Ecology Unit 1Ecology Unit 1

What is Science?What is Science?

Ecology Unit 1 Vocabulary Ecology Unit 1 Vocabulary (vocab section of notebook)(vocab section of notebook)

1.1. Scientific MethodScientific Method

2.2. ControlControl

3.3. VariableVariable

4.4. Independent VariableIndependent Variable

5.5. Dependent VariableDependent Variable

6.6. EvidenceEvidence

Science is the Science is the process of asking process of asking questions and questions and seeking their answers seeking their answers to better understand to better understand the natural world.the natural world.

Science can be Science can be separated into 3 separated into 3 major fields…major fields…

Life ScienceLife Science

Biology (life)Biology (life) Zoology (animals)Zoology (animals) Botany (plants)Botany (plants) Ecology (ecosystems/environment)Ecology (ecosystems/environment)

Earth ScienceEarth Science

Geology (earth)Geology (earth) Meteorology (atmosphere)Meteorology (atmosphere) Astronomy (space)Astronomy (space)

Physical SciencePhysical Science

Chemistry (matter)Chemistry (matter) Physics (forces and energy)Physics (forces and energy)

Important Science SkillsImportant Science Skills

Two of the most important Two of the most important procedures/skills in all branches of procedures/skills in all branches of science are OBSERVATION and science are OBSERVATION and INFERENCE.INFERENCE.

ObservationObservation

Something we can sense (touch, see, Something we can sense (touch, see, taste, smell, hear)taste, smell, hear)

Mr. Mount looks nice today.Mr. Mount looks nice today.

InferenceInference

A conclusion or prediction we make A conclusion or prediction we make based on an observation(s).based on an observation(s).

He must have a hot date tonight.He must have a hot date tonight.

What are some observations you can What are some observations you can make about this room? Mr. Brownrigg? make about this room? Mr. Brownrigg? Mr. Mount?Mr. Mount?

What are some inferences you can make What are some inferences you can make about them?about them?

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

The scientific method is an organized, The scientific method is an organized, step-by-step approach to problem solving step-by-step approach to problem solving in sciencein science

There are 5 steps when you break it There are 5 steps when you break it down to its simplest form.down to its simplest form.

Step 1: Question ?Step 1: Question ?

The 1The 1stst step is to formulate a question step is to formulate a question based on observations.based on observations.

Figure out what it is you want to know.Figure out what it is you want to know. Research to find out if other studies have Research to find out if other studies have

been done on your question.been done on your question. Many research tools are available (scientific Many research tools are available (scientific

journals, books, periodicals, news media, journals, books, periodicals, news media, and the internet)and the internet)

Step 2: HypothesisStep 2: Hypothesis

After observing and researching your After observing and researching your question you need to form a hypothesis.question you need to form a hypothesis. Best guess/explanation as to the reasons for Best guess/explanation as to the reasons for

your observations.your observations.

Step 3: ExperimentStep 3: Experiment

Design an Design an experiment to test experiment to test your hypothesis.your hypothesis.

Experiments must be Experiments must be “fair” (control, “fair” (control, independent variable, independent variable, dependent variable)dependent variable)

Experiments must Experiments must also be repeatable.also be repeatable.

Step 4: Collect DataStep 4: Collect Data

Data is information.Data is information. Record observations during your Record observations during your

experiment.experiment. When you record this information it When you record this information it

makes it easier to stay organized and makes it easier to stay organized and also to repeat your experiment later.also to repeat your experiment later.

Step 5: ConclusionStep 5: Conclusion

When all of your data is collected you need to When all of your data is collected you need to come up with a conclusion.come up with a conclusion.

A conclusion is where you decide if your A conclusion is where you decide if your hypothesis was correct (supported) or not.hypothesis was correct (supported) or not.

If it was not supported then you can test it If it was not supported then you can test it again, or form a new one and design a new again, or form a new one and design a new experiment.experiment.

Sometimes new questions come up during an Sometimes new questions come up during an experiment that can lead to the whole process experiment that can lead to the whole process starting again.starting again.

TheoryTheory

A scientific theory is a A scientific theory is a detailed explanation of a detailed explanation of a question that has withstood question that has withstood repeated testing.repeated testing.

Scientist use theories to Scientist use theories to provide a general provide a general explanation to similar explanation to similar questions.questions.

Theories are often revised Theories are often revised as technology improves as technology improves and new observations are and new observations are made.made.

Using GraphsUsing Graphs

Graphs are used to help us organize and Graphs are used to help us organize and illustrate data collected during an illustrate data collected during an experiment.experiment.

There are 3 main kinds of graphs:There are 3 main kinds of graphs: Line graphsLine graphs Bar graphsBar graphs Pie/circle graphsPie/circle graphs

Line GraphsLine Graphs

Line graphs are used to show the Line graphs are used to show the relationship between two variables relationship between two variables (independent and dependent).(independent and dependent).

Many times line graphs show change Many times line graphs show change over time.over time.

Bar GraphsBar Graphs

Bar graphs are best used to show Bar graphs are best used to show comparisons.comparisons.

In a bar graph only the y-axis (vertical) is In a bar graph only the y-axis (vertical) is quantitative (has numbers).quantitative (has numbers).

Pie GraphsPie Graphs

Pie/circle graphs are best used to show Pie/circle graphs are best used to show percentages.percentages.

Being a SkepticBeing a Skeptic

In science it is important for conclusions In science it is important for conclusions to be valid (trustworthy).to be valid (trustworthy). Example: 4 out of 5 dentists recommend Example: 4 out of 5 dentists recommend

sugarless gum.sugarless gum. Do we actually know how many dentists Do we actually know how many dentists

were asked? Was it 5 or 5000?were asked? Was it 5 or 5000? Which would be more valid?Which would be more valid?

Scientific MeasurementsScientific Measurements

Many tools are used to make Many tools are used to make measurements in science.measurements in science.

What are some examples?What are some examples?

Making Precise Making Precise MeasurementsMeasurements

Measurements in science need to be Measurements in science need to be precise (as correct as possible).precise (as correct as possible). Which measurement is more precise? 2 cm, Which measurement is more precise? 2 cm,

3.4 kg, or 5.23 ml3.4 kg, or 5.23 ml 5.23 ml is more precise because it shows 5.23 ml is more precise because it shows

measurement to the nearest .01, whereas measurement to the nearest .01, whereas the others only show to the nearest .1 and 1.the others only show to the nearest .1 and 1.

Significant FiguresSignificant Figures

All of the measured places and one All of the measured places and one estimated place are considered estimated place are considered significant figures.significant figures.

What is the difference between What is the difference between measurements of 186 grams and 186.0 measurements of 186 grams and 186.0 grams?grams?

186.0 grams is more precise because it 186.0 grams is more precise because it has more significant figures.has more significant figures.

Rules for Sig FigsRules for Sig Figs

1. All nonzero digits are significant.1. All nonzero digits are significant. 2. Any zero located between nonzero digits is 2. Any zero located between nonzero digits is

significant.significant. 3. Leading zeros: Zeros to the left of all 3. Leading zeros: Zeros to the left of all

nonzero digits, are never significant.nonzero digits, are never significant. 4. Trailing zeros: Zeros to the right of all 4. Trailing zeros: Zeros to the right of all

nonzero digits, are significant, if and only if a nonzero digits, are significant, if and only if a decimal point appears anywhere in the decimal point appears anywhere in the number.number.

Calculating using Sig FigsCalculating using Sig Figs

When making calculations answers must be When making calculations answers must be rounded off to the number of significant figures rounded off to the number of significant figures found in the “least precise measurement.”found in the “least precise measurement.” Example: To find the volume of a box that is 12.82 Example: To find the volume of a box that is 12.82

cm long, 2.13 cm wide, and 1.86 cm high.cm long, 2.13 cm wide, and 1.86 cm high. 12.82 X 2.13 X 1.86 = 50.79027612.82 X 2.13 X 1.86 = 50.790276 Answer must be rounded to 3 sig figs…so 50.8 cmAnswer must be rounded to 3 sig figs…so 50.8 cm33