Introduction to Earth/Environmental Science

Lab Safety Rules Use lab only with directed by the teacher. ALWAYS wear safety goggles. Report any accident or incident to the teacher Confine long hair and and loose clothing whenever working with flames or chemicals Never work with chemicals without checking labels.

Lab Safety Rules cont. Never taste substances without teacher’s direction. Place broken glass and disposables in appropriate container. Wash hands before leaving the lab.

What is Earth Science? Earth Science The name for the group of sciences that deals with Earth and its neighbors in space.

Branches of Earth Science Astronomy Study of objects past the atmosphere Ex: Stars, moon, comets B. Meteorology Study of the atmosphere Processes of weather and climate  Ex: clouds, rain, hurricanes C. Geology Study of materials that make-up the Earth Processes that form and change those materials Ex: rocks, minerals, earthquakes, volcanoes D. Oceanography Study of the oceans  Ex: trenches, marine animals

Earth’s Major Spheres/Systems Hydrosphere All water on Earth Oceans, rivers, streams, lakes & seas 97% of the water is salt water 3% of water is freshwater Atmosphere Gaseous layers above the surface of Earth Weather and Climate on Earth Makes life possible on Earth

Biosphere Geosphere/Lithosphere Beneath both the Hydrosphere and Atmosphere Three Parts Core Mantle Crust Biosphere All organisms on Earth Environments where organisms live

How is the Earth divided? Equator, 0˚latitude, divides Earth into northern and southern hemispheres Prime Meridian, 0˚longitude, passes through Greenwich, England divide the Earth into western and eastern hemispheres

Determining Locations Global Grids Latitude distance north or south of the equator (east and west circles around the globe) Longitude distance east or west of the prime meridian (run north or south on a globe)

Topographic Maps Represents Earth’s 3-D surface in 2-D Shows elevations of the land Uses contour lines that indicates elevations Contour intervals indicate the differences in elevation between adjacent contour lines The scale is when a certain distance on the map is equal to a certain distance at the surface Ex: 1:24,000 means 1 unit on a map equals 24,000 units on the ground

Using Latitude and Longitude

What is Environmental Science? The study of how humans use resources and the affect it has on the Earth

What Environmental Science deals with? Renewable Resources Plants, animals, water, wind Nonrenewable Resources Coal, oil, natural gas Population Growth Environmental Problems Pollution, global warming Natural Hazards Flooding, droughts, earthquakes

Scientific Method /Experimental Design An organized plan for gathering, organizing and communication of information GOAL Solve a problem Better understand something

Experimental Design Problem/Question What do you want to know? Research Hypothesis Experiment Test your hypothesis Collect and Analyze Data Conclusion Accept, reject, or modify the hypothesis

Evolution of a Scientific Idea Hypothesis  An educated guess 2. Theory Extensively tested hypothesis Can be modified with new data Still can be proven wrong 3. Scientific Law Generalized rule to explain observations Summarizes a pattern in nature Ex: Law of Gravity

Parts of an Experiment Variable Independent Variable Factor that changes Two types Independent variable Dependent variable Independent Variable Fact YOU change AKA: Manipulated Variable Dependent Variable Factor that changes BECAUSE you changed something AKA: Responding Variable

Constant Trial Factors that never are changed from test to test Repeating the experiment 3 times for best result

Experimental Design Practices Asking Questions and Defining Problems Developing and Using Models Planning and Carrying Out Investigations Analyzing and Interpreting Data Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions Engaging in Argument from Evidence Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information

Measurement Types LENGTH Straight line distance between two points How long something is SI unit = meters (m) Tools for finding Meter stick or ruler

Temperature Amount of heat given off by an object Molecular Motion How hot or cold something is SI unit = Kelvin (K) ºC, ºF Tools for finding Thermometer

MASS How much Matter is in an object SI unit: kilogram (kg) Tools for Finding Balances or scales Note: Mass and Weight are two different things Mass never changes from place to place

VOLUME Amount of Space an object takes up Units: L, mL, cm3 Tools: graduated cylinder or ruler Three Different Methods for finding Volume Regular object Irregular object Liquid

Finding Volume Liquids (water) Regular Object (block) Place the liquid in a graduated cylinder and read the level Regular Object (block) L * W * H Irregular Object (rock) Do Water Displacement Subtract water level without object from water level with object

Density Mass per unit Volume Unit: g/mL or g/cm3 Formula Density = mass ÷ volume Density of water is 1 g/mL Less means float More means sink