Physical Geology

Chapter 1

Earth Science

• Study of the earth and its place in the universe

• Causes of natural events can be discovered through observation and/or experimentation

• Chinese earthquakes in 780 BCE

• Greek rocks in 200 BCE

• Mayan celestial observations (calendar)

Branches

• Oceanography

• Meteorology

• Astronomy

• Environmental Science

• GEOLOGY

Oceanography

• Study waves, tides, currents, floor and water itself

• ¾ of surface• Relatively new

Meteorology

• A study of Atmospheric conditions ,i.e., weather

• Relatively new• Relatively accurate

Astronomy

• The universe beyond the earth of which it is a part

• Practical results• Ancient study

– Calendars– Zodiac– Other constellations

Environmental Science

• Study of how humans interact with their environment, especially the abiotic

• Practical (helps us to survive)

Geology

• Study of origin, history, processes, and structure of the earth

• Ancient study• Very practical

– Equipment– Resources– Prediction

Geology Impacts

• Past environments

• Availability of resources

• Understand and interact properly and safely with environment– Roads, buildings, other structures– Conservation and preservation

• Natural forces– Volcanoes and earthquakes

Goal of Science

• Explain natural phenomena

• Use observation, based upon predictability of nature

• Use experimentation

• Pure science vs. applied science

• Improve quality of life

<Ask a question?

Go together<

Go together<

Whether conclusion is right or wrong

Observations lead to questions

Research may help

A hypothesis is a tentative answer

Experiments test hypotheses

Experimental components

• Variable – something that changes in a controlled experiment

• Independent variable – controlled by you• Dependent variable – change as a result• Control – standard for comparison with no

variables• Experiment – control plus a variable• Data/observations – information or results

collected from experimentation

Draw a conclusion based upon your results

If successful, results should be repeatable.

If not successful, a new hypothesis may be necessary, with testing and conclusion to

follow

<Ask a question?

Go together<

Go together<

Whether conclusion is right or wrong

Metrics – How the world measures

• Except U.S. and Burkina-Faso

• Current form is the S.I. (Systeme Internationale

• Easier than Imperial or English

• Based on units of 10

Measurement Vocabulary

• Accuracy – how close measurement is to true value

• Precision – exactness of value• Error – amount of imprecision or variation• % Error – (accepted value minus

experimental value divided by accepted value) multiplied by 100

• Confidence interval – range of values for a set % of measurements

Models• To simulate conditions in the natural world

• A description, representation, or imitation of an object, system, process, or concept

• Give an example of a– Physical model– Graphical model– Conceptual model– Mathematical model– Computer model

Scientific Conclusions

• Published or presented

• Peer review

• Development of theory (a consistent explanation that is repeatable)

• Support from other disciplines?