1.1 What is Science?

What should you be able to do by the end of the chapter?
By the end of the chapter, you should be able to:

  • Contrast objective vs. subjective observations, and quantitative vs. qualitative observations.
  • Identify a pseudoscience based on its lack of falsifiability.
  • Contrast the methods used by Aristotle and Galileo to describe the natural environment.
  • Explain the scientific method and apply it to a problem or question.
  • Describe the foundations of modern geology, such as the principle of uniformitarianism.
  • Contrast uniformitarianism and catastrophism.
  • Explain why studying geology is important.
  • Identify how Earth materials are transformed by rock cycle processes.
  • Describe the steps involved in a reputable scientific study.
  • Explain rhetorical arguments used by science deniers.

What do scientists seek to understand?
Scientists seek to understand the fundamental principles that explain natural patterns and processes.

What does science provide other than a body of knowledge?
Other than a body of knowledge, science provides a means to evaluate and create new knowledge without bias.

Scientists use ... ... over ... ... to reach sound and logical conclusions.
Scientists use objective evidence over subjective evidence to reach sound and logical conclusions.

What is an observation?
An observation is the act of gathering new information from the senses or a scientific instrument.

What are two characteristics of an objective observation?
Two characteristics of an objective observation are that:

  1. It doesn't have any personal bias.
  2. It can be made by everyone.

What are two characteristics of a subjective observation?
The two characteristics of a subjective observation are that:

  1. They're based on a person's feelings and beliefs.
  2. They're unique to an individual.

What type of measurements are used to avoid bias?
The type of measurements that are used to avoid bias are quantitative measurements.

What is a quantitative measurement?
A quantitative measurement is a measurement expressed with a numerical value.

Example of quantitative measurements

"This rock weights 40 kg and gives off light with a wavelength around 550 nm."

What is a qualitative observation?
A qualitative observation is a general or relative description about some aspect of something.

Example of qualitative measurements

"This rock is red and heavy."

What are all scientific claims?
All scientific claims are falsifiable.

What does it mean for a scientific claim to be falsifiable?
A scientific claim is falsifiable when an initial hypothesis can be tested and proven false.

When does a hypothesis become regarded as a reliable scientific theory?
A hypothesis becomes regarded as a reliable scientific theory when false results, competing ideas, and possible variations are proven false.

What has been the driving foce behind many scientific careers?
The driving force behind many scientific careers has been proving current ideas wrong.

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