Observation and Measurement of the Environment

Observation Interaction of our senses with our environment (surroundings) Five Senses: Sight Hear Touch/feel Taste Smell

Testing your powers of observation (a) - How can you tell? How can you be sure? (b) – Which lines in this picture are meant to fool you? (c) – Why should we use more than just our senses to observe our environment? How many did you have right?

Useful Instruments Instruments – can be used to improve or extend our powers of observation

Which to Use?

Inference An interpretation of an observation based on a persons knowledge and experience More and more dark clouds appear in the sky (O) It will/might rain (I) What observations and inferences can you make about this picture? Determine O or I

Classification Based on properties or characteristics of an object Allows investigators to organize data/objects in a logical and meaningful way. Classify the animals pictured in your note packet; use page 4 and 5.

Animals Fish Reptiles Mammal Birds Cobra Crocodile Turtle Bat Lizard Bear Gorilla Wooly Mammoth Killer Whale Blue jay Penguin Eagle Ostrich Shark Piranha Sea horse

Types of Models Physical: provides us with information through our sense of sight. Mechanical: a physical model with moving parts. Mathematical: Relationships expressed as symbols, formulas and equations. Graphic: A pictorial representation of relationships scientific and mathematic variables. Mental: exist only in ones mind

Measurement A way of expressing an observation with greater precision All consist of Numerical value (1,100,250,000) Units (g, cm, L) You can measure: Length, area, volume, mass, weight, temp, density, time,…

Linear Measurements (1-D) DISTANCE between two points Use ruler, meter stick, measuring tape… Unit = meters 1m = 100cm 1m = 1000mm 1000m = 1 km Linear measurements that we will collect in Earth Science will be in cm or m

2-D Measurements Area: represents the amount of surface space. Use meter stick or ruler (cm only) Length x Width Units = “square” units cm 2, m 2, km 2

3-D Measurements Volume: represents the amount of space an “object” occupies. Liquids Use a graduated cylinder Units = ml Solids Use a meter stick Length x Width x Height Units = “cubic” units; cm 3 or cc, m 3 1cc = 1 ml

Water Displacement To find volume of an irregular solid Volume of water - volume of water and marble = Volume of marble

Mass Represents the amount of matter an object possesses. Use electronic scale or triple-beam balance Units = grams, kilograms

Weight Represents the amount of gravity acting on an object Uses a spring scale Units = Newtons (metric), ounces/pounds (English) Mass effects weight, gravity effects weight.

Measuring the Mass of a Liquid or Irregular Solid Liquid Mass: Measure the mass of the empty cylinder Remove from balance; pour liquid to desired volume Measure the mass of the liquid + cylinder Mass of both – Mass of empty GC = Mass of liquid Irregular Solid Mass: Measure mass of dish or holder Remove from balance; add solid mass Measure mass of dish and holder Mass of both – Mass of empty dish = Mass of solid

Density Concentration of matter in an object Ratio of mass per unit volume Formula: Density=Mass OR D=M Volume V Increasing Density Found on pg _____ in your ESRT’s

Measuring Density Instruments: Liquid; VolumeGraduated Cylinder (ml) MassTriple Beam Balance (g) Soild; VolumeG.C. or meter stick (ml, cc) MassTriple beam balance (g) Units: g/ml; grams per milliliter g/cm 3 ; grams per centimeters cubed

Density Problems M = 150g, V = ___cm 3 ; Density = ? M = 80g, V = ___ml; Density = ? 5 cm 1 cm 2 cm Mass  Volume = Density 150g  10cm 3 = ___ g/cm 3 Mass  Volume = Density 80g  25ml = _____ g/ml

Density problems M = ___g, V = ? ; D = 5.5g/cm 3 Volume = Mass  Density ____cm 3 = 44g  5.5g/cm 3 V = 8cm 3 = l x w x h L = W = H = l w h D = M/V V = M/D M = V x D

Density Relationships Size of sample: Constant Temperature of sample: indirect State of sample: indirect Pressure on sample: direct Indirect Constant Direct

Density and Sample Size The size of an object does not determine or effect the density of the object’s material. M = 6g V = 1cm 3 D = 6g/cm 3 M = 24g V = 4cm 3 D = 6g/4cm 3 Constant Size Density

Density Vs. Temperature As the temperature of an object increases, its density decreases. Heat Volume - increases Mass - remains the same Density- decreases Density Temperature Indirect

Density Vs. States of Matter Decreasing Density Solid, Liquid, gas Density  Water has a maximum density as a liquid (4 o C) Solid, Liquid, gas Density of water Indirect

Density Vs. Pressure (on a gas) As the pressure on an object increases, its density increases. Volume - Decreases Mass - Remains the same Density - increases Pressure Density Direct

Temperature Refers to the average kinetic energy of the molecules within matter Instruments: Thermometer Units – Degrees: Fahrenheit Celsius Kelvin Conversion Formulas: o K = o C o C = ( o F – 32) / 1.8 o F = 1.8 ( o C) + 32

Kelvin Celsius Fahrenheit