Earth/Environmental - Introduction

Created by: L.ZimmermanCreated by: L.Zimmerman
Introduction to Earth/EnvironmentalIntroduction to Earth/Environmental
ScienceScience
1.1. GeologyGeology
Study of the origin,Study of the origin,
history, andhistory, and
structure of thestructure of the
earthearth

2.2. MeteorologyMeteorology
Study atmosphere,Study atmosphere,
especially weatherespecially weather
& weather conditions& weather conditions

3.3. OceanographyOceanography
Study of the ocean and its phenomenaStudy of the ocean and its phenomena
4. Astronomy4. Astronomy
Study of theStudy of the
position, compositionposition, composition
of stars, planets & other objectsof stars, planets & other objects

EarthEarth’s 4 Spheres’s 4 Spheres
Geosphere/

I.I. Observation -Observation -
Interaction of ourInteraction of our
senses.senses.
A.A. The five sensesThe five senses
include:include:
1.1. SightSight
2.2. HearingHearing
3.3. Touch/FeelTouch/Feel
4.4. TasteTaste
5.5. SmellSmell
How do Scientists GatherHow do Scientists Gather
Information?Information?

B. Testing your powers ofB. Testing your powers of
observation:observation:
1.1. Use only your senseUse only your sense
of sight to makeof sight to make
observations toobservations to
determine:determine:
A.A. Which (if either) ofWhich (if either) of
the two center circlesthe two center circles
is largest or smallest.is largest or smallest.

 Is this a youngIs this a young
woman or an oldwoman or an old
woman?woman?

Our powers of observation areOur powers of observation are
limited by our senses.limited by our senses.
C.C. InstrumentsInstruments – can be used to improve– can be used to improve
or extend our powers of observation.or extend our powers of observation.
These devices have been invented byThese devices have been invented by
people topeople to extend the human senses
beyond their normal limits, and thus, and thus
enable us to make observations thatenable us to make observations that
would otherwise be impossible or highlywould otherwise be impossible or highly
inaccurate.inaccurate.

II.II. InferenceInference
 An interpretation or aAn interpretation or a
conclusion (educatedconclusion (educated
guess) based onguess) based on
observations.observations.
 They may or may notThey may or may not
be true.be true.

A. For example, if you observed the appearanceA. For example, if you observed the appearance
of more and more clouds that were darker andof more and more clouds that were darker and
darker in color, you might infer that:darker in color, you might infer that:
 It will rainIt will rain
 ThereThere’s a storm’s a storm
comingcoming
Read the statements in
your notes and decide
whether they are an
observation or inference.

III. MeasurementIII. Measurement
A.A. A measurement is a way of expressing anA measurement is a way of expressing an
observation with greater precision. It providesobservation with greater precision. It provides
a numerical value for some property of thea numerical value for some property of the
object or the event being observed.object or the event being observed.
1.1. All measurements consist of:All measurements consist of: (a)(a) Numerical valueNumerical value
(b)(b) Label (units)Label (units)
2.2. Properties that can be measured include; length, area,Properties that can be measured include; length, area,
volume, mass, weight, temperature, density, time, etc.volume, mass, weight, temperature, density, time, etc.

B. Linear Measurement (orB. Linear Measurement (or “one dimensional”) –“one dimensional”) –
distance between two (2) pointsdistance between two (2) points
1.1. Instrument –Instrument – RulerRuler
2.2. Unit – MeterUnit – Meter
a)a) centi – 1/100 metercenti – 1/100 meter 100100 centimeters = 1 metercentimeters = 1 meter
b)b) milli – 1/1000 metermilli – 1/1000 meter 10001000 millimeters = 1 metermillimeters = 1 meter
c)c) kilo – 1000 meterskilo – 1000 meters 11 kilometer = 1000 meterskilometer = 1000 meters
Read and convert the model in your notes!

C. Mass –C. Mass – The amount of matter an objectThe amount of matter an object
possessespossesses
1.1. Instrument –Instrument – Triple-beam or electronic balanceTriple-beam or electronic balance
2.2. Units: (a)Units: (a) gramsgrams
(b)(b) milligramsmilligrams

D.D. DensityDensity –– Concentration of matter in an
object expressed in a ratio of mass percent per
unit volume

Blinding You With ScienceBlinding You With Science
 DensityDensity
Density and your understanding of it is the key to understanding
almost everything in Earth Science! It applies to:
Ocean Currents
Separation of spheres
Force behind plate tectonics
Movement of air and wind

IV. ErrorsIV. Errors
 Since allSince all
measurements aremeasurements are
made by senses or bymade by senses or by
extensions of sensesextensions of senses
(instruments), they(instruments), they
cannot be expected tocannot be expected to
bebe “exact”. Therefore“exact”. Therefore
a small margin of errora small margin of error
is expected.is expected.

V.V. Nature of ChangeNature of Change
 The Earth environment is in
a constant state of change.
These changes can be
sudden, one time events
(ex: Volcanic eruption) or
cyclic (ex: Tides).
 Dynamic EquilibriumDynamic Equilibrium ––
EarthEarth’s tendency to try to’s tendency to try to
balance opposing forces.balance opposing forces.

VI. Methods of ScienceVI. Methods of Science
To answer questions, scientists use manyTo answer questions, scientists use many
approaches, but they all use commonapproaches, but they all use common
steps – SCIENTIFIC METHODsteps – SCIENTIFIC METHOD
1.1. Problem/QuestionProblem/Question
Develop a question or problem that canDevelop a question or problem that can
be solved through experimentationbe solved through experimentation
2.2. Observation/ResearchObservation/Research
Make observations and research yourMake observations and research your
topic of interest.topic of interest.

3.3. HypothesisHypothesis
Possible explanation forPossible explanation for
the problem.the problem.
- Must be testable!- Must be testable!
- Example:- Example:
If soil temperatures rise,If soil temperatures rise,
then plant growth willthen plant growth will
increase.increase.
4.4. ExperimentExperiment
Develop a procedure toDevelop a procedure to
test your hypothesis. Musttest your hypothesis. Must
be measurablebe measurable
(quantifiable).(quantifiable).

55.. Collect & Analyze ResultsCollect & Analyze Results
-- DataData is information obtained fromis information obtained from
an experimentan experiment
- Can disprove or prove a- Can disprove or prove a
hypothesishypothesis
- Include tables, graphs &- Include tables, graphs &
photographs, numbers, descriptorsphotographs, numbers, descriptors
6.6. ConclusionConclusion
- Statement that accepts or rejects- Statement that accepts or rejects
the hypothesisthe hypothesis
- Make recommendations for- Make recommendations for
further studyfurther study

VII. Representing DataVII. Representing Data
GraphingGraphing- A visual representation of data- A visual representation of data
collected in an experimentcollected in an experiment
1.1. LineLine
Shows trends easilyShows trends easily

Experimental VariablesExperimental Variables
1.1. IndependentIndependent VariableVariable
 On theOn the XX axisaxis
 Intentionally manipulated variableIntentionally manipulated variable
 Ex: Time will be taken every 1 minuteEx: Time will be taken every 1 minute
beginning at T= 0beginning at T= 0
1.1. DependentDependent VariableVariable
 On theOn the YY axisaxis
 Factor that may change as a result ofFactor that may change as a result of
changes made in the independent variablechanges made in the independent variable
 Ex: Temperature of hot liquid after T= 20Ex: Temperature of hot liquid after T= 20
minutes.minutes.

 Direct Relationship - Both variables
change in the same direction (both increase)
Ex: The effect of temperature on volume of gas

 Inverse (Indirect)Inverse (Indirect) Relationship -Relationship - When one
variable increases as the other decreases.
EX: Volume vs. Pressure on a gas
You would say as pressure increases, the volume of the
gas decreases.

Cyclic changesCyclic changes:: involve events that repeat
in time and space in an orderly manner.
 Ex: TidesEx: Tides

ExtrapolationExtrapolation
• Making aMaking a
prediction about aprediction about a
future event basedfuture event based
on the graphedon the graphed
data.data.
• The "trend" of theThe "trend" of the
data is extendeddata is extended
past the last pointpast the last point
given and angiven and an
estimate made ofestimate made of
the value.the value.

2.2. BarBar
Shows countsShows counts..
3. Pie
Shows percent
of a whole.

Graph Checklist
What Makes for a Good Graph?
For a Good Graph, You
Should Answer "Yes" to
Every Question
Have you selected the appropriate graph type for
the data you are displaying?
Yes / No
Does your graph have a title? Yes / No
Have you placed the independent variable on the x-
axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis?
Yes / No
Have you labeled the axes correctly and specified
the units of measurement?
Yes / No
Does your graph have the proper scale (the
appropriate high and low values on the axes)?
Yes / No
Is your data plotted correctly and clearly? Yes / No

Earth/Environmental - Introduction

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