Introduction to Earth Science Observation: Occurs through the interaction of one or more senses with...
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Transcript of Introduction to Earth Science Observation: Occurs through the interaction of one or more senses with...
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.