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Ecology Unit 1

Ecology Unit 1. What is Science?. Ecology Unit 1 Vocabulary (vocab section of notebook). Scientific Method Control Variable Independent Variable Dependent Variable Evidence. Science is the process of asking questions and seeking their answers to better understand the natural world.

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Ecology Unit 1

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  1. Ecology Unit 1 What is Science?

  2. Ecology Unit 1 Vocabulary (vocab section of notebook) • Scientific Method • Control • Variable • Independent Variable • Dependent Variable • Evidence

  3. Science is the process of asking questions and seeking their answers to better understand the natural world. • Science can be separated into 3 major fields…

  4. Life Science • Biology (life) • Zoology (animals) • Botany (plants) • Ecology (ecosystems/environment)

  5. Earth Science • Geology (earth) • Meteorology (atmosphere) • Astronomy (space)

  6. Physical Science • Chemistry (matter) • Physics (forces and energy)

  7. Important Science Skills • Two of the most important procedures/skills in all branches of science are OBSERVATION and INFERENCE.

  8. Observation • Something we can sense (touch, see, taste, smell, hear) Mr. Mount looks nice today.

  9. Inference • A conclusion or prediction we make based on an observation(s). He must have a hot date tonight.

  10. What are some observations you can make about this room? Mr. Brownrigg? Mr. Mount? • What are some inferences you can make about them?

  11. The Scientific Method • The scientific method is an organized, step-by-step approach to problem solving in science • There are 5 steps when you break it down to its simplest form.

  12. Step 1: Question ? • The 1st step is to formulate a question based on observations. • Figure out what it is you want to know. • Research to find out if other studies have been done on your question. • Many research tools are available (scientific journals, books, periodicals, news media, and the internet)

  13. Step 2: Hypothesis • After observing and researching your question you need to form a hypothesis. • Best guess/explanation as to the reasons for your observations.

  14. Step 3: Experiment • Design an experiment to test your hypothesis. • Experiments must be “fair” (control, independent variable, dependent variable) • Experiments must also be repeatable.

  15. Step 4: Collect Data • Data is information. • Record observations during your experiment. • When you record this information it makes it easier to stay organized and also to repeat your experiment later.

  16. Step 5: Conclusion • When all of your data is collected you need to come up with a conclusion. • A conclusion is where you decide if your hypothesis was correct (supported) or not. • If it was not supported then you can test it again, or form a new one and design a new experiment. • Sometimes new questions come up during an experiment that can lead to the whole process starting again.

  17. Theory • A scientific theory is a detailed explanation of a question that has withstood repeated testing. • Scientist use theories to provide a general explanation to similar questions. • Theories are often revised as technology improves and new observations are made.

  18. Using Graphs • Graphs are used to help us organize and illustrate data collected during an experiment. • There are 3 main kinds of graphs: • Line graphs • Bar graphs • Pie/circle graphs

  19. Line Graphs • Line graphs are used to show the relationship between two variables (independent and dependent). • Many times line graphs show change over time.

  20. Bar Graphs • Bar graphs are best used to show comparisons. • In a bar graph only the y-axis (vertical) is quantitative (has numbers).

  21. Pie Graphs • Pie/circle graphs are best used to show percentages.

  22. Being a Skeptic • In science it is important for conclusions to be valid (trustworthy). • Example: 4 out of 5 dentists recommend sugarless gum. • Do we actually know how many dentists were asked? Was it 5 or 5000? • Which would be more valid?

  23. Scientific Measurements • Many tools are used to make measurements in science. • What are some examples?

  24. Making Precise Measurements • Measurements in science need to be precise (as correct as possible). • Which measurement is more precise? 2 cm, 3.4 kg, or 5.23 ml • 5.23 ml is more precise because it shows measurement to the nearest .01, whereas the others only show to the nearest .1 and 1.

  25. Significant Figures • All of the measured places and one estimated place are considered significant figures. • What is the difference between measurements of 186 grams and 186.0 grams? • 186.0 grams is more precise because it has more significant figures.

  26. Rules for Sig Figs • 1. All nonzero digits are significant. • 2. Any zero located between nonzero digits is significant. • 3. Leading zeros: Zeros to the left of all nonzero digits, are never significant. • 4. Trailing zeros: Zeros to the right of all nonzero digits, are significant, if and only if a decimal point appears anywhere in the number.

  27. Calculating using Sig Figs • When making calculations answers must be rounded off to the number of significant figures found in the “least precise measurement.” • Example: To find the volume of a box that is 12.82 cm long, 2.13 cm wide, and 1.86 cm high. • 12.82 X 2.13 X 1.86 = 50.790276 • Answer must be rounded to 3 sig figs…so 50.8 cm3

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