1. Scientific Method 1) Observation 2) Hypothesis (educated guess)
- must be testable
3) Experiment
- test hypothesis
- controlled experiment (tests 1 variable)
- collect data (info)
4) Conclusion
- Is the hypothesis correct?
* Theory- well tested & supported hypothesis *

2. Branches of Earth Science
Geology
- study of the Earth(rocks, minerals, formations)
- looks at physical & historical(past)
- includes Geosphere
- solid parts of Earth
Ex.- core, crust, mantle

3. Oceanography
- study of sea water, sea floor & marine life
- includes Hydrosphere
- water parts of the Earth (salt & fresh)
Meteorology
- study of the Atmosphere (air)
- includes gas layer & weather
Astronomy
- study of the universe
- includes planets, stars, asteroids, etc.

4. Determining Location on Earth
Most scientists use:
Latitude- distance north & south of the equator
Longitude- distance east & west of the
prime meridian

5. Flat Maps
- flat maps distort Earth’s features
Types
1) Mercator
- rectangular grid map
- good for directions
- size & shapes are distorted

6. 2) Robinson Projection
- shows more spherical map of Earth
- shows distance, size & shapes accurately
- most widely used

7. 3) Conic Projection
- displays small areas of Earth
- good for road & weather maps

8. 4) Gnomonic Projection
- map made from a single point projection
- useful to sailors for short distances

9. Topographic Maps
- shows elevation of the land
- contour lines – displays elevation points
on a map
- contour interval – differences in elevation
between 2 points
Ex.- close lines = steep slope
distant lines = gradual slope

10. Topographic Map