Studying Earth Science

Chapter One: Science is Everywhere

• 1.1 Learning about Science

• 1.2 Observing the World

• 1.3 Using the Scientific Method

Investigation 1B

• Is the flow rate constant no matter how much water is in the bucket?

Observation, Question and Hypothesis

1.3 Using the Scientific Method

• Begin with an observation.

• Sam wonders “Why is the grass brown near the area where students wait for the bus?”

1.3 The hypothesis

• Based on his observation, Sam states a hypothesis:

– Students walk on the grass near the area where they wait for the bus.

• A hypothesis is tested to see if it is correct or not.

1.3 Data• Pieces of information that are collected to

test a hypothesis are called data.

• Qualitative data are in the form of words.

1.3 Data

• Quantitative data are in the form of numbers.

1.3 Steps of the scientific method

• Scientists collect data by performing an experiment.

• After the experiment is complete, they study the data and reach a conclusion.

1.3 What is a good hypothesis?

Two other possible explanations for Sam’s observations are:

1. The grass near the walkway is brown because it is not getting enough water.

2. The grass near the walkway is brown because it is not getting enough fertilizer.

Both are good hypotheses because they can be TESTED.

1.3 The Lab Report

• A lab report follows the steps of the scientific method.

• An incorrect hypothesis is another piece of information that you can use to answer a new scientific question.

1.3 Scientific facts, laws and theories

• Scientific facts are statements that are accepted as being true because the facts have been repeatedly measured or observed.

Can you think of a scientific fact about the sun or earth?

1.3 Scientific facts, laws and theories

• Both a scientific law and a scientific theory are statements that are supported by observations and lots of scientific evidence.

How is a scientific theory different from a hypothesis?

1.3 Scientific facts, laws and theories

• An example of a scientific theory is the theory of plate tectonics.

• Even accepted scientific laws and theories are constantly tested by new experiments.

Geology Connection

• Volcanoes are an important feature on Earth and other planets.

• Our planet has the most volcanoes in the solar system.

• Rosaly Lopes is a planetary volcanologist who searches for and studies volcanoes on Earth and elsewhere in the solar system.

Dr. Rosaly Lopes- Volcano Scientist