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Geometry concepts
related to Earth and
Space
Prepared and presented
by:

Souheil Zekri
Wandaliz Torres

Objectives
Introduce geometry concepts that will
connect visual observations of earth and
space and the scientific concepts behind
the observations.
Provide simple computational examples
hands-on component of the session.

Sunshine standards
covered
The student measures quantities in the real
world and uses the measures to solve
problems. (MA.B.1.2)
The student estimates measurements in
real-world problem situations. (MA.B.3.2)
The student describes, draws, identifies,
and analyzes two- and three-dimensional
shapes. (MA.C.1.2)

Sunshine standards
covered

The student visualizes and illustrates ways in

which shapes can be combined, subdivided, and
changed. (MA.C.2.2)
The student uses coordinate geometry to locate
objects in both two and three dimensions and to
describe objects algebraically. (MA.C.3.2)
The student uses expressions, equations,
inequalities, graphs, and formulas to represent
and interpret situations. (MA.D.2.2)

Session Layout
Triangle geometry (angles, bisection,
ratios).
Reference frames (Cartesian, cylindrical,
spherical):
Hands-on solar system geometric
measurements.

Introductory vector concepts.

Shape optimization and surface area to
volume ratios.

 Mathematics is the cheapest science.

Unlike physics or chemistry, it does not
require any expensive equipment. All one
needs for mathematics is a pencil and paper.
"Geometry is the science of correct reasoning
on incorrect figures."

George Polya (1887-1985)

Lets start with a

mental activity!

Lets start with a

mental activity!

Top view of a
PYRAMID!

Lets start with a mental

activity!

Picture of three dimensional objects will be

shown, drawn on pieces of papers. Each picture
will be shown for 10 seconds and
students/teachers will have to draw the exact
picture out of memory afterwards.
A discussion about the way students/teachers
pictured the object in their memories will follow.
Students/Teachers will be shown the actual
three dimensional object made out of gum drops
and sticks.

Fundamental concepts in
geometry
Point: no size just location!
Line: no edgejust direction!
Plane: no volumejust area!

Triangle Geometry
Median

Angle
bisectors

bisectors

Altitudes

Triangle geometry
Apex

The median is a
segment that starts at
one of the 3 apexes
Median of the triangle and
ends at the midpoint
of the opposing base.

Midpoint

Triangle geometry

Midpoint

A perpendicular
bisector are segments
emerging
perpendicular to the
bisectors midline of one of the
bases and ends on the
opposing triangle side
Draw a similar triangle
and its altitudes using
a right triangle and a
ruler

Triangle geometry
An angle bisector is a
segment that divides
an angle in two equal
angles and ends on
the opposing triangle
side
Angle
bisectors Draw a similar
triangle and its
altitudes using a
protractor

Triangle geometry
An altitude is a
segment that emerges
from one of the 3
apexes and ends
Altitudes perpendicular to the
opposing triangle side
Draw a similar triangle
and its altitudes using
a right triangle

Classifying triangles
By angle

Classifying triangles
By sides

Classifying triangles
By size
By size

Some triangle properties

Sum of the interior angles in any triangle is 180 o
Equilateral triangles have 3 equal sides and 3
equal angles
Isosceles triangles have 2 equal sides and 2 equal
angles
The sum of any two sides is greater than the third
side
Area of a triangle is base times height

Some triangle properties

Sum of the interior angles in any triangle
is 180o
Sum of these is
180o

These are equal

These are equal

Some triangle properties

Equilateral triangles have 3 equal sides
and 3 equal angles

Some triangle properties

Isosceles triangles have 2 equal sides and
2 equal angles

Some triangle properties

The sum of any two sides is greater than
the third side

Some triangle properties

Area of a triangle is base times height

Area = bh

Add an activity on
Triangles
Suggestions:
Using paper and
folding it

Reference frames

Cartesian, cylindrical and spherical

The right hand rule
Vectors
Application of all previously introduced
concepts in earth and space

Reference frames: the

math way to know where
everything is

Every reference frame has an origin.

There are 2 different type:
Cartesian frame
Polar frame (cylindrical, spherical)

Cartesian reference
frame

In 2-D
In 3-D

Example
X1,Y1,Z1

X2,Y2,Z2

X3,Y3,Z3

X
Y

Time lapsed coordinates from

earth to a newly discovered planet
called 2003UB313

Polar reference frame

In 2-D cylindrical

In 3-D spherical

Example

length
angle

You can see in this

case how it is easier to
use polar coordinates
rather than Cartesian
because the length is
the same and all we
X have to do is vary the
angle instead of
measuring the x and y
for each point on the
mantle surface.

Example
Z

Latitude angle

Longitude angle
Y
X

Lets locate objects in

space
Using the provided reference frame and
strings, find the Cartesian coordinates of
different objects in the room

Data Sheet
Cartesian Coordinates
x
Object1
Object2

Vector concepts
What is a vector (geometrically and
analytically)?
What are they used for?
How do we apply vector concepts to earth
science?

Vectors or scalars:
whats the difference?
Some physical properties, such as temperature
or area, are given completely by their magnitude
and so only need a number are called scalar
values.
There are other physical quantities, such as
force, velocity or acceleration, for which we
must know direction as well as size or
magnitude in order to work with them. It is often
very helpful to represent such quantities by
directed lines called vectors

Vectors: General Rules

Two vectors are equal if and only if they are equal in

both magnitude and direction
If c is a vector, then - c is defined as having the same
magnitude but the reverse direction to c
Multiplying a vector by a number or scalar just has the
effect of changing its scale

Adding vectors

Using the parallelogram rule

Using reference frames

to measure vectors
Y

So if we can write the vector Q as a sum of the unit

vectors s and t in the following matter: Q = 2.5s + 1t
How about vectors P and R?

How do we apply vector

concepts to earth
science?

Combining the reference frame concepts

and vector concepts we can easily see
how much easier it is to locate objects
(galaxies, stars, planets, satellites,
comets, space ships, etc) and calculate
the speed and acceleration of any of these
objects.

Add an activity on
vectors, relate the
concepts with
similar vocab

Shape optimization
and surface to volume ratios
What is surface to volume ratio?
How is a shape optimal?
Why is the Universe oval (close to being
spherical) shaped?

What is surface area

to volume ratio?
It is the ratio (or division) of the surface
area by the volume.
The larger this ratio is, the more surface
there is for a specific volume.
This allows more useful area (for
physical or chemical reactions) for a
fixed volume.

More examples

How is a shape optimal?

The higher the ratio of surface area to volume, the
more optimized the shape is.
Lets use the following websites to compute the
ratio for a sphere and a cube. (Volume is the
same)
For the volume calculation use the following website:
http://grapevine.abe.msstate.edu/~fto/tools/vol/
For the surface area calculation use the following
website: http://www.csgnetwork.com/surfareacalc.html

Data Sheet
Surface
Volume {V}
Area {SA}
3
(m
)
2
(m )

SA
Ratio
V
(1 / m)

Cube
Sphere
Make it work didnt work in class for some reason

So why is the
universe oval
shaped?
Discussion!