What is Earth Science ?What is Earth Science ?

Since the beginning of human history, Since the beginning of human history, people have observed the world people have observed the world around them.around them. Early people forged myths and Early people forged myths and legends to explain natural forces legends to explain natural forces such as Volcano eruptions.such as Volcano eruptions. Not until careful observations and Not until careful observations and search for causes did the scientific search for causes did the scientific study of the Earth began.study of the Earth began.

The ancient Chinese in 780 B.C. The ancient Chinese in 780 B.C. began written records of Earth began written records of Earth Quakes.Quakes.The Mayas in Central Mexico kept The Mayas in Central Mexico kept tract of the movements Sun, Moon tract of the movements Sun, Moon and Planets.and Planets.

Earth Science was born with this this accumulated knowledgeEarth Science was born with this this accumulated knowledge

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What is Earth Science ?What is Earth Science ?

The ancient Chinese in 780 B.C. began The ancient Chinese in 780 B.C. began written records of Earth Quakes.written records of Earth Quakes.The Mayas in Central Mexico kept tract The Mayas in Central Mexico kept tract of the movements Sun, Moon and of the movements Sun, Moon and Planets. Planets.

Page 3 Mayan CulturePage 3 Mayan Culture

Earth Science was born with this this Earth Science was born with this this accumulated knowledgeaccumulated knowledge

What is Earth Science ?What is Earth Science ?

MeteorologyMeteorology – The study of the – The study of the Earth’s Atmosphere.Earth’s Atmosphere.

AstronomyAstronomy – The study of the – The study of the Universe. It is one of the oldest Universe. It is one of the oldest branches of Earth Science.branches of Earth Science.

What is Earth Science ?What is Earth Science ?AstronomyAstronomy – The study of the – The study of the Universe. It is one of the oldest Universe. It is one of the oldest branches of Earth Science.branches of Earth Science.

OceanographyOceanography – – Is the study of the Is the study of the World Oceans. Oceans cover ¾ of the World Oceans. Oceans cover ¾ of the

earths surface! earths surface!

Oceanography – Oceanography – Who likes Who likes seafood? .. No wetlands, no seafood? .. No wetlands, no

seafood!seafood!

GeologyGeology – – The study of the origin, The study of the origin, history, and structure of the solid earth history, and structure of the solid earth

and its related processand its related process..

Mars Photos – 1/5/2004 !!Mars Photos – 1/5/2004 !!

Space Sciences Mars Rover – Space Sciences Mars Rover – Spirit Jan 5, 2004 !Spirit Jan 5, 2004 !

The Importance of Earth ScienceThe Importance of Earth Science

Powerful forces are at work on the earth. Powerful forces are at work on the earth. Earthquakes reshape and rearranging Earthquakes reshape and rearranging

the landscape.the landscape.Floods – This year, Western North Floods – This year, Western North

Carolina has received an Carolina has received an overabundance of rainfall. How has overabundance of rainfall. How has this reshaped our environment?this reshaped our environment?

TornadosTornados

EcologyEcologyAn area in which Biology and Earth An area in which Biology and Earth

Science are closely linked.Science are closely linked.Ecologic Balance.Ecologic Balance.

Environmental PollutionEnvironmental PollutionProtecting the EnvironmentProtecting the Environment

EcologyEcology

• In the 1970’s, extensive research was In the 1970’s, extensive research was conducted on the ozone – Protected conducted on the ozone – Protected layer of the atmosphere was being layer of the atmosphere was being destroyed.destroyed.

• Reduction in this threat was Reduction in this threat was implemented by passing international implemented by passing international treaties. One treaty banned the use of treaties. One treaty banned the use of Chlorofluorocarbons.Chlorofluorocarbons.

Environmental PollutionEnvironmental Pollution

One serious threat to ecosystems One serious threat to ecosystems today is pollution. today is pollution. Air QualityAir QualityWater QualityWater Quality

Good News …. Technology and the Good News …. Technology and the ability to generate energy etc. using ability to generate energy etc. using new advancements. Electric Cars?new advancements. Electric Cars?

End 1.1End 1.1

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Paths to Discovery: Scientific MethodPaths to Discovery: Scientific MethodScientific MethodScientific Method – –

1. State the Problem1. State the Problem,, Scientific inquiry begins as a result of Scientific inquiry begins as a result of

observationobservation..

SightSightTouchTouchTasteTaste HearingHearing Smell. Smell.

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ObservationObservationGathering of InformationGathering of Information

MeasurementMeasurementGather Materials / ArtifactsGather Materials / Artifacts

InferringInferring – Guess about the cause – Guess about the cause of an observed event Cause is not of an observed event Cause is not observed directly, only the effectobserved directly, only the effect

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Scientific MethodScientific Method

2. Form a Hypothesis2. Form a Hypothesis

A Possible explanation or A Possible explanation or solution to the problemsolution to the problem

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Scientific MethodScientific Method

3. Make a prediction3. Make a prediction

Paths to Discovery: Scientific MethodPaths to Discovery: Scientific Method

3. Test the Hypothesis3. Test the Hypothesis

Experiment.Experiment.

Paths to Discovery: Scientific MethodPaths to Discovery: Scientific Method

State a ConclusionState a Conclusion

Paths to Discovery: Scientific MethodPaths to Discovery: Scientific Method

Process SkillsProcess Skills1.1. ObservingObserving – Gathering of information – Gathering of information

around us using the five senses.around us using the five senses.2.2. ClassifyingClassifying – arrangement of items – arrangement of items

according to some criteria such as according to some criteria such as size, shape, color.size, shape, color.

3.3. InferringInferring – Guess about the cause of – Guess about the cause of an observed event Cause is not an observed event Cause is not observed directly, only the effect. observed directly, only the effect.

Paths to Discovery: Scientific MethodPaths to Discovery: Scientific Method Process SkillsProcess Skills

4.4. Measuring Measuring – determination of length, mass, – determination of length, mass, volume, time or other dimensional quality by volume, time or other dimensional quality by comparison to a standard.comparison to a standard.

5.5. Predicting Predicting – projection of the outcome of a future – projection of the outcome of a future event.event.

1.1. Depends on observation, classification, and Depends on observation, classification, and inference.inference.

6.6. CommunicatingCommunicating – The transfer of ideas and – The transfer of ideas and informationinformation

1.1. Can use graphs, charts, maps, symbols, Can use graphs, charts, maps, symbols, diagramsdiagrams

2.2. Must be clear and concise.Must be clear and concise.

Paths to Discovery: Scientific MethodPaths to Discovery: Scientific Method

Metric MeasurementMetric Measurement Measurement is a Measurement is a

determination of determination of lengthlength, , massmass, , volumevolume, , timetime, or other dimensional , or other dimensional quantity by comparison to a quantity by comparison to a standardstandard

Birth of a theoryBirth of a theory

Theory Theory Once a hypothesis has been Once a hypothesis has been tested and generally accepted.tested and generally accepted.

Scientific LawScientific Law Once a theory is well Once a theory is well established through research and established through research and experimentation it may become LAW.experimentation it may become LAW.

Birth of a theoryBirth of a theory

Spectrum Spectrum Band of the various Band of the various colors of the spectrum, colors of the spectrum, discovered by Newton.discovered by Newton.

Wavelength Wavelength Light travels in Light travels in waves, Distance from one wave waves, Distance from one wave to the next.to the next.

Birth of a theoryBirth of a theoryDoppler Effect Doppler Effect The shift in the wavelengths The shift in the wavelengths

of energy emitted by an energy source of energy emitted by an energy source moving moving awayaway or or towardstowards an observer. an observer.

Spectroscope – Spectroscope – Scientists use this Scientists use this instrument in determining chemical instrument in determining chemical elements present in the stars.elements present in the stars.

Red Shift – Red Shift – Spectrum light is red, indicating Spectrum light is red, indicating low frequency and object traveling away.low frequency and object traveling away.

Birth of a theoryBirth of a theory

Background Radiation – Background Radiation – Low Low levels of energy evenly distributed levels of energy evenly distributed around the universe.around the universe.