Communication, Latitude & Longitude

Biblical Reference

He measured its wall and it was 144 cubits thick, by man's measurement, which the angel was using.

Revelation 21:17

Communicating Results• One important goal of science is to make

results available to others.

• Communicating scientific data and results allows others to learn of new discoveries, to possibly verify what has been reported, and to conduct new experiments using the information.

Lab Reports• Throughout your science courses, you will

conduct many experiments and activities.

– During and after each activity or experiment, you will record and analyze the information that you collected to draw conclusions based on your data.

– The resulting lab report will be used to assess your understanding of the activity or experiment and to communicate your results.

Scientific Journals & Magazines• From “Science World” to “The Journal of

American Medicine”, there are hundreds of scientific journals and magazines geared toward any age group and/or education level.

The InternetThe internet is a wonderful way to access scientific information, but because it is easy for anyone to post information on the internet, you must always make sure that “scientific” information comes from a reputable source.

Textbooks• Textbooks contain a wealth of scientific

information usually compiled into specific topics: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth Science, Botany, Anatomy, etc.– Textbooks are re-issued every few years to

update information based upon new discoveries and technology.

Graphs• There are many different types of graphs,

which each serve different purposes.

– A line graph is a visual display that shows how two variables are related.

– The independent variable is plotted on the horizontal (x) axis.

– The dependent variable is plotted on the vertical (y) axis.

x axis

y axis

Models• A scientific model is an idea, a system, or

a mathematical expression that is similar to the idea being explained.

– While a model might not have all of the components of a given idea, it should be a fairly accurate representation.

– Models can change when more data is gathered.

Hypothesis• A hypothesis is a possible explanation or

answer to a question.

– A good hypothesis is a testable idea that leads to scientific investigation.

Hypothesis: Meteorite Impact• A huge meteorite crashed into the earth 65

MYA. Dust from the impact blocked out the sun and led to the extinction of the dinosaurs.

• The meteorite is estimated to have been 10 km in diameter.

Theory• A scientific theory is an explanation based

on many observations during repeated experiments.

– A scientific theory is valid only if it is consistent with observations, makes predictions that can be tested, and is the simplest explanation of observations.

– A theory can be changed or modified with the discovery of new data.

Theory: The Big Bang• A description of how the universe began:

“Billions of years ago, all the matter and energy in the universe was compressed into an extremely small volume. Then about 17 billion years ago, a sudden event sent all the matter and energy hurtling outward in a giant cloud. As the cloud expanded, some of the matter gathered into a clumps that evolved into galaxies.”

Supporting Evidence

• Light Effect:– Spectrum of Light– Wavelength– Heating elements

makes them give off a Bright-Line Spectrum.

• Doppler Effect:– Close objects - short

wavelengths– Distant objects - long

wavelengths

• Spectroscope: RED SHIFT– Tells what elements are in

different stars.– Can also tell how far away

stars are and if they are moving farther away.

• Background Radiation:– Low levels of energy

distributed throughout the galaxy.

Law• A scientific law describes a pattern or an

event in nature that is always true.

– One example is the Law of Gravity.

Pop Quiz

Match the following terms with their definitions.___ theory

___ model

___ law

A. an idea, a system, or mathematical expression that is similar to the idea being explained

B. a basic fact that describes the behavior of a natural phenomenon

C. an explanation based on many observations during repeated experiment

C

A

B

Pop Quiz

On a line graph, what is plotted on the horizontal (x) axis?

The independent variable is plotted on the horizontal (x) axis.

Pop Quiz

On a line graph, what is plotted on the vertical (y) axis?

The dependent variable is plotted on the vertical (y) axis.

Maps• Maps are flat models of three-dimensional

objects.• The science of mapmaking is called

cartography.• Latitude is the distance in degrees north

and south of the equator.– The equator is an imaginary horizontal line

located at 0 latitude that circles the Earth and separates it into two halves.

– Lines of latitude run parallel to the equator.

Latitude• The value in degrees of each latitude line

is determined by measuring the imaginary angle created between the equator, the center of the Earth and the line of latitude.

Latitude• There are 90 North of the Equator, and

90 South of the Equator.• Each degree is divided into 60 minutes (’).• Louisville, KY is located at 38 15’ N.

Longitude• Longitude is the distance in degrees east

or west of the Prime Meridian.

– The Prime Meridian is an imaginary line that represents 0 longitude.

– Lines of longitude, also called meridians, are semicircles that extended vertically from pole to pole.

Longitude• The degree value of each line of longitude

is determined by measuring the imaginary angle between the prime meridian, the center of the Earth and the line of longitude.

Longitude• There are 180 East of the Prime Meridian

and 180 West of the Prime Meridian.• Each degree is divided into 60 minutes (’).• Louisville, KY is located at 85 46’ W.

Latitude & Longitude Summary

Coordinates• Both latitude and longitude are necessary

to find a location on a map.• For example, Louisville, KY is located at

3815’ N, 85 46’ W.

Time Zones• Because it takes the

Earth approximately 24 hours to rotate on it’s axis, the Earth is divided into 24 time zones– In most cases, each

time zone corresponds to a line of longitude.

– There are exceptions due to city and county boundaries.

• There are 6 time zones in the U.S.– Eastern (UTC – 5:00)– Central (UTC – 6:00)– Mountain (UTC – 7:00)– Pacific (UTC – 8:00)– Alaska (UTC – 9:00)– Hawaii-Aleutian

(UTC – 10:00)

Time Zones

The International Date Line• The International Date Line (180 longitude),

serves as the transition line for calendar days.

– Traveling west across the International Date Line advances the calendar one day.

– Traveling east across the International Date Line moves the calendar back one day.

A. The North PoleB. The South PoleC. The EquatorD. The Prime Meridian

Where on Earth is 0 latitude?

Pop Quiz

A. 0 LongitudeB. 90 West LongitudeC. 90 East LongitudeD. 180 Longitude

Where is the International Date Line located?

Pop Quiz

A. To avoid confusion within a city or countyB. To go around mountains or lakesC. To account for different altitudesD. To make up for Daylight Savings Time

Why do some time zones have irregular shapes?

Pop Quiz