Earth Science Chapter 1 1
Introduction to Earth Science
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What is science?
• A way of learning about the natural world• The knowledge gained through that learning
process
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Skills scientists use
• Observing• Using your senses to gather information
• Inferring• Explaining or interpreting observations• Based on reasoning, but not always right
• Predicting• Making a forecast of what will happen• Based on past experience or evidence
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Scientific Attitudes
• Habits of successful scientists• Curiosity• Honesty• Open-mindedness• Skepticism• Creativity
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Hypothesis
• Possible explanation for a set of observations
• Must be testable• Must be based on past experience
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Controlled experiment
• Tests hypothesis under strict conditions• Only one thing can change or be different in
the experiment
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Variable
• What changes during an experiment
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Manipulated variable
• What the scientist changes• Also called the independent variable
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Responding variable
• Changes because of the manipulated variable
• Measured by the scientist• Also called dependent variable
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Data
• Facts, figures, and other evidence gathered by observation
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Scientific theory
• Well-tested scientific concept that explains a lot of observations
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Scientific law
• Describes what is expected to happen every time under a particular set of conditions
• Has been repeatedly tested and found to be true
• Doesn’t explain, just provides pattern
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Discuss
• What is science?• Explain three skills that scientists use.• How do scientific theories differ from
scientific laws?• Can you make an inference without having
made any observations?
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Earth Science
• The study of Earth and of the universe around it
• Assumes that the causes of natural events, or phenomena, can be discovered through careful observations and experimentation
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System
• Group of parts that work together as a whole
• A change in one part affects the other parts
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Structure of the Earth System• Atmosphere
• Mixture of gases that surround Earth• Hydrosphere
• Oceans, lakes, rivers, and ice• Lithosphere
• Earth’s solid, rocky outer layer• Biosphere
• All living things in air, in ocean, on land, beneath land surface
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Energy
• The ability to do work or cause change• Constantly moves from one part of Earth’s
system to another• Matter does this too
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Constructive forces
• Shape Earth’s surface by building mountains and landmasses
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Destructive forces
• Shape Earth’s surface by wearing away mountains and other structures
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Branches of Earth Science
• Geology• Oceanography• Meteorology• Astronomy• Environmental Science
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Geology
• Study of origin, history, processes, and structure of the solid Earth• Explore Earth’s crust for resources like coal,
oil, and natural gas• Study forces within Earth to predict
earthquakes and volcanic activity• Study fossils to learn about the past
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Oceanography
• Study of the Earth’s oceans (cover ¾ of Earth’s surface)• Work on research ships• Study waves, tides and ocean currents• Explore the ocean floor to research history or
find mineral deposits
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Meteorology
• Study of the Earth’s atmosphere• Use satellites, radar, and other technology to study
atmospheric conditions that produce weather• Weather observers measure wind speed, temperature,
rainfall, etc. to make weather maps• Use weather maps, satellite images, and computer
models to forecast weather• Study climate – weather patterns over long periods of
time
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Astronomy
• Study of the universe beyond Earth• One of the oldest branches of Earth Science
• Ancient Babylonians charted positions of stars and planets 4 000 years ago
• Use Earth- and space-based telescopes, rovers, and space probes to study the sun, the moon, the solar system, and the universe.
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Environmental Science
• Study the ways in which humans interact with their environment• Newest branch of Earth Science• Study use of natural resources, pollution, and
the health of plant and animal species• Study the effects of industries and technologies
on the environment
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Model
• Something that represents a system or a concept
• Helps people study and understand something that is complex or that can’t be observed directly
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Types of models
• Physical – 3D models that can be touched• Graphical – maps, charts, etc.• Conceptual – verbal or graphical
• Represent how a system works or is organized• Mathematical – equations that represent systems
or processes• Computer – represent simple or complex
processes or systems• Can be used to perform experiments
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Discuss
• What are the main ideas of Earth science?• What are the five branches of Earth
science?• Why are models useful in Earth science?• What type of Earth scientist would probably
study the effects of human activities on coral reefs? Explain.
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Technology
• Improves the way people live• How people change the world to meet their
needs or to solve problems
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Science and technology
• Science• Studies natural world• Done by scientists
• Technology• Changes the natural world• Done by engineers
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Technology throughout history
• Tools• Stone, then metal• Spears, axes, spades
• More stable food supply
• Machines• Larger food supply grown
• Communications• Global sharing of information
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Discuss
• What is technology?• Compare and contrast science and
technology.• What effect does a new technology have on
society?