Chapter 1:The World of Earth Science

Section 1: Branches of Earth

Science

Geology• The study of the origin, history, and

structure of the earth and the processes that shape the earth.• Geologists specialize in different aspects

of earth:–Volcanologists – studies volcanoes–Seismologist – studies earthquakes–Paleontologist – studies fossils

Oceanography• Scientific study of the sea.

• Special areas of Oceanography–Physical Oceanographer–Biological Oceanographer–Geological Oceanographer–Chemical Oceanographer

Special areas of Oceanography

• Physical Oceanographer – studies physical features of the ocean such as waves and currents to see how they affect weather patterns and aquatic life.• Biological Oceanographer – studies plants

and animals that live in the ocean.

Special areas of Oceanography

• Geological Oceanographer – studies and explores the ocean floor for clues to the Earth’s history.• Chemical Oceanographer – studies

amounts and distributions of natural and human made chemicals in the ocean.

Reading Check: Describe four

special areas of oceanography?

Other Branches of Earth Science

• Meteorology – the scientific study of the Earth’s atmosphere, especially in relation to weather and climate.• Astronomy – the study of the universe.–Astronomers study stars, asteroids, planets,

and everything in space.

Reading Check: What do

astronomers study?

Special Branches of Earth Science

• Environmental Science• Ecology•Geochemistry•Geography• Cartography

Environmental Science• The study of how humans interact with

the environment.–Task: to determine how humans affect the

environment.

• Environmental science relies on: geology, life science, chemistry, and physics to help preserve Earth’s resources and to teach others how to use them wisely.

Ecology• The study of the relationships between

organisms and their surroundings.–Ecologist – person who studies a community

of organisms and their non-living environment. –They work in fields such as – wildlife

management, agriculture, forestry, and conservation.

Geochemistry• Combines the studies of geology and

chemistry.–geochemists – specialize in the chemistry

of rocks, minerals, and soil. –Can determine: the economic value of the materials

and what the environment was like when the rocks first formed.–Also studies: the distribution and effect of chemicals

added to the environment by human activity.

Geography/Cartography• Physical geographers – studies the surface

features of Earth.–Educated in geology, biology, and physics

• Cartographers – make maps of those features by aerial and satellite photos, and computer mapping systems.

Reading Check: What do

cartographers do?

Section Review:Pg. 11-#’s: 1-7, 9, 11

Section 2: Scientific Methods in Earth

Science

Reading Check: How do scientists

learn about the natural world?

Scientific Methods• Scientific methods – are a series of steps

that scientists use to answer questions and solve problems.–No set procedure, may use all steps or just some,

may repeat steps, use steps in different order.–Goal of scientific methods: is to come up with

reliable answers and solutions. Also used to gain insight into the problems they investigate.

Steps to Scientific Method

Ask a Question• Helps focus the purpose of an

investigation.

• Sample question: What kind of dinosaur did these bones come from?

Form a Hypothesis• Is a possible explanation or answer to a

question that can be tested.

• Sample hypothesis: based on prior knowledge, these bones came from a dinosaur not yet known to scientists.

Test the Hypothesis• EXPERIMENT.• Controlled experiment – test only one

factor, or variable, at a time.–All other variables remain constant.–*If more than one variable is changed

scientists cannot easily determine which variable caused the outcome.*

Test the Hypothesis• Making observations.• Collecting data and observe nature when

variables cannot be controlled.• Sample tests: Took measurements of

dinosaur bones, compared measurements with bones from know dinosaurs. Also visited museums and talked with other scientists.

Test the Hypothesis• Keeping accurate records.• Clear, honest, and accurate records of

their experiments and observations.• Presents findings supported by scientific

data.• Repeat experiments to verify findings.

Analyze the Results• Finished testing? Analyze results.• Make graphs and tables to organize and

summarize data.• Sample analysis: Found that bones did not

match bones of known dinosaur. Bones were either too large or too different in shape.

Reading Check: Why would

scientists create graphs and tables of

their data?

Draw Conclusions• Must conclude whether the results

supported the hypothesis.• If hypothesis is not supported by test-may

repeat investigation to check for errors. OR ask new questions and form new hypotheses.• Sample conclusion: bones were from

unknown dinosaur.

Communicate Results• Share results and what was learned with

others.–Writing reports for scientific journals or give

lectures on results.

• Others evaluate evidence-review experimental procedure, data, and reasoning behind explanations (part of scientific inquiry)

• Sample of sharing: press conference and scientific journal.

Reading Check: Why is it important

for the scientific community to review

new evidence?

Case Closed?• Investigation may not be closed.–New evidence may become available–Scientist may change hypothesis based on

new evidence–May have more questions based in original

evidence

• Sample questions: What specific dinosaur ate? What environment did it live in? How did it become extinct?

Section Review:Pg. 17-#’s: 1-6, 8, 9

Section 3: Scientific Models

Scientific Models• Used to

understand the natural world.• Explain or analyze

an object, system, or concept in more detail.

Models – a pattern, plan, representation, or description designed to show the structure or workings of an object, system, or concept.

Types of Scientific Models

• Physical

• Mathematical

• Conceptual

Physical Model–Looks like the real

object.

• Ex. Model airplanes, cars, and dolls

Physical model – model that you can touch.

Mathematical Model• Simple model –

calculate how far a car will go in an hour.• Complex model –

computers needed to process information. Ex. predicting population growth in the world

Mathematical model – made up of mathematical equations and data.

Conceptual Model• Composed of

many hypotheses• Each hypothesis is

supported through scientific methods.

Conceptual model – a system of ideas or a comparison with familiar things to help illustrate or explain an idea.

Ex. big bang theory – explanation of the structure of the universe.

Reading check: What is the big bang

theory?

Choosing the Right Model

–Explains an observation but also predicts what might happen in the future

Theory – explanation that ties together many hypotheses and observations.

Climate Models

–This type of model is complicated because there are many variables that affect climate.

Climate models – used by scientists who study Earth’s atmosphere.

Reading check: Why is a climate

model complicated?

Section Review:Pg. 21-#’s: 1-6, 8, 9

Section 4: Measurement and

Safety

Using the International system

of Units (SI)• Advantage: global measurement system

created for using a standard system of measurement.

Reading Check: Why was the

International System of Units developed?

Length• Meter – the basic

unit of length in the SI, symbol (m).

• Ex. Divide 1m into 100 parts, each part equals 1cm.

Length – scientists use meters (m) to measure length.

Volume• Measuring volume–Boxed-shaped object –

lXwXh– Irregularly shaped

object – measuring the volume of liquid that the object displaces.• Using a graduated

cylinder

Volume – a measure of the size of a body or region in three-dimensional space. Liters (L)

Mass

• Kilogram (kg) or grams (g) are used to describe the mass of an object.

• Ex. 1000g=1kg

Mass – a measure of the amount of matter in an object.

Temperature

• Fahrenheit (degree F) and Celsius (degree C).

Temperature – a measure of how hot or cold something is.

Thermometer – shows the relationship between degrees (F) and degrees (C).

Area• Area is measured

by the lengthXwidth.–Units – square

units – square meters, square centimeters, square kilometers.

Area – a measure of the size of a surface or a region.

Density• Density is

measured by the mass/volume.• Ex. units – grams

per milliliter and grams per cubic centimeter.

Density – the ratio of the mass of a substance to the volume of the substance.

Safety Rules• Always follow your teachers instruction• Before starting any scientific

investigation, obtain your teacher’s permission• Read the lab procedures completely and

carefully before you start• Pay attention to safety information and

caution statements

Reading Check: What should you do

before you start a scientific

investigation?

Section Review:Pg. 25 - #’s: 1-6

Chapter Review:Pg. 28 - #’s: 1-14,

16-19