Earth Space Review 1

Earth Space Review Lesson 1

Scientific Method

Rocks

Observation/Inference

Earth Systems

Scientific Method

A series of steps used to help you solve a problems or answer a question. Several steps are part of this problem solving strategy.

2 Groups

• Tested Group - the group that gets the Independent Variable (IV) - the item you are testing

• Control Group - the group that goes through the testing process but does not have the item you are testing.

• The results of both groups are compared to each other to see if the item you are testing worked or not.

Independent Variable (IV)

• The item being tested

• Can only have 1 item tested during the test

Dependent Variable (DV)

• The results of the item you are testing

• Compare these results to the results of a normal group that goes through the same process without the item you are testing. Lets you know if what you are testing worked or not.

Control/Constant

• Control is the item that is normal the and does not get tested for new results. Its results are used to compare to the DV

• Constant is the items (there is always more than one) that stays the same for both groups - Tested Group and Control Group

Conclusion

Stating the results (dependent variable) of the item you tested (independent variable) and what happened. Did the test results do as you predicted in your hypothesis? If y es good, if no - redo hypothesis or item you are testing and test again.

Rocks

• These are natural, solid mixtures of minerals or grains.

• 3 major types - Igneous, Sedimentary and Metamorphic

Rock Cycle

A process rocks change from one type to another through various (different) methods.

Igneous Rock

Rocks that are created from molten rock called magma (below the earth's surface - cools slowly with large crystals) aka Intrusive Rock or lava (above the earth's surface - cools quickly with small crystals) aka Extrusive Rock

Examples of Igneous rocks: Obsedian, pumice, basal

Sedimentary Rocks

Rocks that form when any rock type is broken up into smaller pieces and rocks dissolved in water and pressed together to form a solid rock. They also form where rock sediments are deposited from rivers, streams, hills and other locations on earth. These generally have large grains that can be seen easily.

Examples of Sedimentary Rocks:

Limestone, marble, gneiss (pronounced nice)

Metamorphic Rock

Rocks that form from another type of rock and change when they are exposed to extreme temperature and pressure changes. These rocks are identified by the crystal layers or bands in the rock aka foliated rock.

Observation vs Inference

• Observation is something that can easily be seen

• Example - You see mudpuddles on the ground

• Inference is a guess or idea of what you "think" happened

  
  

• Example - You think it rained last night

Earth Systems

Geosphere (land)

Hydrosphere (water)

Biosphere (living things)

Atmosphere (air)

They all interact with each other.

Geosphere

Any of the almost spherical concentric regions of matter that make up the earth and its atmosphere, as the lithosphere and hydrosphere

Biosphere

All living things.

The worldwide sum of all ecosystems

Atmosphere

The layers of gases that surround the earth.

Each layer has specific features. Most weather occurs in the layer called the troposphere.

Hydrosphere

All the waters on the earth's surface, such as lakes and seas, and in the atmosphere. The water cycle is an important part of this system. Cryosphere includes all water in the solid form.