GeoscienceUnit 1 – Foundations of Geoscience, Metric System and Earth Chemistry

Earth Science/Geoscience

What is it?Why should we study it?

Who am I and what does Geoscience have to do with it?

Read and highlight the handout “Why Earth Science?” Answer the following questions (minimum

4-5 sentences per question):1. Who you are as a person? Tell me about yourself.2. How does earth science affect you personally? 3. What you are most interested in learning about this year and why?

Careers related to Earth Science If I love Geoscience, what kind of job

could I get?

Homework: Research and list 15 different careers related to geoscience/earth science. Write one brief sentence for each describing what the job entails.

Some more class foundationsReview class/course

expectationsGet to know your textbook

Class foundations continuedShape Up!Group textbook scavenger

hunt

Scientific MethodUnit One: Scientific Method

How Do Scientists Study?

Scientific Inquiry always begins with…….

OBSERVATION

What is science? Have you ever had a question about how

something works?- If you answered yes to this questions than you

have behaved in a similar manner as a scientist. Science is about understanding how the universe

works and the reasons for why things work the way they do. Science is a body of knowledge and an organized method for finding answers to problems.

Why is Las Vegas so hot and dry? Why are some lavas that erupt smooth and flat,

and others are round and pillow-like?

The Scientific Method

The process by which a scientist finds an explanation to an event.

It is ONE way of approaching and solving a problem, or answering a question, that is logical and straightforward and can be applied to both everyday situations and specialized research topics.

Steps to the Scientific Method Ask a Question Do Background Research Construct a Hypothesis Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an

Experiment Analyze Your Data and Draw a

Conclusion Communicate Your Results

Steps to the scientific method Question: What is your purpose? Research: What is already known about

this topic? Hypothesis: Based on your research what

do you predict is going to happen. Experiment: Test your predictions. Analyze: Analyze your Data Conclusion: Make the simplest conclusion

possible based on the analysis of your data

Must be able to test a hypothesis!!!! A scientific hypothesis must be testable! This means there must be a way to

prove the hypothesis wrong

Are these scientific hypotheses?1. Atoms are the smallest particle of

matter.2. The universe is surrounded by a

second universe, the existence of which cannot be detected by scientists.

3. The Incredible Hulk is the best super-hero ever in the world.

A hypothesis that is tested over and over without being contradicted can become a law or principle. All other competing hypotheses must be eliminated for this to occur!

If a scientist finds evidence that contradicts a hypothesis, law, or principle, then the law, hypothesis or principle must be changed or abandoned.

Scientists must accept their findings even if they would like them to be different.

Experiments In experiments we have a control and 2

types of variables Control is an trial of the experiment that

is closest to the natural conditions Independent variable is the variable

the scientists manipulates. Dependant variable results from the

manipulation of the experiment

How Do Scientists Study?

Scientific Inquiry always begins with…….

OBSERVATION

It is also an important part of an experiment.

VOCABULARY

OBSERVATION – use of the senses to gather and record information about structures or processes in nature

OBSERVATION

QUALITATIVE OBSERVATION – descriptive explanation of quality of something such as shape, color, texture….

Red dot, Oval shaped, Smooth surface

OBSERVATIONQUANTITATIVE OBSERVATION – of, relating to or involving the measurement of quantity or amountDATA!!!

Mass (50 g), Volume (35 mL),Temperature (25 degrees C), Time (2 hr)

Scientific Measurement

Collecting data often requires measurement…What can you measure?

Length (distance) Volume Mass (weight) Temperature Time

What is Earth Science? Earth Science is the name for the group of sciences

that deals with Earth and its neighbors in space 4 areas of study Geology: Study of Earth, its matter, and the

processes that form and change Earth Physical Geology- Study of materials that make up Earth

and forces that shape the planet Historical Geology- Study of physical and biological

changes of our planet over time Meteorology: Study of weather and the forces

and processes that cause it. Astronomy: Study of objects in space Oceanography: Study of the Earth’s oceans

Formation of the Earth Earth is one of ? planets in our solar

system Earth is believed by scientists to have

formed at the same time as the other planets. Nebular hypothesis- Earth formed from an

enormous rotating cloud called the solar nebula. This cloud was made up of mostly hydrogen and helium and very few heavier elements.

Density Stratification Over time the heavier elements sank

into the core of the Earth while the lighter, less dense materials floated toward the surface

This led to the division of layers within the Earth system

Earth’s Four Spheres Hydrosphere- The water portion of our

planet Atmosphere- The gaseous portion of our

planet Geosphere- The rocky solid portion of

our planet Further divided into- the core, mantle, and

crust Biosphere-Includes all life on Earth

Layers of the Earth

Forces That affect our Earth Destructive Forces- weathering and

erosion work to wear away high points and flatten out the surface

Constructive Forces- mountain building and volcanism build up the surface by raising the land and depositing new material in the form of lava

Earth as a System System can be any size group of interacting parts

that form a complex whole Earth system is powered by 2 sources

One is the sun- which drives the external processes that occur in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and at Earth’s surface

Second is Earth’s Interior- heat remains in the core and mantle of the Earth from the time it was formed

QUESTIONS?

ObservationsAn observation is the gathering of information by using our five senses:

Sight Smell Hearing Taste Touch

There are two types of observations: Qualitative quantitative

OBSERVATION

QUALITATIVE OBSERVATION – descriptive explanation of quality of something such as shape, color, texture….

Red dot, Oval shaped, Smooth surface

OBSERVATIONQUANTITATIVE OBSERVATION – of, relating to or involving the measurement of quantity or amountDATA!!!

Mass (50 g), Volume (35 mL),Temperature (25 degrees C), Time (2 hr)

Which is better? Both types of observations are valuable in

science. In an experiment though, quantitative observations can be precisely and objectively compared.

Qualitative: The road is long. (describes) Quantitative: The road is 5 km long. (measures)

Some things are easier to quantify than others. Scientists use innovative ways of turning qualitative to quantitative.

Inferences Inferences are an explanation for an

observation that you have made. They are based on your past

experiences and prior knowledge. Inferences are often changed when new

observations are made. Again, observations are information we

gather directly through our five senses….inferences help explain these observations.

Here are some examples!! Observation: The grass on the school’s front lawn

is wet.

Possible Inferences: It rained. The sprinler was on. There is dew on the grass from the morning. A dog urinated on the grass!

All of these inferences could possible explain why the grass is wet. They are all based on prior experiences. We have all seen rain, sprinklers, morning dew, and dogs going to the bathroom.

Here are some examples!! Observation: The school alarm is going

off.

Possible Inferences: The school is on fire. We are having a fire drill. A student pulled the fire alarm.

Again, these are all logical explanations for why the fire alarm is going off.

Metric System

Scientific Measurement

Collecting data often requires measurement…What can you measure?

Length (distance) Volume Mass (weight) Temperature Time

History At the end of the 18th century in France,

scientists created the metric system. It was designed with several features in mind.

1. that each type of measurement (mass, volume, and length) would only have one unit; for example, length would be measured in meters instead of in feet, inches, rods, ells, hands, or any other specialized measures that may or may not be easy to convert between

2. the metric system would be based on units of 10 for easy conversions

Who uses the Metric System?SCIENTISTS (and science students)Almost every country EXCEPT the United

States. The US uses the English unit of measurement which is

based on the lengths, weights, areas and volumes of everyday objects.

Using the same system of measurement gives scientists a common language.

·    In 1960 at the International Convention, the metric system was adopted as the “International system of Units” or SI.

·    SI is based on units of ten.

Length The basic unit of length in the

metric system is the meter (m) The meter is = to 39.4 inches

Volume Volume is the amount of space an object

takes up. The basic unit of volume is the liter (L)

The liter is usually used for measuring the volume of liquids

The volume of solids can be measured in cubic centimeters (cc or cm3) = a cube

that measures 1cm x 1cm x 1cm 1cc is exactly equal to in volume to 1 ml

Mass Mass is a measure of the amount of

matter in an object The basic unit of mass is the gram

(g)

Weight Weight is a measure of the

attraction between two objects due to gravity

Your weight on another planet may differ due to the amount of gravity, however your mass will always be the same

Density The relationship between mass and

volume is called density Density is defined as the mass per

unit volume of a substance. Density = Mass

Volume

Density Practice Problem A carton of milk weighs 1000 grams and

takes up 100cm3 of space, what is it’s density? DON’T FORGET YOUR UNITS!!

Density = Mass = 1000g = 10 g/cm3 Volume 100cm3

Temperature In the metric system, temperature is

measured on the Celsius scale. On this temperature scale, water

freezes at 0o C and boils at 100oC. The metric system was set in such a

way that there was exactly 100 degrees between freezing and boiling point of water.

Normal body temperature is 37oC. Room temperature is about 21oC.

Metric Prefixes used in Conversion

How can you remember this?

How do you convert from one unit to another? For every space that you move you

move the decimal one place to the left or the right

K – H – Da - - d – c - mK – H – Da - - d – c - m

A Sample Problem…

3.45 Kg = _____g

K – H – D - - d – c - mK – H – D - - d – c - m1 2 3

3450.

Another Sample Problem

756 ml = ______L

K – H – D - - d – c - mK – H – D - - d – c - m123

.756

Dimensional Analysis

Dimensional Analysis is another way of converting units.

It is often used to convert units from

English to Metric or vise versa.

Your friend in England runs 3 kilometers a day while you run 3000 yards a day.

Using kilometers which of you runs a longer distance?

Steps for Dimensional Analysis

•Step 1: Determine the given unit and the desired unit.

Given: yards (3000)

Desired: kilometers

Step 2: Find the relationship between the units and consider the possible conversion factors

Known:

12 inches / 1 foot

1 yard / 3 feet

2.54 centimeters / 1 inch

100 centimeters / 1 meter

1000 meters / 1 kilometers

Step 3: Choose the conversion factor whose denominator has the same units as your given value to start with.

Start with 1 yard

3 feet

Step 4: Write the original value next to the conversion factor with a multiplication sign between them. Cancel like terms.

3000 yds x 3 ft x 12in x 2.54cm x 1m x 1km

1yd 1ft 1in 100cm 1000m

Step 5: Multiply the resulting equation.

3000 yds x 3 ft x 12in x 2.54cm x 1m x 1km

1yd 1ft 1in 100cm 1000m

1) Multiply across the top: 274,320

2) Multiply across the bottom: 100,000

3) Divide top by bottom: 2.7432 km

Solution to equation

3000 yards = 2.7432 km which is less than 3km. Therefore your friend in England runs more than you do per day.