Chapter

11Introduction to Earth Science

Science

What Is Science?

Is a way of learning about the natural world and the knowledge gained by that process• Science is dynamic

• Changes: Smallest particle; No longer a planet; Dinosaurs; kingdoms(started w/2 now 6)

(Dynamic means?) CHANGES

• WHY?

Overview of Earth Science

What Is Earth Science?

Encompasses all sciences that seek to understand

• Earth

• Earth's neighbors in space

Overview of Earth Science Earth science includes

4. astronomy, the study of the universe

3. meteorology, the study of the atmosphere and the processes that produce weather

1. geology, the study of Earth

2. oceanography, the study of the ocean

What Is Earth Science?

5. Environmental science, study of earth’s environment & resources and human’s impact on them

Ecology Ecology - an interdisciplinary field that

includes Biology and Earth science  Ecosystems are composed of dynamically

interacting parts including organisms, the communities they make up, and the non-living components of their environment.  

How Is Earth Science & Ecology Releted?

Spheres1. Lithosphere – solid rocky outer layerCrust and upper mantleContinents, islands, ocean floor

Four Spheres – divisions of Earth

2. AtmosphereGases surrounding the earthMostly made up of N2 + O2

Spheres3. Hydrosphere all bodies of water and ice (glaciers)

Four Spheres – divisions of Earth

4. BiosphereArea where all living things are foundCrosses into other 3 spheres

Science

What Is Scientific Inquiry?

Science assumes the natural world is

• consistent

• predictable

Goals of science are

• to use the knowledge to predict

• to discover patterns in nature

What Is Scientific Inquiry?

Scientific Method

• Formulate hypotheses

• Gather facts through observation

• Test hypotheses to formulate theories

Science Methods

What Is Scientific Inquiry?

Scientific knowledge is gained through• following systematic steps

1. Observation/Questioning - Collecting facts

• theories that withstand examination • totally unexpected occurrences

2. Developing a hypothesis

3. Conducting experiments 4. Data Analysis5. Conclusion

Hypothesis

Scientific Method

Hypothesis - an prediction of the possible outcome of an experiment based upon prior research and observation by the scientist.

tentative or untested explanation

Theory Theory -  a coherent explanation for a

large number of facts and observations about the natural world.

tested, confirmed, supported hypothesis

Scientific Method

Theory (con’t) Internally consistent and compatible with

the evidence. Firmly grounded in and based upon

evidence Tested against a wide range of

phenomena Demonstrably effective in problem-

solving

Scientific Method

Law a description of a natural phenomenon

or principle that invariably holds true under specific conditions and will occur under certain circumstances.

To become a Law a theory must be proven correct every time it is tested.

Observation & Inference

ObservationUsing 5 senses – taste, touch, smell, see, hearStates something basic – color, shape, feel, transparencyInferenceAn interaction based on your observations and prior knowledge

I.E. cause, use, composition, prediction

Measurements

LengthSI Unit: meterEquipment: meter stickVolumeAmount of space an object takes upSI Unit: literEquipment: graduated cylinder

Regular Solid – sides are flat Volume: V = L x W x H SI Unit: cm3

Are MASS & WEIGHT the same thing?

16

MassAmount of matter in an objectSI Unit: KilogramEquipment: Triple beam balanceWeightForce with which gravity pulls an object towards the center of the EarthSI Unit: Newton

1 Kg = 10 Newtons = 2.2 lbs.

Density

17

Density =Mass

Volume

DensityThe relationship of mass and volume in an object

Accuracy, Precision, and Error

It is necessary to make good, reliable measurements in the lab

Accuracy – how close a measurement is to the true value

Precision – how close the measurements are to each other (reproducibility)

Precision and Accuracy

Neither accurate

nor precise

Precise, but not

accurate

Precise AND

accurate

19

Accuracy, Precision, and Error

20

Accepted value = the correct value based on reliable references

Experimental value = the value measured in the lab

Accuracy, Precision, & Deviation

21

Deviation= accepted value – exp. value Can be positive or negative

Percent Deviation= the absolute value of the deviation divided by the accepted value, then multiplied by 100%

| deviation |

accepted value% deviation = x 100%

GRAPHING

22

Line Graph

X-axis – independent variable

Y-axis – dependent variable

Graphing Relationships

23

• direct linear relationship - when the values of x and y increase

Graphing Relationships

24

• direct nonlinear relationship - when the curve slopes upward from left to right

Graphing Relationships

25

• inverse linear relationship - when x increases and y decreases

Graphing Relationships

26

• inverse nonlinear relationship - when the value of y decreases quickly as x increases

Rate of Change

27

Rate of ChangeHow fast or how slow something changesThe change that takes place over time

RATE =

Final - Initial

TIME