earth/environmental - introduction

Created by: L.ZimmermanCreated by: L.Zimmerman

Introduction to Introduction to Earth/Environmental ScienceEarth/Environmental Science

1.1. GeologyGeology

Study of the Study of the origin, history, origin, history, and structure of and structure of the earththe earth

2.2. MeteorologyMeteorologyStudy atmosphere, Study atmosphere,

especially weather especially weather

& weather conditions& weather conditions

3.3. OceanographyOceanographyStudy of the ocean and its phenomenaStudy of the ocean and its phenomena

4. Astronomy4. Astronomy

Study of the Study of the

position, composition position, composition

of stars, planets & other objectsof stars, planets & other objects

EarthEarth’’s 4 Spheress 4 Spheres

Geosphere/


I.I. Observation - Observation - Interaction of our Interaction of our senses.senses.

A.A. The five senses The five senses include:include:1.1. SightSight

2.2. HearingHearing

3.3. Touch/FeelTouch/Feel

4.4. TasteTaste

5.5. SmellSmell

How do Scientists Gather How do Scientists Gather Information?Information?


B. Testing your powers of B. Testing your powers of observation:observation:

1.1. Use only your Use only your sense of sight to sense of sight to make make observations to observations to determine:determine:

A.A. Which (if either) of Which (if either) of the two center the two center circles is largest or circles is largest or smallest.smallest.


Is this a young Is this a young woman or an old woman or an old woman?woman?


Our powers of observation are Our powers of observation are limited by our senses.limited by our senses.

C. C. InstrumentsInstruments – can be used to – can be used to improve or extend our powers of improve or extend our powers of observation. These devices have been observation. These devices have been invented by people to invented by people to extend the human senses beyond their normal limits, and thus enable us to make , and thus enable us to make observations that would otherwise be observations that would otherwise be impossible or highly inaccurate.impossible or highly inaccurate.


II. II. InferenceInference

An interpretation An interpretation or a conclusion or a conclusion (educated guess) (educated guess) based on based on observations. observations.

They may or may They may or may not be true.not be true.


A. For example, if you observed the A. For example, if you observed the appearance of more and more clouds that appearance of more and more clouds that were darker and darker in color, you might were darker and darker in color, you might

infer that:infer that:

It will rainIt will rain ThereThere’’s a storm s a storm

comingcoming

Read the statements in your notes and decide whether they are an observation or inference.


III. MeasurementIII. Measurement

A.A. A measurement is a way of expressing an A measurement is a way of expressing an observation with greater precision. It observation with greater precision. It provides a numerical value for some property provides a numerical value for some property of the object or the event being observed.of the object or the event being observed.

1.1. All measurements consist of: All measurements consist of: (a) (a) Numerical Numerical valuevalue

(b) (b) Label (units)Label (units)

2.2. Properties that can be measured include; length, area, Properties that can be measured include; length, area, volume, mass, weight, temperature, density, time, etc.volume, mass, weight, temperature, density, time, etc.


B. Linear Measurement (or B. Linear Measurement (or ““one dimensionaone dimensionall””) – ) – distance between two (2) pointsdistance between two (2) points

1.1. Instrument – Instrument – RulerRuler

2.2. Unit – MeterUnit – Metera)a) centi – 1/100 metercenti – 1/100 meter 100100 centimeters = 1 meter centimeters = 1 meter

b)b) milli – 1/1000 metermilli – 1/1000 meter 10001000 millimeters = 1 millimeters = 1 metermeter

c)c) kilo – 1000 meterskilo – 1000 meters 11 kilometer = 1000 meters kilometer = 1000 meters

Read and convert the model in your notes!


C. Mass – C. Mass – The amount of matter an The amount of matter an object possessesobject possesses

1.1. Instrument – Instrument – Triple-beam or electronic balanceTriple-beam or electronic balance

2.2. Units: (a) Units: (a) gramsgrams(b) (b) milligramsmilligrams


D. D. DensityDensity – – Concentration of matter in an object expressed in a ratio of mass percent

per unit volume


Blinding You With ScienceBlinding You With Science

Density

Density and your understanding of it is the key to understanding almost everything in Earth Science! It applies to:

Ocean Currents

Separation of spheres

Force behind plate tectonics

Movement of air and wind

IV. ErrorsIV. Errors Since all Since all

measurements are measurements are made by senses or by made by senses or by extensions of senses extensions of senses (instruments), they (instruments), they cannot be expected to cannot be expected to be be ““exactexact””. Therefore . Therefore a small margin of error a small margin of error is expected.is expected.



V.V. Nature of ChangeNature of Change The Earth environment is

in a constant state of change. These changes can be sudden, one time events (ex: Volcanic eruption) or cyclic (ex: Tides).

Dynamic Equilibrium Dynamic Equilibrium – – EarthEarth’’s tendency to try to s tendency to try to balance opposing forces.balance opposing forces.

VI. Methods of ScienceVI. Methods of Science

To answer questions, scientists use To answer questions, scientists use many approaches, but they all use many approaches, but they all use common steps – SCIENTIFIC METHODcommon steps – SCIENTIFIC METHOD

1.1. Problem/QuestionProblem/Question

Develop a question or problem that Develop a question or problem that can be solved through can be solved through experimentationexperimentation

2. 2. Observation/ResearchObservation/Research

Make observations and research Make observations and research your topic of interest.your topic of interest.

3. 3. HypothesisHypothesis Possible explanation for Possible explanation for the problem. the problem. - Must be testable!- Must be testable!- Example: - Example: If soil temperatures If soil temperatures rise, then plant growth rise, then plant growth will increase.will increase.

4. 4. ExperimentExperimentDevelop a procedure to Develop a procedure to test your hypothesis. test your hypothesis. Must be measurable Must be measurable (quantifiable).(quantifiable).

55. . Collect & Analyze ResultsCollect & Analyze Results- - DataData is information obtained is information obtained from from an experimentan experiment- Can disprove or prove a - Can disprove or prove a hypothesishypothesis- Include tables, graphs & - Include tables, graphs & photographs, numbers, photographs, numbers, descriptorsdescriptors

6.6. ConclusionConclusion- Statement that accepts or - Statement that accepts or rejects the hypothesis rejects the hypothesis

- Make recommendations for - Make recommendations for further studyfurther study

VII. Representing DataVII. Representing Data

GraphingGraphing- A visual representation of - A visual representation of data data collected in an collected in an experimentexperiment

1. 1. LineLine

Shows trends easilyShows trends easily

Experimental VariablesExperimental Variables1.1. IndependentIndependent Variable Variable

On theOn the XX axisaxis Intentionally manipulated variableIntentionally manipulated variable Ex: Time will be taken every 1 minute Ex: Time will be taken every 1 minute

beginning at T= 0beginning at T= 0

2.2. DependentDependent Variable Variable On the On the YY axis axis Factor that may change as a result of Factor that may change as a result of

changes made in the independent changes made in the independent variablevariable

Ex: Temperature of hot liquid after T= 20 Ex: Temperature of hot liquid after T= 20 minutes.minutes.

Direct Relationship - Both variables change in the same direction (both increase)


Ex: The effect of temperature on volume of gas


Inverse (Indirect) Inverse (Indirect) Relationship - Relationship - When one variable increases as the other decreases.

EX: Volume vs. Pressure on a gas

You would say as pressure increases, the volume of the gas decreases.


Cyclic changesCyclic changes: : involve events that repeat in time and space in an orderly

manner.

Ex: TidesEx: Tides


ExtrapolationExtrapolation• Making a prediction Making a prediction

about a future event about a future event based on the based on the graphed data.graphed data.

• The "trend" of the The "trend" of the data is extended data is extended past the last point past the last point given and an given and an estimate made of the estimate made of the

value.value.

2. 2. BarBar

Shows countsShows counts..

3. PieShows percent of a whole.


Graph Checklist

What Makes for a Good Graph?For a Good Graph, You Should Answer "Yes" to Every Question

Have you selected the appropriate graph type for the data you are displaying?

Yes / No

Does your graph have a title? Yes / No

Have you placed the independent variable on the x-axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis?

Yes / No

Have you labeled the axes correctly and specified the units of measurement?

Yes / No

Does your graph have the proper scale (the appropriate high and low values on the axes)?

Yes / No

Is your data plotted correctly and clearly? Yes / No

earth/environmental - introduction

Education

observation observation

zimmerman introduction

geologygeology study

oceanographyoceanography

human senses

powers ofb

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