rinciples of

Science
Experiment
s and
Hypotheses
Scientific Method
The Scientific Method is a
way that scientists are
able to
gain understanding about
the universe. The
Scientific Method
consists of:
 esearch

test a hypothesis.
Earth
Science
Study
Guide
Study
GUide
Study Tip
Remember that the steps
in
the scientific method may
not
always happen in the
order
they are listed in. You may
want to do background
info
before designing an
experiment. If your
hypothesis
does not work, you may
want
to develop a new
hypothesis or
new experiment.
Here is a flow chart that
outlines how to use
the scientific method in
order to draw results
and formulate a
conclusion.
Branches of Earth Science
Presents the branches of earth science including geology,
oceanography, meteorology, climatology, environmental science, and
astronomy.
 Identify and define the major branches of Earth Science.
If science is the study of the natural world, what
could be more obvious than to study the land,
sky, water, and space, surrounding us?
Earth scientists seek to understand the beautiful sphere on which we
live. Earth is a very large, complex system or set of systems, so most
Earth scientists specialize in studying one aspect of the planet. Since all
of the branches of Earth science are connected, these researchers work
together to answer complicated questions. The major branches of Earth
science are described below.

Geology
Geology is the study of the Earth’s solid material and structures and the
processes that create them. Some ideas geologists might consider
include how rocks and landforms are created or the composition of
rocks, minerals, or various landforms. Geologists consider how natural
processes create and destroy materials on Earth, and how humans can
use Earth materials as resources, among other topics.

Geologists study rocks in the field to learn what they can from them.

Oceanography
Oceanography is the study of everything in the ocean environment,
which covers about 70% of the Earth’s surface. Recent technology has
allowed people and probes to venture to the deepest parts of the
ocean, but much of the ocean remains unexplored. Marine geologists
learn about the rocks and geologic processes of the ocean basins.

Climatology and Meteorology

Meteorology includes the study of weather patterns, clouds, hurricanes,
and tornadoes. Using modern technology such as radars and satellites,
meteorologists are getting more accurate at forecasting the weather all
the time.
Climatology is the study of the whole atmosphere, taking a long-range
view. Climatologists can help us better understand how and why climate
changes (Figure below).
Carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere is causing the global climate to change.

Environmental Science
Environmental scientists study the effects people have on their
environment, including the landscape, atmosphere, water, and living
things. Climate change is part of climatology or environmental science.

Astronomy
Astronomy is the study of outer space and the physical bodies beyond
the Earth. Astronomers use telescopes to see things far beyond what
the human eye can see. Astronomers help to design spacecraft that
travel into space and send back information about faraway places or
satellites (Figure below).
The Hubble Space Telescope.

Summary
 The study of Earth science includes many different fields, including
geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy.
 Each type of Earth scientist investigates the processes and
materials of the Earth and beyond as a system.
 Geology, climatology, meteorology, environmental science, and
oceanography are important branches of Earth science.
Review
1. What type of Earth scientist would be interested in understanding
volcanic eruptions on the seafloor?
2. If it were to snow in Phoenix in July, which type of Earth scientist
would be most surprised?
3. If people have been studying the natural world for centuries or
even millennia, why are scientists learning so much about Earth
science now?
Principles of
Science
Experiment
s and
Hypotheses
Scientific Method
The Scientific Method is a
way that scientists are
able to
gain understanding about
the universe. The
Scientific Method
consists of:
 Asking a question
 Doing background
research
 Creating a hypothesis
 Doing experiments or
making observations in
order to
test the hypothesis
 Gathering data
 Formulating a
conclusion
It is important that the
scientist conducting the
experiment is asking a
question that can be
answered
using data. A question like
this is called a “scientific
question.”
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is an
explanation for
phenomena. A
hypothesis must be:
 Testable
 Falsifiable
One can create multiple
hypotheses to be tested
through
experimentation. Doing
this is called having
multiple
working hypotheses.
Another way to test a
hypothesis is by looking
to scientific literature for
data.
Testing
Hypotheses
There are many different
ways to test a hypothesis.
You can:
 Develop an experiment
that uses the scientific
method in order to
generate data
 Look to scientific
literature in order to find
data that was generated
using the scientific
method
Using the data found, one
needs to determine
whether the hypotheses
they made are true or
false.
Concept Check
 Know the steps of the
scientific method.
 Be able to design an
experiment using the
scientific method.
 Be able to develop and
test a hypothesis.
Earth
Science
Study
Guide
Study
GUide
Study Tip
Remember that the steps
in
the scientific method may
not
always happen in the
order
they are listed in. You may
want to do background
info
before designing an
experiment. If your
hypothesis
does not work, you may
want
to develop a new
hypothesis or
new experiment.
Here is a flow chart that
outlines how to use
the scientific method in
order to draw results
and formulate a
conclusion.