9/8 Flashcards
What is science?
Science is an evidence based process that we use to understand the natural world
How does the scientific method work?
-We make observations
-come up with a hypothesis to explain observation
-use the hypothesis to make predictions
-test the predictions
-discuss the results
What is a hypothesis?
A testable statement that is supported or not supported
Why must a hypothesis be testable?
If it is not testable, it is just a speculation and not science
Why do changes in a hypothesis represent the success, rather than the failure, of the scientific method?
They represent the progress of science to continually improve and provide more meaningful solutions
What are the differences between scientific hypothesis, theories, and scientific facts?
-A hypothesis is a testable statement
-theories are major ideas that are supported by many years of experiments and observations (strongest scientific idea)
-facts are direct and repeatable evidence
Why is it important to look at the credentials and biases of anyone making a scientific claim?
People can make claims because they are being paid to do so, or are profiting off of the claim, or they may not be qualified to make the claim or speak about the subject
What is the difference between primary literature and secondary literature? Why is it important to check these sources when you are evaluating a scientific claim?
Primary literature includes research and secondary literature Interprets and analyzes the primary sources. When evaluating a scientific claim you want to make sure that you have a primary source
What is the difference between correlation and causation?
Correlation does not always show causation. Just because two things happen at the same time it doesn’t mean that one cause the other to happen we need to find more evidence of causation then just closeness in time
What is pseudoscience?
Pseudoscience is a proposition, a finding or a system of explanation that is presented as science but that lacks the rigor essential to the scientific method. Pseudoscience can also be the result of research that is based on faulty premises, a flawed experimental design or bad data
How are the ways that Geoscientists study the earth different from the ways that a physicist or a chemist might?
Earth scientist combine concepts from other disciplines. Studying the earths system is unique because you study the range of scale, the range of time, and the need to visualize what cannot be seen.
How does qualitative data differ from quantitative data?
Quantitative data are data about numeric variables (e.g. how many; how much; or how often). Qualitative data are measures of ‘types’ and may be represented by a name, symbol, or a number code. Qualitative data are data about categorical variables (e.g. what type).
How are interpretations different from data?
Data collection is the systematic recording of information; data analysis involves working to uncover patterns and trends in datasets; data interpretation involves explaining those patterns and trends.
What is the principle of uniformitarianism?
the assumption that the same natural laws and processes that operate in our present-day scientific observations have always operated in the universe in the past and apply everywhere in the universe.
How does the modern view of uniformitarianism embrace natural phenomena that we can’t directly observe?
If you can understand the geological process that are responsible for things you presently see in nature, you can infer that similar processes are responsible for similar features in ancient rocks and landscapes.
What is the system? What are the components of a system?
Hey system is a group of interrelated parts that function as a complex whole. The components of a system or reservoir of matter or energy, an attribute of a system (such as temperature or pressure), or a sub system that can have its only components
Reservoir, stock, flux
The contents of a Reservoir are called a stock. Movement of matter or energy from one reservoir to another is called a flux. For example a reservoir is a holder, stock is the content that is being held, flux is the contents that are flowing out of the reservoir
Earth subsystems and major spheres
-atmosphere: envelope of gas surrounding earth
-hydrosphere: reservoirs of liquid water
-cryosphere: reservoirs of frozen water (snow and ice)
-biosphere: all living organisms
-geodphere: solid and molten minerals and rocks
The interactions of different components make up the subsystems of the earth system.
-climate system: interactions between the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, and geosphere. Controls the surface environment and temperature.
-plate tectonic system: interactions between the lithosphere, asthenosphere, and deep mantle. Create mountains and produce volcanos that resupply the atmosphere and oceans with water and gases.
-geodynamo system: interactions between the earths fluid outer core and solid inner core. Generates the magnetic feild
Describe the two heat engines that power the earth system
 Internal heat is powered by heat energy deep within the interior of the planet. The system drives movement in the mantle and core, supplying the energy that melts rocks, moves continents, and lifts up mountains. The internal heat engine powers the plate tectonics system and the climate system.
Earths external heat engine is powered by the sun. It energizes the atmosphere and oceans and is responsible for earths climate and weather
Describe balancing feedback versus reinforcing feedback and be able to recognize which is which
Reinforcing feedback (positive) diminishes the stability of a system. They force accelerated change in the system. They promote a cascade of events that propels the system towards accelerating change.
Bouncing feedbacks enhance the stability of a system. They counteract the fact of the initial event and help to regulate the system
Reinforcing feedbacks amplify change and balancing feedbacks resist change
What is the electric blanket system
When you turn up the controller, the temperature of the blanket increases, which causes your body temperature to increase. This is a positive coupling because when the blank a temperature increases your body temperature also increases. If your body temperature increases above its comfort level, you decrease the heat coming from the blanket by turning down the controller. This is a negative coupling because when your body temperature increases, the blanket temperature decreases.
What is the definition of a rock
Rocks are naturally occurring solids composed of one or more minerals. Rocks Our a record of the environment in which it is formed
How do igneous rocks form?
Igneous rocks are formed when molten material cools and crystallizes.
What is magma and how is it different from lava?
When molten rock is below earth surface it is called magma. When molten rock is at earths surface it is called lava.
Lava cools quickly at the earth surface and produces small crystals (extrusive). Magma cools slowly And produces large crystals (intrusive).
