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Introduction

To

Earth Science

Name: _______________________________________________ Unit 1

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In this introductory unit, our “big idea” questions are:

What are Earth’s 4 spheres?

What sciences make up Earth Science?

What is an observation and an inference, and how are they

related?

What common scientific instruments (tools) are used in Earth

Science?

What variables exist in an experiment?

How do we graph independent and dependent variables to show

relationships between variables?

How can mathematical calculations show accuracy & relationships

between variables?

What is density and how does it affect all life on Earth?

To answer these questions, we will learn about & review:

Key Vocabulary

Earth’s 4 Spheres & Earth Science’s 4 Sciences

Observations & Inferences

o Lab: Observations & Inferences

Scientific Instruments (Tools)

Variables, Graphing & Types of Relationships

Mathematical Skills: Place Values, Rounding, Scientific Notation,

Percent Deviation, & Rate of Change

Density

o Lab: Density

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(1) __________________

(2) __________________

(3)

___________________

(4) ___________

(1) __________________

(2) __________________

(3)

___________________

(4) ____________

The Spheres of

the Earth

Sciences in

Earth Science

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Review:

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Observations vs. Inferences

Observations & Inferences Practice

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Lab 1: Observations & Inferences

(anticipated -- 90 mins.)

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Scientific Instruments

(Tools)

Measurement Scientific Instrument (Tool)

Metric Units

Volume of regular, rectangular objects (ex., a box)

Volume of irregularly-shaped objects (ex., rocks)

Mass

Distance

Time

Correctly match the different scientific tools below with its

picture

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Variables, Graphing & Types of

Relationships

Variables:

_____ types of variables exist in scientific experiments

Scientific Variables

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Let’s Practice!

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Graphing & Types of Relationships:

What is a graph?

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________

What types of relationships between variables can graphs show?

(1) ________________: The independent variable

__________________ and the dependent variable

__________________

(2) ________________: The independent variable

_________________ and the dependent variable

_________________

(3) ________________: As the independent variable

_________________, the dependent variable increases and

decreases in a _____________________ manner

(4) ________________: As one variable _________________, the

other remains the _____________

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Let’s Practice!

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REVIEW

Match the type of graph with the relationship it is

showing.

Indirect (inverse)

Cyclic

Direct

Static

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Mathematical Skills: Place Values, Rounding,

Scientific Notation, Percent Deviation, & Rate of

Change

Being mathematically literate is important in Earth Science; thus we will take time

to review SOME important math skills that will help you be successful this year.

Place Values:

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Let’s Practice!

Circle the correct answers to the following questions:

Rounding:

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

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Scientific Notation:

Scientific notation is used to make very large or very small numbers (written in

standard notation) more understandable. For very large numbers, you will move

the decimal point to the left AND count the number of times you must move it

(this will be your exponent). For very small numbers, you will follow the same

steps but move your decimal point to the right. Let’s look at some examples:

For VERY LARGE numbers:

For very small numbers:

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You must be able to write numbers in both scientific notation AND in standard

notation. Below are some practice problems:

Percent Deviation:

You may assume that every measurement you make is accurate. However you

may make mistakes when making measurements or calculating values.

Percent deviation, or percent error, is a formula that is used to quantify how

accurate you are when making measurements. In this calculation, student

measured (observed) values are compared to actual (accepted) values.

Percent Deviation (Percent Error) =

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Real-life example:

*Note: If you have a “negative” percent error, this DOES NOT mean that you have

a value less than zero. What do you think it DOES mean?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

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Let’s Practice!

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Rate of Change:

What is “change”?

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Most changes in nature are ___________________ and

_____________________________

Dynamic Equilibrium:

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Rate of change:

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

Copy down the “Rate of Change” formula from page 1 of your ESRT:

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Let’s Practice!

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Density

*Brainstorm: What is Density?*

Let’s start to answer this question by looking at p. 1 on your ESRT. The formula for

(1) Density is:

Density = ____________

(2) Density’s Units: _________, __________, or _____________

(3) Factors affecting Density:

(1) Temperature: As temperature ________, density _________

(2) Pressure: As pressure ________, density _________

*Make a Prediction: If temperature and pressure DON’T change, density will*

_______________________________________

*Make a Prediction: If an object is split into smaller pieces, density will*

_______________________________________

*Why?* __________________________________________________

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(4) Density & Phases of Matter:

Which phases do you think are most and least dense?

Let’s Practice!

1. A rock has a mass of 240g and a volume of 12 cm³. Showing all formulas

and calculations, determine the density of the rock. Record your answer to

the nearest tenth.

2. The box below has a mass of 120g. Showing all formulas and calculations,

determine the density of the box. Record your answer to the nearest tenth.

Show all work below.

2.0cm 2.0cm 10.0cm

3. If the empty graduated cylinder has a mass of 100g and the filled graduated

cylinder has a mass of 250g, what is the density of the liquid inside? Record your answer to the nearest tenth. Show all work below.

__ 100mL

100g 250g

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(5) Density of Water:

*Challenge Question* Ice is a solid.

If solids are MORE dense than liquids, then why does ice float?

___________________________________________________________________

Water is most dense at ___________°C. This is because water ________________

above and below this temperature.

Draw the graph showing the density of water versus the temperature of water.

The density of water when it is most dense is: _________________ g/mL

FLOAT OR SINK?

Any material with a density greater than water (1.00 g/mL) will ______________.

Any material with a density less than water (1.00 g/mL) will _____________.

Try the following example problem:

If an object has a mass of 25g and a volume of 50mL, will it sink or float in

liquid water? Why?

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Density Lab

(anticipated – 90 mins.)