dating of Rock Structures
B1: Law of Superposition
B2: Unconformities
C. Correlation of Geological Events
C1: Outcrop Identification
C2: Physical Characteristics
C3: Index Fossils
C4: Marker Layers
D. The Geological Time Scale
D1: Important Geological Events in New York
D2: Evidence of Past Life
D3: Altered Environments
E. Radioactive Dating
