Scientific MethodScientific Method

Unit One: Scientific MethodUnit One: Scientific Method

What is science?What is science?

Have you ever had a question about how Have you ever had a question about how something works?something works?- If you answered yes to this questions than you If you answered yes to this questions than you

have behaved in a similar manner as a scientist. have behaved in a similar manner as a scientist.

Science is about understanding how the universe Science is about understanding how the universe works and the reasons for why things work the works and the reasons for why things work the way they do. way they do. Science is a body of knowledge and an organized method for finding answers to problems.

Why is Las Vegas so hot and dry?Why is Las Vegas so hot and dry? Why are some lavas that erupt smooth and flat, Why are some lavas that erupt smooth and flat,

and others are round and pillow-like?and others are round and pillow-like?

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method The process by which a scientist The process by which a scientist

finds an explanation to an event.finds an explanation to an event.

It is a way of approaching and It is a way of approaching and solving a problem, or answering a solving a problem, or answering a question, that is logical and question, that is logical and straightforward and can be applied straightforward and can be applied to both everyday situations and to both everyday situations and specialized research topics. specialized research topics.

Steps to the Scientific Steps to the Scientific MethodMethod

Ask a Ask a QuestionQuestion Do Background Do Background ResearchResearch Construct a Construct a HypothesisHypothesis Test Your Hypothesis by Doing Test Your Hypothesis by Doing

an an ExperimentExperiment AnalyzeAnalyze Your Data and Draw a Your Data and Draw a

ConclusionConclusion Communicate Your ResultsCommunicate Your Results

Steps to the scientific Steps to the scientific methodmethod

Question:Question: What is your purpose? What is your purpose? Research:Research: What is already known about What is already known about

this topic?this topic? Hypothesis:Hypothesis: Based on your research Based on your research

what do you predict is going to happen.what do you predict is going to happen. Experiment:Experiment: Test your predictions. Test your predictions. Analyze:Analyze: Analyze your Data Analyze your Data Conclusion:Conclusion: Make the simplest Make the simplest

conclusion possible based on the conclusion possible based on the analysis of your dataanalysis of your data

Must be able to test a Must be able to test a hypothesis!!!!hypothesis!!!!

A scientific hypothesis must be A scientific hypothesis must be testable!testable!

This means there must be a way to This means there must be a way to prove the hypothesis wrongprove the hypothesis wrong

Are these scientific Are these scientific hypotheses?hypotheses?

1.1. Atoms are the smallest particle of Atoms are the smallest particle of matter.matter.

2.2. The universe is surrounded by a The universe is surrounded by a second universe, the existence of second universe, the existence of which cannot be detected by which cannot be detected by scientists.scientists.

3.3. The Incredible Hulk is the best The Incredible Hulk is the best super-hero ever in the world.super-hero ever in the world.

A hypothesis that is tested over and over A hypothesis that is tested over and over without being contradicted can become a without being contradicted can become a law or principle. All other competing law or principle. All other competing hypotheses must be eliminated for this to hypotheses must be eliminated for this to occur!occur!

If a scientist finds evidence that If a scientist finds evidence that contradicts a hypothesis, law, or contradicts a hypothesis, law, or principle, then the law, hypothesis or principle, then the law, hypothesis or principle must be changed or abandoned. principle must be changed or abandoned.

Scientists must accept their findings even Scientists must accept their findings even if they would like them to be different.if they would like them to be different.

ExperimentsExperiments

In experiments we have a control In experiments we have a control and 2 types of variables and 2 types of variables ControlControl is an trial of the experiment is an trial of the experiment

that is closest to the natural conditionsthat is closest to the natural conditions Independent variableIndependent variable is the variable is the variable

the scientists manipulates.the scientists manipulates. Dependant variableDependant variable results from the results from the

manipulation of the experimentmanipulation of the experiment

What is Earth Science?What is Earth Science? Earth ScienceEarth Science is the name for the group of is the name for the group of

sciences that deals with Earth and its neighbors in sciences that deals with Earth and its neighbors in space space 4 areas of study4 areas of study GeologyGeology: Study of Earth, its matter, and the : Study of Earth, its matter, and the

processes that form and change Earthprocesses that form and change Earth Physical Geology- Study of materials that make Physical Geology- Study of materials that make

up Earth and forces that shape the planetup Earth and forces that shape the planet Historical Geology- Study of physical and Historical Geology- Study of physical and

biological changes of our planet over timebiological changes of our planet over time Meteorology:Meteorology: Study of weather and the forces Study of weather and the forces

and processes that cause it.and processes that cause it. Astronomy:Astronomy: Study of objects in space Study of objects in space Oceanography:Oceanography: Study of the Earth’s Study of the Earth’s oceansoceans

Formation of the EarthFormation of the Earth

Earth is one of ? planets in our solar Earth is one of ? planets in our solar systemsystem

Earth is believed by scientists to have Earth is believed by scientists to have formed at the same time as the other formed at the same time as the other planets.planets. Nebular hypothesis- Earth formed from Nebular hypothesis- Earth formed from

an enormous rotating cloud called the an enormous rotating cloud called the solar nebula. This cloud was made up of solar nebula. This cloud was made up of mostly hydrogen and helium and very few mostly hydrogen and helium and very few heavier elements.heavier elements.

Density StratificationDensity Stratification

Over time the heavier elements sank Over time the heavier elements sank into the core of the Earth while the into the core of the Earth while the lighter, less dense materials floated lighter, less dense materials floated toward the surfacetoward the surface

This led to the division of layers This led to the division of layers within the Earth systemwithin the Earth system

Earth’s Four SpheresEarth’s Four Spheres

Hydrosphere- The water portion of Hydrosphere- The water portion of our planetour planet

Atmosphere- The gaseous portion of Atmosphere- The gaseous portion of our planetour planet

Geosphere- The rocky solid portion of Geosphere- The rocky solid portion of our planetour planet Further divided into- the core, mantle, Further divided into- the core, mantle,

and crustand crust Biosphere-Includes all life on EarthBiosphere-Includes all life on Earth

Layers of the EarthLayers of the Earth

Forces That affect our Forces That affect our EarthEarth

Destructive Forces- weathering and Destructive Forces- weathering and erosion work to wear away high erosion work to wear away high points and flatten out the surfacepoints and flatten out the surface

Constructive Forces- mountain Constructive Forces- mountain building and volcanism build up the building and volcanism build up the surface by raising the land and surface by raising the land and depositing new material in the form depositing new material in the form of lavaof lava

Earth as a SystemEarth as a System

System can be any size group of System can be any size group of interacting parts that form a complex interacting parts that form a complex wholewhole

Earth system is powered by 2 sourcesEarth system is powered by 2 sources One is the sun- which drives the external One is the sun- which drives the external

processes that occur in the atmosphere, processes that occur in the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and at Earth’s surfacehydrosphere, and at Earth’s surface

Second is Earth’s Interior- heat remains in Second is Earth’s Interior- heat remains in the core and mantle of the Earth from the the core and mantle of the Earth from the time it was formedtime it was formed

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?