Weekly Homework Assignment # 1
Reading Assignment:
- “Integrated Science”, Ch. 1, pg. 4-7: measurement systems, standard units for metric system, metric prefixes
- Posted article “Anyone Out There?” by G. Bignami
Short Answer Question(s):
- List and briefly explain two types of uncertainties (errors) that can be encountered during the data collection process.
As discussed in class:
1) systematic error: is a bias in your measurement method; systematic shift of the mean (average) in one direction or another. It can be eliminated once the source of the error has been identified and corrected for by changing the measurement method.
2) random error: is due to “random” perturbations in your measurement;
intrinsic variability that comes from taking independent measurements. It cannot be eliminated, it can only be minimized by increasing the number of the independent measurements.
Multiple Choice Questions:
- Which of the following would NOT be considered raw data?
a)A dictionary definition of a word.
b)A measurement of water temperature on a river gauge.
c)A satellite image of a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean.
d)Latitude and longitude coordinates of the location of a certain tree species.
Answer is a)
- When scientists develop explanations for their observations and data, they
a) shouldn't use their intuition.
b) avoid making assumptions.
c) use their background knowledge.
d) try not to be creative.
Answer is c)
- A group of scientists are preparing their work for publication. Although they collected 100 data points, they only used 87 of them in the final analysis. Which of the following approaches should they take in publishing their data?
a) They should publish all the data and describe why they did not use some data.
b) They should publish all the data and let the reader determine why they did not use some data.
c) They should publish only the data included in their analysis and explain that they eliminated some.
d) They should publish only the data included in their analysis and not mention additional data.
Answer is a)
- In order to provide realistic output, scientific models:
a) incorporate all known variables in the real world.
b) must be accurate physical representations of a system.
c) use equations to describe every process within a system.
d) simplify the real world where appropriate.
Answer is d)
- Vilhelm Bjerknes saw no intractable mathematical difficulties with predicting the weather, and many numerical models have been built since he wrote those words in 1904. Even with the best of those models, our weather predictions are still frequently incorrect. Why?
a) Bjerknes was wrong: the math is too complicated.
b) Not all aspects of weather can be described mathematically.
c) We don’t have fast enough computers to do the calculations in time.
d) The weather system is very complex: small changes in variables can have big effects.
Answer is d)