Branches of Earth Science

Meteorology – the study of the Earth’s atmosphere (weather, climate)

person: meteorologist

tools: wind vane – wind direction

barometer – air pressure

Geology – the study of the origin, history, processes, and structure of the solid Earth (rocks, lithosphere)

person: geologist

tools: rock pick – collect samples

seismograph – detect earthquakes

Oceanography – the study of the Earth’s oceans (salt water)

person: oceanographer

tools: nets – collect life forms

sonar – water depth

Astronomy – the study of the universe beyond the Earth (planets, stars)

person: astronomer

tools: telescope – view far away objects

spectrum – temperature of stars

Hydrology – the study of the fresh water on Earth (lakes, rivers)

person = hydrologist

tools: pH kit – test the acidity of the water

flow meter – water speed

1.2 Science as a Process

Scientific method(s) – a series of steps used to solve a problem; strategies

Step 1 – Make observations

Observation – the process of using the senses of sight, touch, taste, hearing, and smell to gather information about the world

Step 2 – Ask a question

Step 3 – Form a hypothesis

Hypothesis – a possible explanation or solution to a problem; a testable idea or explanation that leads to scientific investigation

Step 4 – Test the hypothesis

Experiment – a scientific test designed to give data under carefully controlled conditions

Independent variable – factors that are changed by the person performing the experiment

Dependent variable – changes as a result of manipulation of one or more other factors

Control – a standard set of items/materials for comparison

Step 5 – Draw conclusions

Data – measurements and events observed and recorded by a scientist

Quantitative data – data that can be measured or counted (quantity)

Qualitative data – data that describes a quality (ex.: sweetness, loudness, etc.)

Later step – Report results/conclusions

Scientific Measurements and Analysis

World-wide system of measurement: International System of Units (SI)

~Also known as the metric system, in which the number 10 is the base unit.

All science measurements are done using SI units or metric

Quantitative data – data that can be measured or counted (quantity)

Qualitative data – data that describes a quality (ex.: sweetness, loudness, etc.)

In the USA we use two methods of measurement: English System and SI

Measuring Length

English System – inch, foot, mile

12 inches = 1 foot

3 feet = 1 yard

5280 feet = 1 mile

Metric System – millimeter, centimeter, meter, kilometer

10 millimeters = 1 centimeter

100 centimeters = 1 meter

1000 meters = 1 kilometer

milli = one thousandth (1/1000)

centi = one hundredth (1/100)

kilo = one thousand (1000)

Measuring Volume (the amount of space something takes up) “liquids”

English system – ounces, pints, quarts, gallons

16 oz. = 1 pint

2 pints = 1 quart

4 quarts = 1 gallon

Metric system – milliliters, centiliters, liter, kiloliter

10 milliliters = 1 centiliter

100 centiliters = 1 liter

1000 milliliters = 1 liter

1000 liters = 1 kiloliter

Measuring mass (the amount of matter an object contains)

We measure mass by using a balance with standard weight units

Weight – a measure of the gravitational force on a mass

English system: ounces, pounds and tons

16 oz. = 1 pound

2000 lbs. = 1 ton

Metric system: milligram, centigram, gram, kilogram

10 g = 1 centigram

1000 mg = gram

1000 g = 1 kilogram

Measuring Temperature

English system – Fahrenheit scale

Water freezes/melts at 32° F

Water boils/condenses at 212° F

Average body temperature is 98.6° F

Metric system – Celsius and Kelvin scales

Water freezes/melts at 0° C

Water boils/condenses at 100° C

Average body temperature is 37° C

~to change from Celsius to Kelvin, add 273

freezing = 273K boiling = 373K

Accuracy – how close a measurement is to the true value of what is being measured

Precision – the exactness of the measurement

Error – the amount of imprecision or variation in a set of measurement

Confidence interval – the range of values for a set percentage of measurements

Model – a description, representation or imitation of an object, system, process or concept

Acceptance of Scientific Ideas

Peer review – the process in which several experts on a given topic review another experts’ work on that topic before the work gets published (bias, accuracy, possible improvements)

Theory – an explanation that is consistent will all existing tests and observations

Scientific law – general statement that describes how the natural world behaves under certain conditions

Technology – the use of scientific discoveries

Technology is constantly changing, which has a drastic effect on life and our world.

“Human goal to improve”

Everywhere you look you can see how science and technology have changed our world:

~robots, computers, calculators, TV, etc.

~music and technology changes: AM/FM, reel to reel tape recorders, records (LP’s), 8 track tapes, cassette tapes, CD’s and DVD’s

~phones: rotary, touch-tone, cordless, cellular

~computers: from the size of buildings, to table top, to laptop, to handheld

~computer disks: floppy 5¼”, 3¼”, 3¼”hd, zip disk, CD’s, thumb drive

~calculators smaller and cheaper

Technology is transferable – this means that it can be applied to new situations

ex.: radar and sonar – first military, then used in astronomy to map planets, meteorology to map rainfall, in oceanography to measure the depth of the oceans, and in biology to track endangered species

Technology can be:

Helpful / Harmful
Predict weather / Cause pollution
Better transportation / Take away jobs
Find new resources / Change too fast

Chapter 1 Notes: Page 1 of 14