Introduction to Earth Science

• Observation: Occurs through the interaction of one or more senses with part of the environment. Observations are limited to the range and precision of our senses.

• What are our senses?

• Instruments are devices that extend our senses and increase our range and precision.

• What are instruments?

• Measurement: a means of expressing an observation using greater precision.

• How do you increase precision?

• Inference: is an interpretation of observations. It is a mental process that proposes causes or explanations for what has been observed.

• Classification: is the grouping of objects or events together by their observed properties such as size, weight(mass) or color.

Which Statement is an Inference?

• The bird is white.• The bird is covered

with feathers• The bird eats with its

beak.• The bird grasps prey

with its claws

Which Statement is an Inference?

• The bird eats with its beak.

• The bird grasps prey with its claws

WHY?

• Because you don’t know that this type bird uses its beak to catch prey. Unless you observed the bird catch prey it is an inference.

• Same answer for its claws.