1. Bell Ringer
Why it is important to study Earth science?

2. Bell Ringer
How have Earth scientists improved our understanding of the environment?

3. Chapter 1 Table of Contents Section 1 What Is Earth Science?
Introduction to Earth Science
Table of Contents
Section 1 What Is Earth Science?
Section 2 Science as a Process

4. Chapter 1
Section 1 What Is Earth Science?
Objectives
Describe two cultures that contributed to modern scientific study.
Name the four main branches of Earth science.
Discuss how Earth scientists help us understand the world around us.

5. What is Earth Science?
Ancient people wondered what forces shaped Earth. (1)
Ancient people used myths and stories to describe Earth’s processes. (2)
Modern science attempts to understand Earth and its changing landscape through careful observations and by searching for natural causes. (3)

6. The Scientific Study of Earth
Chapter 1
Section 1 What Is Earth Science?
The Scientific Study of Earth
Scientific study of Earth began thousands of years ago with careful observations.
Chinese recorded earthquakes around 780 BCE (4)
Greeks cataloged rocks and minerals near 200 BCE. (5)
Mayans tracked sun, moon, and planets, made calendars. (6) (7)
For many centuries, scientific discoveries were limited to observations of phenomena that could be seen with the unaided eye. (8)

7. The Scientific Study of Earth
During 17th century, microscope and telescope made seeing previously hidden worlds possible. (9)
Earth science the scientific study of Earth and the universe around it. (10)
Earth science assumes that the causes of natural events, or phenomena, can be discovered through observation and experimentation. (11)

8. Branches of Earth Science
Chapter 1
Section 1 What Is Earth Science?
Branches of Earth Science
Scientists have used technology and hard work to build an immense body of knowledge about Earth.
Improves the ability to make observations. (12)
Most Earth scientists specialize in one of four major areas of study: the solid Earth, the oceans, the atmosphere, and the universe beyond Earth. (13)

9. Chapter 1
Section 1 What Is Earth Science?
Earth Sciences

10. Branches of Earth Science, continued
Chapter 1
Section 1 What Is Earth Science?
Branches of Earth Science, continued
Geology
geology the scientific study of the origin, history, and structure of Earth and the processes that shape Earth (14)
Geology includes many specialized fields of study, such as the study of earthquakes or volcanoes, exploration for natural resources such as coal and oil, and the study of Earth’s history through the study of rocks and fossils.(15)

11. Branches of Earth Science, continued
Chapter 1
Section 1 What Is Earth Science?
Branches of Earth Science, continued
Oceanography
oceanography the scientific study of the ocean, including the properties and movement of ocean water, the characteristics of the ocean floor, and the organisms that live in the ocean (16)
Like geology, oceanography includes specialized fields. Some oceanographers study ocean water. Others study waves, tides, and ocean currents. Still others study the ocean floor or the organisms that live in the oceans. (17)

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Chapter 1
Section 1 What Is Earth Science?
Branches of Earth Science, continued
Meteorology
meteorology the scientific study of Earth’s atmosphere, especially in relation to weather and climate (18)
Using satellites, radar, and other technologies, meteorologists study the atmospheric conditions that produce weather. They may use this information to prepare weather forecasts. (19)
Measure factors like wind speed, rainfall, and temperature. (20)

13. Branches of Earth Science, continued
Meteorology
Some meteorologists study climate, the patterns of weather that occur over long periods of time. (21)

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Chapter 1
Section 1 What Is Earth Science?
Branches of Earth Science, continued
Astronomy
astronomy the scientific study of the universe (22)
Ancient Babylonians charted positions of planets and stars 4,000 years ago. (23)
Modern astronomers use Earth-based and space-based telescopes, as well as other instruments, to study the sun, the moon, the planets, and the universe. (24)
Rovers and probes have provided newer information (25).

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Chapter 1
Section 1 What Is Earth Science?
Branches of Earth Science, continued
Environmental Science
Environmental science is a relatively new field of Earth science that involves the study of the ways in which humans interact with their environment. (26)
Environmental scientists study many issues, such as the use of natural resources, pollution, the effects of industries and technologies on the environment, and the health of plant and animal species on Earth. (27)

16. The Importance of Earth Science
Chapter 1
Section 1 What Is Earth Science?
The Importance of Earth Science
Natural forces not only shape Earth but also affect life on Earth. By understanding how natural forces shape our environment, Earth scientists can better predict potential disasters and help save lives and property. (28) (31)
The work of Earth scientists helps us understand our place in the universe. (32)
The study of Earth science can help people gain access to Earth’s resources, and Earth scientists also strive to help people use those resources wisely. (34) ( 35)

17. Bell Ringer
What do you think the goals of the following human endeavors are: art, architecture, philosophy, sports, and politics?

18. Chapter 1
Section 2 Science as a Process
Objectives
Explain how science is different from other forms of human endeavor.
Identify the steps that make up scientific methods.
Analyze how scientific thought changes as new information is collected.
Explain how science affects society.

19. Behavior of Natural Systems
Chapter 1
Section 2 Science as a Process
Behavior of Natural Systems
Science is different from other kinds of human endeavor because it has different goals. (1)
The goal of science is to explain natural phenomena. (2)
Scientists ask questions about natural events and then work to answer those questions through experiments and examination. (3)

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Section 2 Science as a Process
Behavior of Natural Systems, continued
Scientists start with the assumption that nature is understandable. (4)
Scientists also expect that similar forces in a similar situation will cause similar results. (5)
Scientists also expect that nature is predictable, which means that the future behavior of natural forces can be anticipated. (6)

21. Behavior of Natural Systems, continued
Studying ice cores in Antarctica help scientist understand Earth’s past climate changes. (7)
Scientists increase their understanding of complex natural systems by following the same basic processes of studying and describing natural events. (8)

22. Chapter 1 Scientific Methods
Section 2 Science as a Process
Scientific Methods
Over time, the scientific community has developed organized and logical approaches to scientific research. These approaches are known as scientific methods. (9)
Scientific methods are not a set of sequential steps that scientists always follow. Rather these methods are guidelines to scientific problem solving. (10)

23. Scientific Methods, continued
Chapter 1
Section 2 Science as a Process
Scientific Methods, continued
The diagram below shows a basic flowchart of scientific methods.

24. Scientific Methods, continued
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Section 2 Science as a Process
Scientific Methods, continued
Ask a Question
observation the process of obtaining information by using the senses; the information obtained by using the senses (12)
Scientific investigations often start with observations. (11)
Observations commonly lead to questions. (13)
Simple questions have fueled years of scientific research and have been investigated through scientific methods.

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Section 2 Science as a Process
Scientific Methods, continued
Form a Hypothesis
hypothesis an idea or explanation that is based on observation and that can be tested (14)
Once a question has been asked and basic information has been gathered, a scientist may propose a tentative answer, which is also known as a hypothesis.
Most hypotheses are based on known facts about similar events. (15)

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Chapter 1
Section 2 Science as a Process
Scientific Methods, continued
Test the Hypothesis
After a hypothesis is proposed, it is commonly tested by performing experiments. An experiment is a procedure that is carried out according to certain guidelines.(16) (17)
A factor that can be changed in an experiment is a variable. (18)
independent variable in an experiment, the factor that is deliberately manipulated (19)
dependent variable in an experiment, the factor that changes as a result of one or more other factors (the independent variables) (20)

27. Scientific Methods, continued
A control group is established to serve as a standard of comparison with another group to which the control is identical except for one factor. (21)
Most scientific experiments are controlled experiments. (22)
The point at which scientists reach conclusions about a hypothesis is after doing many experiments and observations. (23)
A hypothesis will be accepted as true if it fits the known facts. (24)
A hypothesis may be changed or discarded if the experimental results differ from what is expected. (25)
Expected and unexpected results lead to new questions and further study. (26) They may also lead to new knowledge and methods of inquiry that further science. (27)

28. Scientific Measurements and Analysis
Chapter 1
Section 2 Science as a Process
Scientific Measurements and Analysis
Measurement is an important method of gathering information. (28)
Measurement is the comparison of some aspect of an object or event with a standard unit. (29)
Scientists around the world can compare and analyze each other’s measurements because scientists use a common system of measurements called the International System of Units, or SI. (30)

29. Scientific Measurements and Analysis
SI Units
Included standard measurements for length, mass, temperature, and volume. (31)
All SI units are based on intervals of 10. (32)

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Section 2 Science as a Process
Scientific Measurements and Analysis, continued
Accuracy and Precision
Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value of the thing being measured. (33)
Precision is the exactness of the measurement. (34)
An example of precision is using millimeters rather than centimeters to measure a distance. (35)

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Section 2 Science as a Process
Scientific Measurements and Analysis, continued
Error
Error is an expression of the amount of imprecision or variation in a set of measurements. (36)
Error is commonly expressed as percentage error or as a confidence interval. (37)

32. Scientific Measurements and Analysis, continued
Percentage Error Is the percentage of deviation of an experimental value from an accepted value. (38) Confidence Interval The range of values for a set percentage of measurements. (39)

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Section 2 Science as a Process
Scientific Measurements and Analysis, continued
Observations and Models
In Earth science, using controlled experiments to test hypotheses is often impossible.
When experiments are impossible, scientists make additional observations to gather evidence.(40)
The hypothesis is then tested by examining how well the hypothesis fits or explains all of the known evidence.

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Scientific Measurements and Analysis, continued
Observations and Models, continued
Scientists also use models to simulate conditions in the natural world. (41)
A model is a description, representation, or imitation of an object, system, process, or concept. (42)
Scientists use several types of models, including physical models, graphical models, conceptual models, mathematical models, and computer models.

35. Scientific Measurements and Analysis, continued
Observations and Models, continued
Physical models are three-dimensional models that can be touched. (43)
Graphical models include maps and charts. (44)
A conceptual model is a verbal or graphical model that represents how a system works or is organized. (45)

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Observations and Models, continued
A mathematical model is a mathematical equation that represents the way a system or process works. (46)
Computer models have been developed recently to represent simple processes or complex systems. (47)
Scientists can use good computer models to perform experiments by manipulating variables much as they would when performing a physical experiment. (48)

37. Chapter 1
Section 2 Science as a Process
Models

38. Acceptance of Scientific Ideas
Chapter 1
Section 2 Science as a Process
Acceptance of Scientific Ideas
Scientific understanding moves forward through the work of many scientists, who build on the research of the generations of scientists before them.
When scientists reach a conclusion, they introduce their findings to the scientific community. (49)
Before new ideas are accepted by the scientific community, the ideas must undergo review and testing by other scientists. (50)

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Section 2 Science as a Process
Acceptance of Scientific Ideas, continued
Publication of Results and Conclusions
Scientists commonly present the results of their work in scientific journals or at professional meetings. (51)
Results published in journals are usually written in a standard scientific format. (51)
After results are published, more experiments are designed to test and expand on the original idea. (56)

40. Acceptance of Scientific Ideas, continued
Peer Review
Scientists follow an ethical code that states that only valid experimental results should be published. (55)
To reduce bias, scientists submit their ideas to other scientists for peer review. (52)
peer review the process in which experts in a given field examine the results and conclusions of a scientist’s study before that study is accepted for publication (53) (54)

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Chapter 1
Section 2 Science as a Process
Acceptance of Scientific Ideas, continued
Formulating a Theory
When an idea has undergone much testing and reaches general acceptance, that idea may help form a theory.
theory the explanation for some phenomenon that is based on observation, experimentation, and reasoning; that is supported by a large quantity of evidence; and that does not conflict with any existing experimental results or observations (57)
A scientific law is a general statement that explains how the natural world behaves under certain conditions and for which no exceptions have been found. (58)
Theories and scientific laws can be changed if conflicting information is discovered in the future.

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Section 2 Science as a Process
Acceptance of Scientific Ideas, continued
The Importance of Interdisciplinary Science
Scientists from many disciplines commonly contribute the information necessary to support an idea
The free exchange of ideas between fields of science allows scientists to identify explanations that fit a wide range of scientific evidence.(59)
When an explanation is supported by evidence from a variety of fields, the explanation is more likely to be accurate.
New branches of science result when new connections are found between more than one branch of science. (60)

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Section 2 Science as a Process
Acceptance of Scientific Ideas, continued
The diagram below shows how interdisciplinary science helped develop the impact hypothesis of the extinction of the dinosaurs.

44. Chapter 1 Science and Society
Section 2 Science as a Process
Science and Society
The work of people, including scientists, is influenced by their cultural and personal beliefs.
Science is a part of society, and advances in science can have important and long-lasting effects on both science and society.
E.g. plate tectonics, quantum mechanics, and evolution. (61)

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Section 2 Science as a Process
Science and Society, continued
Science is also used to develop new technology, including new tools, machines, materials, and processes.
Sometimes technologies are designed to address a specific human need.
In other cases, technology is an indirect result of science that was directed at another goal.
E.g. technology for space exploration improved computers, cars, medical equipment, airplanes. (62)

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Science and Society, continued
Scientists who are involved in research that leads to new technologies have an obligation to consider the possible negative effects of their work. (63)
Before making decisions about technology, people should consider the alternatives, risks, and costs and benefits to humans and to Earth.(64)