Unit 0 Module 0 What is Environmental Science?

Natural experiment

A natural event that acts as an experimental treatment in an ecosystem.

Ecosystem

A particular location on Earth with interacting biotic and abiotic components.

Null hypothesis

A prediction that there is no difference between the groups or conditions that are being compared.

Environmentalism

A social movement that seeks to protect the environment through lobbying, activism, and education.

Hypothesis

A testable conjecture about how something works.

First law of thermodynamics

A theory with no known exception that states that energy is neither created nor destroyed but it can change from one form to another.

Second law of thermodynamics

A theory with no known exception that states that when energy is transformed, the quantity of energy remains the same, but its ability to do work diminishes.

Dependent variable

A variable that is dependent on other factors.

Independent variable

A variable that is not dependent on other factors.

Uncertainty

An estimate of how much a measured or calculated value differs from a true value.

Scientific method

An objective method to explore the natural world, draw inferences from it, and predict the outcome of certain events, processes, or changes.

Variable

Any categories, conditions, factors, or traits that differ in the natural world or in experimental situations.

Biotic

Living.

Abiotic

Nonliving.

Theory

A hypothesis that has been repeatedly tested and confirmed by multiple groups of researchers and has reached wide acceptance.

4 Big Ideas

Energy transfer (ENG), interaction between earth systems (ERT), interactions between different species and the environment (EIN), sustainability (STB).

Accuracy

How close a measured value is to the actual or true value.

Precision

How close the repeated measurements of a sample are to one another.

Control group

In a scientific investigation, a group that experiences exactly the same conditions as the experimental group, except for the single variable under study.

Replication

The data collection procedure of taking repeated measurements.

Environmental studies

The field of study that includes environmental science and additional subjects such as environmental policy, economics, literature, and ethics.

Environmental science

The field of study that looks at interactions among human systems and those found in nature.

Sample size (n)

The number of times a measurement is replicated in data collection.

Deductive reasoning

The process of applying a general statement to specific facts or situations.

Inductive reasoning

The process of making general statements from specific facts or examples.

Environment

The sum of all the conditions surrounding us that influence life.

Sustainability

Using Earth's resources in a way that does not jeopardize future generations from engaging in similar activities.