Introduction to

Earth/Environmental Science

Lab Safety Rules

• Use lab only with directed by the teacher.• ALWAYS wear safety goggles.• Report any accident or incident to the teacher• Confine long hair and and loose clothing

whenever working with flames or chemicals• Never work with chemicals without checking

labels.

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Lab Safety Rules cont.

• Never taste substances without teacher’s direction.

• Place broken glass and disposables in appropriate container.

• Wash hands before leaving the lab.

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What is Earth Science?

Earth Science •The name for the group of sciences that deals with Earth and its neighbors in space.

Branches of Earth ScienceA. Astronomy

Study of objects past the atmosphere

Ex: Stars, moon, comets

B. Meteorology

Study of the atmosphereProcesses of weather and climate Ex: clouds, rain, hurricanes

C. Geology

Study of materials that make-up the EarthProcesses that form and change those materialsEx: rocks, minerals, earthquakes, volcanoes

D. Oceanography

Study of the oceans Ex: trenches, marine animals

Earth’s Major Spheres/Systems

A. Hydrosphere All water on Earth Oceans, rivers, streams,

lakes & seas 97% of the water is salt

water 3% of water is freshwater

B. Atmosphere Gaseous layers above the

surface of Earth Weather and Climate on

Earth Makes life possible on

Earth

C. Geosphere/LithosphereBeneath both the

Hydrosphere and Atmosphere

Three Parts Core Mantle Crust

D. Biosphere All organisms on Earth Environments where

organisms live

What is Environmental Science?

• The study of how humans use resources and the affect it has on the Earth

What Environmental Science deals with?

• Renewable Resources– Plants, animals, water,

wind

• Nonrenewable Resources– Coal, oil, natural gas

• Population Growth

• Environmental Problems– Pollution, global warming

• Natural Hazards– Flooding, droughts,

earthquakes

Scientific Method /Experimental Design

• An organized plan for gathering, organizing and communication of information

• GOAL– Solve a problem

– Better understand something

Experimental Design

1) Problem/QuestionWhat do you want to know?

2) Research3) Hypothesis4) Experiment– Test your hypothesis

5) Collect and Analyze Data6) Conclusion– Accept, reject, or modify the hypothesis

Evolution of a Scientific Idea1. Hypothesis

An educated guess

2. Theory

Extensively tested hypothesisCan be modified with new dataStill can be proven wrong

3. Scientific Law

Generalized rule to explain observations

Summarizes a pattern in nature

Ex: Law of Gravity

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Parts of an Experiment

• Variable– Factor that changes

– Two types• Independent variable

• Dependent variable

• Independent Variable– Fact YOU change

– AKA: Manipulated Variable

• Dependent Variable– Factor that changes

BECAUSE you changed something

– AKA: Responding Variable

• Constant – Factors that never are

changed from test to test

• Trial– Repeating the

experiment

– 3 times for best result

Experimental Design Practices

Asking Questions and Defining Problems Developing and Using Models Planning and Carrying Out Investigations Analyzing and Interpreting Data Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions Engaging in Argument from Evidence Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Measurement Types

LENGTH Straight line distance

between two points How long something is SI unit = meters (m) Tools for finding

Meter stick or ruler

Temperature Amount of heat given

off by an object Molecular Motion How hot or cold

something is SI unit = Kelvin (K)

ºC, ºF Tools for finding

Thermometer

MASS How much Matter is in

an object SI unit: kilogram (kg) Tools for Finding

Balances or scales

Note:Mass and Weight are two different thingsMass never changes from place to place

VOLUME Amount of Space an object

takes up Units: L, mL, cm3

Tools: graduated cylinder or ruler

Three Different Methods for finding Volume

Regular object Irregular object Liquid

Finding Volume

1. Liquids (water) Place the liquid in a

graduated cylinder and read the level

2. Regular Object (block)o L * W * H

3. Irregular Object (rock) Do Water Displacement Subtract water level without

object from water level with object

Density

Mass per unit Volume

Unit: g/mL or g/cm3

Formula Density = mass ÷

volume

Density of water is 1 g/mL

Less means float More means sink