Chapter 2: Nature of ScienceChapter 2: Nature of Science

Chapter 2.1Chapter 2.1

The Scientist’s MindThe Scientist’s Mind

3 Scientists, 3 Individuals3 Scientists, 3 Individuals

Carl Sagan – a noted astronomer – Carl Sagan – a noted astronomer – popularized science through books and popularized science through books and TV.TV.

Enriqueta Barrera became interested in Enriqueta Barrera became interested in local geology while taking walks. Now local geology while taking walks. Now the director of Geology at National the director of Geology at National Science FoundationScience Foundation

Evan Forde – 1Evan Forde – 1stst African American in the African American in the Alvin (submersible sub.)Alvin (submersible sub.)

All 3 scientists became Earth Scientists All 3 scientists became Earth Scientists due to curiositydue to curiosity

Different lives common GoalsDifferent lives common Goals

Scientists will teach research in Scientists will teach research in labs or out in nature, on or in labs or out in nature, on or in oceans.oceans.

Scientists look at the world in Scientists look at the world in both logic and curiosity.both logic and curiosity.

Qualities of Scientific Qualities of Scientific ThinkingThinking

Scientists are observant they Scientists are observant they make predictions based on make predictions based on evidence (materials or data that evidence (materials or data that can be measured and tested to can be measured and tested to verify a prediction)verify a prediction)

Hypothesis a tentative Hypothesis a tentative explanation for an observation of explanation for an observation of phenomenonphenomenon

Must be skeptical they question Must be skeptical they question long-held assumptions and try to long-held assumptions and try to prove or disprove ideasprove or disprove ideas

Technology is the practical Technology is the practical application of science to meet application of science to meet human needs.human needs.

The object of scientific study is The object of scientific study is to understand the natural world.to understand the natural world.

Chapter 2.2Chapter 2.2

Scientific Methods of InquiryScientific Methods of Inquiry

Creativity plays a large role in Creativity plays a large role in science along with logicscience along with logic

Being able to test ideas with Being able to test ideas with experiments is the key to much experiments is the key to much of scienceof science

How scientists approach How scientists approach questionsquestions

Scientific Inquiry - which Scientific Inquiry - which involves observing, asking involves observing, asking questions, forming a hypothesis, questions, forming a hypothesis, gathering data testing the gathering data testing the hypothesis, and sharing what hypothesis, and sharing what has been learnedhas been learned

Peer Review and Scientific Peer Review and Scientific JournalsJournals

After the experiment the new knowledge After the experiment the new knowledge needs to be shared with and tested by needs to be shared with and tested by other scientistsother scientists

To share the knowledge Scientific To share the knowledge Scientific Journals are usedJournals are used

If the experts agree the paper has merit, If the experts agree the paper has merit, it my be publishedit my be published

If the experts feel the scientist has not If the experts feel the scientist has not done enough to prove her point it is not done enough to prove her point it is not published and sent back with published and sent back with suggestionssuggestions

Importance of testing IdeasImportance of testing Ideas

Some advances that look Some advances that look promising fall short when tested promising fall short when tested – E.g. cold fusion H+H = HeE.g. cold fusion H+H = He

Scientific Theories and LawsScientific Theories and Laws

Theory is an explanation of Theory is an explanation of observable events or facts for which observable events or facts for which no exception has been foundno exception has been found

Theories rise and fall from favor and Theories rise and fall from favor and new information comes to light.new information comes to light.

Scientific law – a re generalizations Scientific law – a re generalizations about how the natural world about how the natural world behaves under certain conditionsbehaves under certain conditions– No exceptions have ever been foundNo exceptions have ever been found

Chapter 2.3Chapter 2.3

Scientists ToolsScientists Tools

GeologyGeology

Rock hammer used to collect Rock hammer used to collect specimens in the fieldspecimens in the field

Soil augers – pulls up a sample of Soil augers – pulls up a sample of soilsoil

Crushers – to pulverize materials to Crushers – to pulverize materials to studystudy

Range finders – distanceRange finders – distance

Seismographs – to determine Seismographs – to determine composition of rock below groundcomposition of rock below ground

Tools to study Sky and StarsTools to study Sky and Stars

MeteorologistMeteorologist– ThermometersThermometers– Arco vane – wind speed and directionArco vane – wind speed and direction– Radar and satellitesRadar and satellites

AstronomerAstronomer– Telescopes - light, radio, x-rays, infraredTelescopes - light, radio, x-rays, infrared

Tools with many usesTools with many uses

Computers and satellites have Computers and satellites have revolutionized earth sciencerevolutionized earth science