1. Observations, Measurements, and Change
Regents Earth Science
Observations, Measurements, and Change

2. I.What is Earth Science?
A. The study of our planet and the universe around us….

3. 1.Four Parts of Earth Science:
a. Geology—study of our planet

4. b. Meteorology—study of our atmosphere

5. c. Astronomy—study of Earth’s motions and other objects in space

6. d. Oceanography—study of Earth’s oceans

7. How do we study these four parts?
II. Observations: using your 5 senses (sight, taste, smell, touch, hearing)
How do we study these four parts?

8. to extend the senses beyond normal limits in order to make observations that would be impossible or inaccurate.
Examples:
Microscopes
Telescopes
Measurements tools for length, mass, and volume.
1. Instruments can help:

9. From our observations, we can make…
II. Inferences:
A conclusion drawn based on your observations.
Proposed causes or explanations

10. Make an observation!

11. Make an inference!

12. ___1. The eye of the hurricane was 29 miles across.
___2. Our basement is going to flood from all of this rain.
___3. The winds reached 90 miles per hour at its worst.
___4. Many trees are not expected to withstand the high winds.
___5. School will be closed because of power outages.
___6. The winds swirled counterclockwise around the eye

13. III. Classification: the grouping of objects
based on shared characteristics.
Ex) Rocks and Stars

14. IV. Measurement: an extension of the senses to express an observation with greater accuracy and precision – consists of a numerical quantity and unit.
A. Linear measurement: (distance between two points) Base unit is the meter. (m)

15. B. Area: amount of surface space.
(A= l x w) units are square units (m2)
C. Volume: amount of space an object occupies.
* liquid units in liters (L)
*irregular shaped objects use
water displacement
*regular solid in cubic units (m3)
(V= L x W x H)

16. The longer lines on the metric ruler are called.
centimeters

17. The shorter lines on the metric ruler are called…
millimeters

18. There are…… 10 millimeters in 1 centimeter 100 centimeters in 1 meter
1,000 millimeters in 1 meter
1,000 meters in 1 kilometer
K H Da U d c m

19. Measure the shell length
Measure the shell length. Record its length in both centimeters and millimeters.
8.7 cm
87 mm

20. Measure the Lines in cm & mm

21. D. Mass: the amount of matter in an object measured in grams (g).
Triple Beam Balance /Digital Balance
Weight is the pull (force) of Earth’s gravitation on an object. Weight of an object may vary with its location, mass remains constant

22. Density Formula: Density = mass/volume (page 1 of Ref. tables)
IV. Density: concentration of matter in an object; the ratio of mass to volume.
Density Formula:
Density = mass/volume
(page 1 of Ref. tables)
Increasing density

23. Density = M/V V = L x W x H V = 6cm x 3cm x 2 cm
Solve the following density problem: The object has a mass of 100 grams.
Density = M/V
V = L x W x H
V = 6cm x 3cm x 2 cm
D = 100 g / 36 cm3
D = 2.8 g/ cm3
3 cm
6 cm
2 cm

24. B. Density Relationships:
1. Size: has no effect on density. As long as you’re dealing with the same substance.
density
size

25. 2. Temperature: as temperature increases, density decreases.

26. 3. Pressure: As pressure increases, density increases.

27. 4. States of matter: solids are denseR than liquids and gases.

28. Less Dense= FLOATs MORE DENSE=SINKs
*except water – most dense at 4 deg. Celsius (C) as a liquid
Less Dense= FLOATs MORE DENSE=SINKs

29. V. Exponential/Scientific Notation: a shorter method of expressing very large or small numerical values.
A. Steps of Scientific Notation:
1. Move the decimal so there is only one number to its left. ( _ . _ _ )
2. Count the number of spaces you moved the decimal and that is your power of 10.
If the decimal is moved from the left your power of 10 is negative. If it is moved from the RIGHT it is positive.
Example: 1,000,000 (l million) = 1 x 106
= = 1 x 10-3
1000

30. What is Change? Alteration of the environment …change can be: Instant
Over long periods of time

31. What are the two types of changes?
Cyclic Change: events will always repeat themselves in a type of pattern—can be predicted (seasons, moon phases, eclipses)

32. Non-Cyclic Change: events will not repeat themselves in a pattern—not predictable (earthquakes, weather)
**most changes are cyclic and predictable

33. Rate of Change: how fast or how slow something changes
Change in Field Value
Rate of Change = ______________________
Time
distance,
temperature
Speed (mph)