Fields of Earth Science
You are studying how the Andes mountains are formed. What field of Earth Science does this deal with?
Geology
You are curious if using your phone right before bed makes it harder to go to sleep. Identify the independent variable in an experiment to test this.
If you use your phone before bed or not.
The most common element in the universe is hydrogen
Fact
A model of a baseball stadium is 2 ft wide. The actual stadium is 200 yd wide. What is the scale of the model?
1 foot = 100 yards
What type of scientific model would best be used to represent a molecule of water?
Physical
You are testing the water in the River Raisin. What field of Earth Science is this?
Hydrology
A student is planning an experiment to find out how the height from which he drops a ball affects how high the ball bounces. What is the dependent variable?
Height the ball bounces
Name two scientific theories.
Atomic Theory
Big Bang Theory
Evolution
The distance on a map from Seattle to Chicago is 4.5 inches. If the scale of the map is 1 inch = 275 miles, find the actual distance.
1237.5 miles
study of fossils
Paleontology
You are observing a lunar eclipse. What field of Earth Science is this?
astronomy
An investigation was done to see if keeping the lights on for different amounts of time each day affected the number of eggs chickens lay. What are three constants for this investigation?
age of chicken
amount of food
color of light
temperature
You observe that upon waking each morning your trash can is overturned and trash is spread around the yard. You suspect that raccoons are responsible.
Hypothesis
A model house was built using a scale of 5 in = 25 ft. What is the scale factor of this model? Is this an enlargement or a reduction?
1/60 reduction
Study of the atmosphere and weather
Meteorology
What are the four main branches of Earth Science?
Astronomy, Geology, Oceanography, Meteorology
You are curious if the temperature at which bread is stored affects the rate at which is molds? What would be an appropriate control group for this investigation?
Bread stored at room temperature. A control is a standard used for comparison. You eliminate the independent variable if possible and if not, take the "normal" treatment.
The tooth fairy takes teeth left underneath children's pillows and leaves money or a small gift in its place.
Belief
What is the difference between a scale and a scale factor for a model?
A scale factor must be in the same units. If the scale factor is > 1 it is an enlargement. If the scale factor is < 1 it is a reduction.
The scale does not need to be in the same units.
We use the CER model to make persuasive scientific arguments. What does each letter of the model stand for?
Claim (Statement)
Evidence (Numerical data)
Reasoning (Scientific explanation)
Give a specific example of something you could study in each of the four major fields of Earth Science.
Meteorology = hurricanes
Geology = Rock cycle
Astronomy = H-R diagram and star evolution
Oceanography = ocean currents
You are an avid bird watcher and are curious what the best type of bird seed is to attract the greatest diversity of birds. Identify the IV, DV, and 3 constants for an investigation to determine this?
IV: different types of bird seed
DV: number of different species of birds
Constants: time of year, weather, location of bird seed, amount of time seed is out
Give an example of each of the following:
1. fact
2. Law
3. Theory
4. Belief
1. Fact: the Earth is a sphere
2. Law: Newton's 2nd Law of Motion
3. Theory: Theory of relativity
4. Belief: Bigfoot roams the woods of Canada
Name the three types of models. Give an example of each type.
Physical: skeleton
Conceptual: Water cycle
Mathematical: Graph of distance and velocity of galaxies
What is the difference between the control group and experimental group in controlled experiments?
The control group is the standard of comparison. It doesn't change the IV if possible. The experimental groups all have changes to the IV to see if it affects the DV.