Earth ScienceThe Nature of Science Chapter 1

Let’s talk Earth Science.. What is it?

Astronomy

Meteorology

Geology

Oceanography

AstronomyThe study of objects beyond Earth’s

atmosphere.

MeteorologyThe branch of Earth Science that studies the air that surrounds our planet.

Geology

The study of materials that make up Earth

and the processes that

form and change these

materials.

OceanographyThe study of the Earth’s

oceans, which cover nearly ¾ of the planet.

Earth’s Systems

Scientists who study Earth have identified 4 main Earth systems:

1.The Lithosphere

2.The Hydrosphere

3.The Atmosphere

4.The Biosphere

The LithosphereIt’s the rigid outer shell of the planet and

includes the crust and the solid, uppermost part of the layer below the

crust, the mantle.

The HydrosphereThe water in the Earth’s oceans,

seas, lakes, rivers, and glaciers, as well as the water in the atmosphere,

makes up the hydrosphere.

The AtmosphereThe blanket of gases that surrounds our planet. Protects us from the sun and keeps the planet at a temperature suitable for life.

The Atmosphere contains:

78% Nitrogen (N)21 % Oxygen (O)

The remaining 1 % of gases in the atmosphere include water vapor, Argon, Carbon Dioxide, and other trace gases.

The BiosphereIncludes all organisms on Earth as well as the environments in

which they live.

Methods of Scientists

Are you a scientist? Have you ever picked up a rock and peered at it for clues about it’s origin?

Have you ever made a decision about what to wear after having observed the clouds in the sky?

Have you wondered where your cellphone comes from?

If you answered

yes,

You have

thought like a

scientist

Scientists use the Scientific Method

The scientific method is a planned, organized approach to solving a problem. It contains steps.

Step 1

Observation:

Seeing, hearing, touching

Step 2

Ask a question:

Why or how?

Step 3

Make a HYPOTHESIS: Educated guess. What causes something to happen?

A good scientific experiment tests only one variable, or changeable factor at a time.

The INDEPENDENT variable in an experiment is the factor that is manipulated by the experimenter.

The DEPENDENT variable is the factor that can change if the independent variable is changed.

Controlled experiment

Where only one variable changes at a time (it is controlled.)

Predict, test and Conclude

During an experiment, all data, including measurements and observations are carefully recorded. You may use graphs, tables, or charts. Once that is finished, you analyze your data so a conclusion can be drawn.