Earth Science Topic One
Transcript: What is Earth Science? Introduction 1 Earth Science is a combination of FOUR branches of science Geology Oceanograpy Meteorology Astronomy The study of the history, structure, processes, and composition of the Earth's solid surface down to Earth's center Geology Geology The study of all aspects of Earth's oceans Oceanography Oceanography The study of Earth's atmosphere, including weather and climate Meteorology Meteorology The study of the universe -- all matter, time, energy, and space Astronomy Astronomy What is Earth Science? Define the term "Earth Science" in your own words. What is Earth Science? Brainstorm with a partner--write a list of AT LEAST five skills an Earth Scientist might need. What skills do scientists need to study the Earth? Observation, Inference, Measurement, Classification Skills of a Scientist 2 #1 Observation A perception of the environment by one or more of the five senses--taste, touch, sight, hearing, and smell A. The rock came from the Cambrian period. B. The rock is round. C. The rock was made from volcanic ash. D. The rock is over 5000 years old. Which of these is an OBSERVATION? A. The rock came from the Cambrian period. B. The rock is round. C. The rock was made from volcanic ash. D. The rock is over 5000 years old. Which of these is an OBSERVATION? #2 Inference An interpretation of an observation -- a proposed cause, conclusion, or explanation for what was observed. A. The rock is shiny. B. The rock cuts glass. C. The rock is over 5000 years old. D. The rock reacts with acid. Which of these is an inference? A. The rock is shiny. B. The rock cuts glass. C. The rock is over 5000 years old. D. The rock reacts with acid. Which of these is an inference? #3 Measurement A measurement is a means of expressing an observation with more accuracy or precision -- all measurements of basic quantities are made by a direct comparison to certain accepted standard units of measurement. A. Length B. Volume C. Mass What units are used to measure each of the following quantities? A. Length -- meter (m) B. Volume -- liter (L) C. Mass -- gram (g) What units are used to measure each of the following quantities? #4 Grouping together living or nonliving things with similar characteristics -- scientists group together similar observations or inferences to look for patterns among events in the environment. Classification A. Scientists grow colonies of bacteria to study reproduction. B. Scientists assign a genus and species to each living thing to look for evolutionary relationships. C. Scientists use water displacement to determine the volume of an irregular object. D. Scientists use instruments to observe things that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Which of these is an example of classification? A. Scientists grow colonies of bacteria to study reproduction. B. Scientists assign a genus and species to each living thing to look for evolutionary relationships. C. Scientists use water displacement to determine the volume of an irregular object. D. Scientists use instruments to observe things that cannot be seen with the naked eye. Which of these is an example of classification? Percent Deviation also known as Percent Error Why might it be important to know the percent deviation of a measurement? Percent Deviation (or Percent Error) Describes the accuracy (or inaccuracy) of a measurement compared to a known standard. NOTE: This formula is NOT LISTED in the Earth Science Reference Tables Percent Deviation (or Percent Error) Describes the accuracy (or inaccuracy) of a measurement compared to a known standard. NOTE: This formula is NOT LISTED in the Earth Science Reference Tables Percent Deviation Formula: % deviation = difference from accepted value / accepted value x 100% Percent Deviation (or Percent Error) A student measures the mass of an object as 127.5 grams and the accepted value is 125.0 grams. What is the student's percent deviation? Example #1 A student measures the mass of an object as 127.5 grams and the accepted value is 125.0 grams. What is the student's percent deviation? % deviation = amount of deviation (difference) / accepted value x 100% difference from accepted value = 127.5 g - 125.0 g = 2.5 g % deviation = 2.5 g / 125.0 g x 100 = 2.0% Example #1 A student measures the density of a rock as 2.0 g/mL. The accepted value is 2.2 g/mL. What is the student's percent deviation? Practice A student measures the density of a rock as 2.0 g/mL. The accepted value is 2.2 g/mL. What is the student's percent deviation? % deviation = 2.2 - 2.0 / 2.2 x 100 = 0.2 / 2.2 x 100 = 9% Practice What is the difference between these terms? ACCURACY VS. PRECISION ACCURACY VS. PRECISION Accuracy refers to the closeness of a measured value to a standard or known value. Ex. if you obtain a weight measurement of 3.2 kg for a given substance, but the actual or known weight is 10 kg, then your measurement is not accurate. Accuracy Accuracy Precision refers to the closeness of two or more measurements to each other. Ex.