Transcript Intro to Earth Science Powerpoint

Scientific Method
Unit One: Scientific Method
What is science?
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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?
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The Scientific Method
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The process by which a scientist finds an
explanation to an event.
It is a 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
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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
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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!!!!
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A scientific hypothesis must be testable!
This means there must be a way to prove the
hypothesis wrong
Are these scientific hypotheses?
1.
2.
3.
Atoms are the smallest particle of matter.
The universe is surrounded by a second
universe, the existence of which cannot be
detected by scientists.
The Incredible Hulk is the best super-hero
ever in the world.
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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
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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
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What is Earth Science?
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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
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Oceanography: Study of the Earth’s oceans
Formation of the Earth
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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.
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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
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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
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Hydrosphere- The water portion of our planet
Atmosphere- The gaseous portion of our planet
Geosphere- The rocky solid portion of our
planet
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Further divided into- the core, mantle, and crust
Biosphere-Includes all life on Earth
Layers of the Earth
Forces That affect our Earth
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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
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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
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QUESTIONS?