Chapter 2: Nature of Science

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Chapter 2 Nature of Science
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Chapter 2.1
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The Scientists Mind
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3 Scientists, 3 Individuals

• Carl Sagan a noted astronomer popularized
  science through books and TV.
• Enriqueta Barrera became interested in local
  geology while taking walks. Now the director of
  Geology at National Science Foundation
• Evan Forde 1st African American in the Alvin
  (submersible sub.)
• All 3 scientists became Earth Scientists due to
  curiosity

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Different lives common Goals

• Scientists will teach research in labs or out in
  nature, on or in oceans.
• Scientists look at the world in both logic and
  curiosity.

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Qualities of Scientific Thinking

• Scientists are observant they make predictions
  based on evidence (materials or data that can be
  measured and tested to verify a prediction)
• Hypothesis a tentative explanation for an
  observation of phenomenon

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• Must be skeptical they question long-held
  assumptions and try to prove or disprove ideas
• Technology is the practical application of
  science to meet human needs.
• The object of scientific study is to understand
  the natural world.

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Chapter 2.2
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Scientific Methods of Inquiry

• Creativity plays a large role in science along
  with logic
• Being able to test ideas with experiments is the
  key to much of science

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How scientists approach questions

• Scientific Inquiry - which involves observing,
  asking questions, forming a hypothesis, gathering
  data testing the hypothesis, and sharing what has
  been learned

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Peer Review and Scientific Journals

• After the experiment the new knowledge needs to
  be shared with and tested by other scientists
• To share the knowledge Scientific Journals are
  used
• If the experts agree the paper has merit, it my
  be published
• If the experts feel the scientist has not done
  enough to prove her point it is not published and
  sent back with suggestions

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Importance of testing Ideas

• Some advances that look promising fall short when
  tested
• E.g. cold fusion HH He

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Scientific Theories and Laws

• Theory is an explanation of observable events or
  facts for which no exception has been found
• Theories rise and fall from favor and new
  information comes to light.
• Scientific law a re generalizations about how
  the natural world behaves under certain
  conditions
• No exceptions have ever been found

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Chapter 2.3
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Scientists Tools
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Geology

• Rock hammer used to collect specimens in the
  field
• Soil augers pulls up a sample of soil
• Crushers to pulverize materials to study
• Range finders distance
• Seismographs to determine composition of rock
  below ground

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Tools to study Sky and Stars

• Meteorologist
• Thermometers
• Arco vane wind speed and direction
• Radar and satellites
• Astronomer
• Telescopes - light, radio, x-rays, infrared

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Tools with many uses

• Computers and satellites have revolutionized
  earth science