Geology Ch.1
What are some examples of "bad" science?
1. Attacking scientists rather than the science 2. Misuse of authority 3. Confusing cause and effect 4. Poor statistics
Luis and Walter Alvarez suggested the dinosaurs became extinct when an asteroid collided with the earth. Is this a hypothesis or an observation?
A hypothesis
What is the third characteristic of good science?
A scientific hypothesis is based on observations or experiments, must be reproducible
What is the first characteristic of good science?
A scientific hypothesis is tentative and can change
What is the fourth characteristic of good science?
A scientific hypothesis offers a well-defined natural cause to explain a natural event
What is the second characteristic of good science?
A scientific hypothesis should be predictable and testable - test results should either support or falsify the hypothesis
Which is the best description of a scientific study?
A scientific study involves making hypotheses, collecting data, and performing experiments or testing claims, to reach a conclusion supported by evidence.
Sustainable Society
A society that satisfies its need for resources without jeopardizing the needs of future generations
Prediction
A statement of what will happen in a given situation or set of circumstances
Hypothesis
A testable explanation that can be verified or falsified
They noted that the rare element iridium was present in 65 million year old rock layers. Is this a hypothesis or an observation?
An observation
Which is an example of inductive reasoning?
C. Therefore, massive hurricanes with low air pressures of around 900 mbar or less will cause large amounts of damage if they make landfall.
Indirect Information
Data is collected and then used for interpretation of something else (i.e. measurements of magnetic susceptibility are used to determine rock type present on the ocean floor)
All dolphins are mammals, all mammals have kidneys; therefore all dolphins have kidneys. Is this inductive or deductive reasoning?
Deductive reasoning
All numbers ending in 0 or 5 are divisible by 5. The number 35 ends with a 5, so it must be divisible by 5. Is this inductive or deductive reasoning?
Deductive reasoning
During orientation Amy learned that all classrooms on campus were air conditioned. She decided to bring a sweatshirt to class even on the hottest days. What type of reasoning did Amy use?
Deductive reasoning
Inductive Reasoning
Drawing general conclusions from specific observations.
Deductive Reasoning
Drawing specific conclusions based upon general principles.
Observations
Facts, measurements, information, data collected using the senses
Which is an example of deductive reasoning?
Hurricane Sandy must be a low-pressure system.
Which of the following statements is most accurate?
Hypothesis are only as good as the observations on which they are based.
Amy always leaves for school at 7:00 a.m. Amy is always on time. Amy assumes, then, that she if she leaves at 7:00 a.m. for school today, she will be on time. What type of reasoning did Amy use?
Inductive reasoning
Every time you eat peanuts, you start to cough. You are allergic to peanuts. Is this inductive or deductive reasoning?
Inductive reasoning
Kathie studied the geology of several Hawaiian volcanoes and used her data to predict the potential dangers from the eruption of similar volcanoes on the Galapagos Islands. What type of reasoning did she apply?
Inductive reasoning
Non-renewable resources
Oil, coal, metals
Modeling
Physical of computer models that simulate earth processes (i.e. wave tanks)
Is evacuation of a city in advance of a hurricane an example of prevention or adjustment?
Prevention
Prevention example
Prevention of flooding as a result of construction of flood walls and levees
What is the earth scientist's role in society?
Provide for material needs of society by managing natural resources
Direct Measurements
Samples or data are collected at field locations (i.e. rock samples are collected from an outcrop)
Adjustment
Strategies for minimizing the impact of hazards
What are some limitations of science?
Technology of measurement, culture, social norms, ethics, and religion.
Why is Earth a "system?"
The earth has interacting components like any system.
Renewable Resources examples
Trees, wind, sunlight, water
