Basic Earth System Issues Flashcards
Earth system science
Studying the Earth as if it were a single entity with interacting components
Inductive Reasoning
Generalizing something based on an observation
(most major scientific theories)
Deductive reasoning
If-then conclusion based on premises
(model projections, careful, reasoning be foolproof)
Heisenberg uncertainty principle
Conceptual Models
daisy world
EMICs
describe GCMs
full-form, detailed, slow
Hypothesis
An idea or proposition that can be tested with observations or experiments about the natural world
Testable explanation for observations
Scientific hypothesis
scientific evaluation and falsifiable
Falsifiable
Sentences worded in a way that they can be proven incorrect
Theory
When multiple hypotheses are tested positive
Highest level of scientific knowledge
Rigorous
Disaprovability
Assumptions
Observations
Fact
Law
Difficult to establish
Arrogant to presume
System
components of a set that work together as one
Earth system
Atmosphere
Biosphere
Lithosphere
Hydrosphere
Anthropocene
recent and current geological period dominated by humans and their major impacts
Feedback
how part of a system responds to change or information from another
Positive feedback
amplifies stimulus or change
(ie compound interest)
Negative feedback
reduces or dampens change
(ie friction)
Negative Feedback Loop
System positive feedback example
when white ice melts it is replaced by black sea water which absorbs more sunlight which increases the temperature which causes more ice to melt (repeats)
Positive to negative feedback