Ch 1-Introduction to Earth Science

• Objectives– Describe the 2 cultures that contributed to modern

scientific study– Name the 4 branches of Earth Science– Discuss how Earth Scientists help us understand the

world around us– Identify the steps that make up scientific methods– Analyze how scientific thought changes as new info is

collected– Explain how science affects society

Scientific Study of Earth

• What is Earth Science?– Study of Earth and the universe around it– Explain what makes up Earth

• Chinese-Earthquakes in 780 BC

• Greeks-Rocks and minerals about 200 BC

• Maya-Movements of sun, moon, planets, created calendars

4 Branches of Earth Science

• What has made observations and knowledge of Earth Science more possible?– Technology– How?

• Geology– Study of the origin, history processes, and

structure of solid Earth– What exactly do they study?

• Oceanography– Study of Earth’s oceans– How much of Earth’s surface does oceans actually

cover?• Meteorology

– Study of Earth’s atmosphere– How do scientists do this?

• Astronomy– Study of universe beyond Earth– One of oldest branches of Earth Science

• Environmental Science-Study of how humans interact w/ their environment, study of natural resources, pollution, health of plant and animal species on Earth, study effects of industries and technologies on environment

Importance of Earth Science

• Why is Earth Science important?– Predict potential disasters– By studying rock layers, Geologists have

found clues to Earth’s past environments and to evolution of life on planet

– Help gain access to Earth’s resources

Sec 2: Science as Process

• What is the scientific method?– A way to ask and answer scientific questions

by making observations and doing experiments

• Steps that make up scientific methods– Ask a question-about something that you observe:

How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where?– In order for the scientific method to answer the

question it must be about something that you can measure, preferably with a number

– Collect observations using senses

• Construct a hypothesis-an educated guess about how things work– If _______ (I do this)_______, than _(this)__ will

happen– You must state your hypothesis in a way that you can

easily measure, your hypothesis should be constructed in a way to help you answer your original question

– The quantities that are measured are called variables-any factor, trait, or condition that exist in differing amounts or types

• Independent, dependent, controlled

• Independent variable-the one that is changed or manipulated by the scientist– Must be measurable, changeable

• Dependent variable-variable depends and changes based on what happens with independent variable– Must be measurable

• Controlled variables-quantities that must remain constant for an accurate experiment– Most experiments have more than one controlled

variable, also known as constant variables• Control group- group that serves as a standard of

comparison with another group to which the control group is identical except for one factor

• Lets set up a scientific method problem

• Test your hypothesis by doing an experiment– Experimental group and control group– Hypothesis true or false– Important for it to be fair test– Repeat experiment several times. Why?

• Analyze your data and draw a conclusion– Collect measurements and analyze them to

see if hypothesis is true or false– If false, construct new hypothesis

• Share results

Acceptance of Scientific Ideas

• Scientists present work in scientific journals or professional meetings, published online– What if there is an error or mistake in work?

• Peer review

• What is a theory?– Explanation that is consistent w/ all existing

tests and observations, based on scientific laws

How science affects society

• Science is used to develop new technologies, new tools, machines, material processes, positive and negative effects