1. Chapter 1: Earth’s Basics

2. Chapter 1-1
Earth Science - Study of the Earth and the universe around it
History
For thousands of years, people wondered what shaped the Earth
Some cultures explained events that could not be explained using myths and stories of gods, giants and monsters

3. Other ancient cultures began to study earth through careful observation
780 BCE - China began keeping records of earthquakes
200 BCE – Greeks compiled a catalog of rocks and minerals

4. Maya Indians created a calendar by tracking the movements of the sun, moon, and stars

5. 3. Today, scientists study the Earth through careful observation and experimentation

6. II. Branches of Earth Science
Geology- study of the solid Earth
Exploration of the crust
Study earthquakes and volcanoes
Study fossils to learn about the Earth’s past
Colorado?

7. Oceanography
Study of waves, tides and currents
Study ocean floor
Not a marine biologist

8. Meteorology
Study of the Earth’s atmosphere
Weather- atmospheric conditions at a certain place and time
Climate- average atmospheric conditions of a location

9. Study of universe beyond Earth
Astronomy
One of oldest branches
Study of universe beyond Earth
The Milky Way Setting over the Namibian desert - Image credit to Juan Carlos Casado

10. Environmental Science
Study of impact of humans on the Earth
Interdisciplinary science

11. Chapter 1, Section 2
I. Scientific Method- an organized systematic approach to problem solving
II. Steps in the Scientific Method
A. ASK - Observe and form a question
B. Hypothesis - a possible explanation or solution to a problem
C. Experiment – test the hypothesis and record data
D. Draw a conclusion
1. Analyze the data and decide whether the hypothesis was correct.
2. Change or discard the hypothesis if needed.
E. Replicate Work
(ALL HIPPOS EXERCISE DAILY or make your own!)

12. III.Experimenting
A. Good experiments require thought and careful planning
B. Variables – all factors that can change the results of the experiment
1. Independent Variable- the variable that you change on purpose
2. Dependent Variable – the variable that responds to the change in the independent variable
C. Constants- the factors of the experiment that remain the same in order to produce reliable data
D. Control- a experimental subject that does not receive the experimental treatment and is used for comparison. Not all experiments can have a control

13. Scientific Method Example
A pet store owner observes that the cost of generic rat food is less than the Purina “name brand” rat chow. The store owner thinks that the Purina food might be better for his rats because it costs more. He might hypothesize that:

14. Experiment:
Ten rats are given 5 grams of Purina rat chow per day. Ten rats are given 5 grams of generic brand of rat chow. All rats receive the same amount of water and exercise each day. At the end of 10 days, the owner weighs each rat.
Constants Independent Variable Dependent Variables

15. IV. Analyzing data Accuracy VS. Precision
Accuracy – refers to how close a measurement is to the true value of the thing being measured
Precision- the exactness of the measurement

16. Examples Students are given a weight of a known mass (say 5.00 grams).
B.The results of one student’s measurement are as follows: 4.81g, 4.83g, and 4.79 g.
Are these accurate?
Are these precise?
c. The results of another student’s measurement are as follows: 4.80g, 4.98g, and 5.19 g.
d. The results of another student’s measurement are as follows: 5.03g, 4.98g, and 4.99 g.

17. Error: Is the amount of Imprecision or variation in a set of measurements
1. Can be expressed as a percentage
2. Can be expressed as a confidence interval

18. V. Acceptance of Scientific Ideas:
A. Presentation of results – once scientists have studied their data and come to a conclusion about their results, they will present them to others in their field.
B. Peer Review
1. a peer is a persons equal, so in this case, a peer is an expert in the same science career field
2. In peer review, several expert scientists will evaluate another’s results
3. This prevents flawed results from becoming accepted

19. C. Theory - an explanation that is consistent with all current available data
D. Scientific Law – a general statement that explains the natural world under certain conditions for which NO exceptions have been found.
E. Both theories and scientific laws can be changed if conflicting information is discovered in the future