1. Introduction to Earth Science
Scientific Method
and the
Metric System
Scientific Method & the Metric System

2. The Nature of Science
The goal of science is to understand the world around us
Special methods help to determine truths about nature

3. Branches of Earth Science
The three main branches of science are:
Life Science
Earth Science
Physical Science

4. Earth Science Earth science deals with the study of the Earth,
its history, changes, and its place in the Universe
There are four branches
of earth science

5. Branches of Earth Science
Geology- Earth’s origin, history, and structure
Meteorology- Earth’s atmosphere & weather
Oceanography- Earth’s oceans, including their physical features, life forms, and natural resources
Astronomy- Planets, stars, and other objects in space

6. The Scientific Method
An orderly, systematic approach to problem solving
The way scientists, and
non-scientists,
look for answers
There are seven
basic steps to the
scientific method

7. Step 1: Stating the problem
Decide what you
want to know
State the problem
in the form of a
question
Steps of the Scientific Method

8. Step 2: Gathering information on the problem
Research what’s
already known
Collect
information
and facts
Steps of the Scientific Method

9. Step 3: Forming a hypothesis Steps of the Scientific Method
- A hypothesis is a
proposed solution
to a scientific problem
There are two main parts to a hypothesis
An explanation- why it will happen
A prediction- what will happen
Steps of the Scientific Method

10. Steps of the Scientific Method
Step 4: Experimenting
Perform one or more
experiments to test the
hypothesis
When performing experiments:
Divide subjects into test groups
In each experiment you should have a control group, that doesn’t get any of the variable, and several test groups
Keep everything, except the amount of the variable, the same between groups
Steps of the Scientific Method

11. Step 5: Recording and analyzing data Steps of the Scientific Method
Observe and write
down important
information (data)
Organize data using graphs, tables, and charts
Look for patterns or trends
Steps of the Scientific Method

12. Step 6: Stating the conclusion Steps of the Scientific Method
Look at data and
form conclusions
Did the conclusions
support your hypothesis?
(why or why not?)
Re-evaluate the hypothesis and formulate new questions
Steps of the Scientific Method

13. Step 7: Repeating the work Steps of the Scientific Method
In order for a hypothesis to be
excepted it has to be able to
withstand repeated testing
After many experiments, where a hypothesis has continually been proven to be correct, it may be accepted by the scientific community and then considered to be a theory
A theory is the most logical explanation for events that occur in nature
Steps of the Scientific Method

14. The Metric System
A universal measurement system (also called the International System)
Being based on multiples of ten makes it easy to use
Uses prefixes to identify larger or smaller units of measure
Prefix
Symbol
Multiple
kilo K
1000
centi c
.01
milli m
.001

15. Metric Conversions - Length
Km m dm cm mm
x x x x 10
÷ ÷ ÷ ÷10

16. Metric Conversions - Volume
Kl l dl cl ml
x x x x 10
÷ ÷ ÷ ÷10

17. Metric Conversions - Mass
Kg g dg cg mg
x x x x 10
÷ ÷ ÷ ÷10

18. Length Metric measurements A measure of linear distance
Basic unit of length is the meter (m)
Use a meter stick or metric ruler to make measurements
Metric measurements
The entire meter stick
represents one meter
Each number represents
a centimeter (there are
100 centimeters in a meter)
Each little line is a millimeter
(there are 1000 millimeters
in a meter)

19. Area Metric measurements
The amount of surface included within a set of boundaries
Determined by measuring the length and width of an object, then multiplying
Metric measurements
Length = 14 cm
Width = 7 cm
Area = 14 cm x 7 cm
= 98 cm2
(Area is always expressed
in square units)

20. Volume Metric measurements Volume is the space that an object occupies
Represents the length, width, and height of an object
For solids, measurements are based on units of length (ex. cm3) and can be calculated using specific formulas
Metric measurements

21. Calculating the volume of a rectangle
Volume of a rectangle = length x width x height (l x w x h)
Metric measurements
Length = 10 cm
Width = 3 cm
Height = 4 cm
Volume = l x w x h
= 10 cm x 3 cm x 4 cm
= 120 cm3
4 cm
3 cm
10 cm

22. Calculating the volume of a cylinder
Volume of a cylinder =  x radius 2 x height ( x r2 x h)
= 3.14
Radius = ½ diameter
= ½ 10 cm
= 5 cm
Height = 20 cm
Volume =  x r2 x h
= 3.14 x (5 cm)2 x 20 cm
= 3.14 x 25 cm2 x 20 cm
= 1570 cm3
Metric measurements
Diameter = 10 cm
20 cm

23. Volume of a liquid Metric measurements A graduated cylinder is used to
accurately measure the volume of liquids
in milliliters
Determine the volume in a graduated
cylinder by reading the bottom of the
meniscus at eye level
Once the volume of a liquid is known,
it can be converted to a “solid volume” by
using the formula 1 ml = 1 cm3
Metric measurements

24. Mass Metric measurements Mass is a measure of the amount of matter
Mass is measured in grams using a balance
Metric measurements
The mass of an object remains the same,
no matter where in the universe it is
measured

25. Weight Metric measurements
Weight is a measure of the gravitational force exerted
on an object by a massive body
Metric measurements
Weight is measured in Newtons (N)
using a spring scale
Weight varies from place to place
depending on the strength of the
gravitational force

26. Gravity Metric measurements
Gravity is the force of attraction between objects
The strength of the gravitational force between objects depends on:
- the distance between the objects ( the gravitational force between objects decreases with distance)
-Mass ( the greater the mass
of an object, the greater it’s
gravitational force)
Metric measurements

27. Density Metric measurements
Density is the mass of a specific volume of
an object
Density is calculated by dividing the mass
of an object by its volume
Units for density are usually expressed in
grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3 )
Metric measurements
Since the density of water is 1 g/cm3
anything with a density less than 1 g/cm3 will
float in water and anything greater will sink