Term
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Definition
| *Process or method used in all areas of science |
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Term
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Definition
| *Hypothesis: a tentative or untested explanation of an observation(Must be falsifiable) *Theory: a hypothesis that has been tested in many ways, verified by several investigators, and has been accepted by the general scientific community (still falsifiable) |
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Term
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Definition
-A statement of observable fact
-States that under a certain set of conditions, a certain phenomena will occur
-Not an explanation (i.e. hypothesis or theory) |
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Term
| multiple working hypotheses |
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Definition
| A geologist usually develops several hypotheses to explain a geological phenomena. They then make the necessary observations and uses them to try and disprove all of the hypotheses Generally, only one hypotheses stands up to observation. Hypothesis is then modified to develop several more hypotheses that are studied. Eventually one hypothesis (or theory) is developed to explain the phenomena. |
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Term
| problems of using the scientific method in the geosciences |
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Definition
Cannot always be apply the scientific method in geology!
Several problems:
*Time: Geologic events occur over seconds to millions of years:
K/T Mass Extinction – less than a minute
Andes Mountains – form over last 60 million years
*Scale: Physical scales cannot be duplicated in a lab
An erupting volcano
The San Andreas Fault
Spring flooding of the Mississippi
*Complexity:Causes and effects cannot be separated easily
Cannot always identify the variables |
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Term
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Definition
*Open System
Can exchange matter and energy with its surroundings
*Closed System
Can exchange only energy with its surroundings
*Isolated System
Can exchange neither matter nor energy with its surroundings |
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Definition
The earth system can be subdivided into 4 spheres (or subsystems) *Geosphere *Hydrosphere *Atmosphere *Biosphere |
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Definition
“the solid earth”
-the rocky part of the earth, consisting of the crust, mantle and core
-outermost edge is further subdivided into the lithosphere and the asthenospshere |
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Term
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Definition
Liquid water on the surface or below ground
97.2 % - oceans
2.8 % - non-ocean
Glaciers 2.15 %
Groundwater – 0.62 %
Freshwater lakes – 0.009%
Saline lakes and inland seas– 0.008 %
Soil moisture – 0.005 %
Streams – 0.0001 %
Less than 1% is available as drinking water! |
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