Prologue np1 2012

Unit 1: Prologue
The Nature of Science
When it comes to looking
at life, I always tend to
round up, but in Science I
know to simply flow
directions and the rounding
procedure! P.S. My name is
Elle

Regents Earth Science
Ms. Gill
Note Packet #1

Name:_______________________ Per:____ Date: ________

Unit 1: Prologue The Nature of Science Note Packet #1

Vocabulary:
Area
Bar Graph
Change
Cyclic Change
Classification
Constant Variable
Convection Current
Density
Direct Relationship
Dynamic Equilibrium
Fluid Displacement
Inertia
Inference
Interfaces
Inverse Relationship
Length
Mass
Matter
Measurement
Meniscus
Metric System
Non-cyclic Change
Observation
Parabola
Phases of Matter
Percent Deviation
Pie Graph
Prediction
Pressure
Rate of Change
Rounding
Temperature
Volume

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1. An observation is:
__________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

When you observe, you use your ____________ to take in everything that is happening
around you, paying close attention to detail.

Examples:
i. The rock is smooth and round.
ii. Our Classroom has only one blackboard.
iii. Make an observation: ____________________________________________

2. An inference is
__________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

In other words, when you infer, you form a conclusion based on something you
____________________.

Examples:
i. The round and smooth rocks must have been carried here by running water.
ii. Since the dog is wagging his tail, he must be happy.
iii. Make an inference: ______________________________________________

3. A prediction is:
__________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Examples:
i. An angular rock will eventually become rounded if it stays in the stream.
ii. Ms. Gill will wear something stylish tomorrow.

4. Classification: _________________________________________________
We can organize or classify objects according to some pattern or trend or common
characteristics.

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5. Measurements: The purpose of this guide is to guide you through converting units
in the metric system!

a. What are some measurable properties?
__________________ __________________ __________________
__________________ __________________ __________________

b. How do we make measurements?
•Our senses are limited by how sensitive or by how accurate they are. To get more
detailed information, we use instruments, such as rulers, thermometers, x-rays and
telescopes

c. The Metric System & Unit Conversion:
The fundamental units of the metric system are:
For Mass ______________________
For Length ______________________
For Liquid Volume __________________

By changing the prefix used with each unit you can change the size of the unit. We will
use the following prefixes. (There are others for both larger and smaller units.)

_________ _________ _________ basic unit ________ ________ _________

You can remember this by the following sentence.

__________ ________ _________ _______ ________ ________ _________

To convert from any unit to any other unit count how many spaces are between
them and move the decimal point that far in the same direction.

Let’s look at the meter stick! How many meters (m) are in a meter (m) stick?___

How many centimeters (cm) are in a meter (m)? ___________

How many millimeters (mm) are in a centimeter (cm) ?__________ Now if there are
100 cm in a meter and 10 mm in a cm how many mm are in a m? __________

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Decimals are used because they are easier to convert than fractions! In the metric
system we use abbreviations! Let’s fill them in below!

Length Mass Liquid Volume
meter__________ gram__________ liter__________
millimeter_______ milligram______ milliliter______
centimeter______ --------------
-------------kilometer_______ kilogram_______
kiloliter________

Let’s practice some unit conversions now! Convert the following!

1. 10 mm= ________________ cm 2. 1 km = ________________ m
3. 1000 ml = ________________ L 4. 12 g = ________________ kg

6. Rounding: The first step in rounding is figuring out what place to round to and where
that place is located. You must remember these place values:

2 , 6 4 3 , 9 7 5 , 8 6 4 . 9 3 1

Rounding Procedure:
Step 1: Find the location of place that you are asked to round to. Lets call it: Sparky.
Step 2: Look at the number to the right of this place lets call it the Boss.
Step 3: If the boss is a 4 or lower, leave Sparky alone. If the Boss is 5 or higher, round
the Sparky up one value.
Here is a rhyme to help you remember:
“Four and below, let it go. Five and above give it a shove”
For Example: Round 7.289 to the nearest tenth: Answer: 7.3

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Practice: Round to the nearest Round to the nearest
Round to the nearest tenth: hundredth: ones:
1) 29.45: _______ 4) 0.745: ________ 7) 30.19: __________
2) 711.319: ________ 5) 1.67234: _______ 8) 8,799.99: ________
3) 9.999: _________ 6) 10.4637: _______ 9) 2.94: __________

7. Scientific Notation
Scientific notation is simply a method for expressing, and working with, very large or
very small numbers. It is a short hand method for writing numbers, and an easy method
for calculations.

Numbers in scientific notation are made up of three parts: the coefficient, the base and
the exponent. Observe the example below:

5
5.67 x 10
This is the scientific notation for the standard number: 567,000

In order for a number to be in correct scientific notation, the following conditions must
be true:
1. The coefficient must be greater than or equal to 1 and less than 10.
2. The base must be 10.
3. The exponent must show the number of decimal places that the decimal needs to be
moved to change the number to standard notation. A negative exponent means that the
decimal is moved to the left when changing to standard notation

Practice:

Convert into Scientific Notation Convert out of Scientific Notation
4,600,000,000.0: _______________ 3.01 x 107: _______________
5,700: ________________ 23.782 x 104: ________________
678,900,000: __________________ 1.0x 1015: __________________

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8. Mass :
__________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

•It is how much “stuff” the object is made of, the number of atoms in it.

a. How do we measure mass? Can we count the atoms one by one?
Nope!!! Instead we use a triple beam balance that gives us a value usually in grams.

b. Is Weight the same as Mass?

Weight is NOT the same as mass, but weight is used to measure the mass of an
object on the Earth. Think about what would happen if you weighed your self on the
moon. You would weight less because there is less gravity pulling you down onto the
scale, even though your mass did not change.

To play with an interactive virtual triple beam balance like we did in class go to:
http://www.touchspin.com/chem/DisplayTBB.html

To find out your weight on other planets and moons visit this site:
http://www.exploratorium.edu/ronh/weight/

9. Temperature:
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__________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

Typically the faster the molecules vibrate with in a sample of
matter the hotter it is. Let’s model this with our hands!

There are 3 different systems to measure temperature:
1) English Units: Fahrenheit Degrees (F°)
2) Metric Units: Celsius Degrees (°C)
3) Kelvin Units (K)

Fahrenheit Celsius Kelvin
Water Freezes
Water Boils
Absolute zero

10. States of matter

What variable determines the 3 states of
Matter? ________________________

The three phases of Matter are:

___________________
___________________
___________________

See page 13 in your ESRT!!!

11. Area:

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__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

Formula for Area= L x W
L: Length, the longer dimension of an 2 D object usually measured in meters,
centimeters or millimeters.

W: Width, the shorter dimension of a 2D object.

Note that the units will always end up squared! Example: 4mm x 2mm = 8mm2

Lets practice finding the area! Always follow these Steps:

Step 3: Plug inStepnumbers, the formula
the 1: Write
WITH UNITS.Example: Area = L x W
Example: A=4mm x 2mm
Step 2: List all the variables
Step 4: Calculate WITHthe unknown, WITH UNITS.
including
UNITS. Example:Example: 2 = 4mm W= 2mm A= ?
A= 8mmL

7 cm 4m

9m
Step 1:__________________ Step cm
7 1:__________________

Step 2: _________________ Step 2: _________________

Step 3: _________________ Step 3: _________________

Step 4:__________________ Step 4:__________________
12.

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Volume:

-The amount of _______ an object takes up!
Meniscus: 73
mL
-For solid cubes and boxes Volume is equal to: ____________. Depending on the size
of the object the units may be either cm3 or m3.
-But for liquids, volume is measured in _________ using a beaker or graduated cylinder.

1. Read it at eye level 2. Fluid Displacement
Factors that affect Volume: You must read the meniscus to obtain an accurate
1) Temperature result. Due to cohesionis easier to measure of fluids, the
•It (sticky) properties irregular
Heating a material will cause it to expand of the fluid touching the glass willfluid
edges and shaped objects using slightly rise.
take up more space because the molecules need displacement.
more room to move around. Therefore
increasing temperature will increase volume.
_________________  In order to measure
Cooling a material will result in the opposite. this irregularly shaped rock you
So decreasing temperature will decrease would drop it in a beaker filled
volume. ____________________ with water and measure the
Think about how your rings fit in the winter… change in volume.
they seem to be bigger!
2) Pressure:
Increasing pressure will force molecules closer
together there by decreasing volume.
______________________
Decreasing pressure will allow molecules to
spread out and take up more space thereby
increasing volume. _________________
Let’s model this with a sponge. There are rules to reading beaker or
graduated cylinder:

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13. Density:
__________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

• It tells us how tightly packed the molecules are, or how close to each other they are.
If they are packed tightly, the density is high.

•The unit for measuring density is
grams per cubic centimeter, or g/cm³

•Density = Mass
Volume

So how do you solve a math problem in science class using a formula?

Step 1: Write the formula
Example: Density = Mass/Volume or D=M/V

Step 2: List all the variables including the unknown, WITH UNITS.
Example: D=?
M = 38.0g
V = 12.0cm3
Step 3: Plug in the numbers, WITH UNITS.
Example: D=38.0g/12.0cm3

Step 4: Calculate WITH UNITS.

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Example: D=3.2g/cm3

Example: If an object has a mass of 13.4 grams and a volume 5.7 cm3 what is the
density? Write out each step next to the corresponding number
1. 3.

2. 4.

14. More on Density:

•Each pure substance has its own particular density and it can be used to help identify
that material at room temperature.
•For example, liquid water has a density of 1g/cm³ because 1cm³ of water weighs 1
gram. One cm³ of water also occupies 1ml.
•Solid quartz has a density of 2.7 g/cm³ Mixtures do not have a precise density.
-Fluids tend to layer based on their density,
Factors that affect Density with less dense fluid on top of more dense
A. Temperature: fluid. Can you think of any examples?
•Cooling a material causes its ____________________________
molecules to move closer together,
making its volume decrease and Let’s check out this video:
causing its density to increase. •http://www.eram.k12.ny.us/education/compo
___________________ nents/docmgr/default.php?
•Heating a material causes its
molecules to move apart making its
volume increase and causing the
density to decrease.
___________________
•Note that Mass is staying the same!!!

B. Pressure:
•Increasing the pressure (squeeze) on
a material causes its molecules to get
pushed closer together, decreasing
the volume, making the density
increase. __________________
•Decreasing the pressure causes the
opposite effect, since molecules move
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further apart, it becomes less dense.
•Again, note mass remains the same!
______________________________________________


sectiondetailid=17500&fileitem=4738&catfilter=445

15. Density at Different Phases
Why does density matter?
If a warm gust of wind meets cold air, •As a material is heated, it changes from
will the warm air go above or below the solid to liquid.
cold air?
•Since hot air is less dense it will rise! • More heat changes the liquid to gas.
•And Cold air sinks because it is denser The molecules move farther apart, so
than warm air the volume increases, causing the
•A similar process happens when density to decrease.
you boil water 
General Rule of Thumb: Solids are
most dense, gases are least dense

The ONLY exception to this rule is water!!!
•As water cools, its volume decreases until it
reaches 4° C.

This rising and sinking of fluids due to • As it cools from 4° C to 0° C, its volume actually
density and temperature differences is increases, so it becomes less dense again.
called _________________________.
We will touch upon this concept many •Water is most dense at 4°C, but is still a liquid.
times through out the year.
•This is due to my buddy Mr. Hydrogen Bond, you
will meet him in Chemistry

•Water at 0°C is solid ice, but is less dense than
water, so ice floats!!

•Water is the only material whose solid form will
float in its liquid form.

•This is why the top of a puddle, or a lake freezes
first.

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16. Does size affect density of an object?
•You can NEVER change the density of a material by cutting it into pieces.
•Since change both volume and mass, the ratio will remain the same, therefore
each small piece will have the same density as the original large one.

17. Let review some crucial relationships!!!

•Temp. Volume Density
•Temp. Volume Density
•Pressure Volume Density
•Pressure Volume Density

You must understand and know these by heart!!!

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18. Graphing:

•Direct Relationship: •Inverse Relationship: Variables
both variables “move in the same “move in opposite directions”. One
direction” They both increase or both variable goes up and the other goes
decrease. down.

•Constant Variable: •Parabola:
One variable changes, but the other remains As one variable increases, the
the same. other increases and then
decreases.

19. More on charts and Graphs:

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20. Change:

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•When something observed is different from when it was last observed

Frames of reference to study change: Rate of Change:

•What has caused the change? •How fast did the change happen?
•Time and Space.
•An example is: The Earth’s moon How much a measurable aspect of the
changes because we observe it in environment, called a field, is altered
different locations in the sky and in over a given amount of time – years,
different phases at different times hours, or seconds.
during a month.
Formula:
Rate of = ________________
Change

•Formula is on p. 1 in ESRT
“Change in Field Value” is the difference
in what you are measuring.

Cyclic Change Non-cyclic Changes:

•Changes that repeat over and over in a •Changes that do not repeat at all or do
known period of time. not repeat in a known period of time.
•Examples are: seasons, sun motions,
moon and tides •Some examples are: Earthquakes and
•Most changes are cyclic and they are Hurricanes.
very good to use when we are trying to
make predictions
Cyclic: repeats at known intervals

21. Interfaces:

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•Changes cannot take place unless there is a flow of energy from one location, which
loses its energy, to another location, which gains the energy.
•The energy flows across a boundary where the two materials or systems meet.
•This boundary is known as the INTERFACE

Sharp Interface: Diffuse Interface:
•These interfaces are very easy to •Some interfaces are not easy to see.
locate.
•An example of an sharp interface •An example is the boundary between
is the line where a wall meets the the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific
floor. Ocean.

22. Dynamic Equilibrium:
•Sometimes many changes take place, but often they “even” out. It is like your science
test grades: some high, some low, but they even out.

•This is called DYNAMIC EQUILIBRIUM
Pollution:
•When the amount of ANY substance,
•Our natural environment is normally in a
found ANYWHERE, becomes high
state of dynamic equilibrium, but this
enough to affect people, their
balance can be upset. It is easy to
properties, or plant or animal life.
temporarily upset this balance, especially
on a small, local scale as can happen just in
the town of Long Beach.

Unfortunately, human activities tend to
cause permanent disruptions, especially
when we pollute …

23. How to make a graph

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It's probably better to do a graph in pencil first, then in pen.

1. 1. Collect your data. After you have it all in one place, you should have one
independent variable (like time) and one dependent variable (like something you measure
as a function of time). Here are some points we will use as an example; we've measured
position of a ball as a function of time:
2. time (s) position (cm)
3. 1 3.0
4. 2 3.4
5. 3 4.8
6. 4 5.0
7. 5 5.3
8.
9. 2. Determine the range of your data. In order to determine how big a graph to
make, we need to determine how much the numbers vary. In this case, time varies from 1
to 5 seconds, and position varies from 3.0 to 5.3 cm. We have to make sure that there is
enough space on the graph to fit all the data.
10. 3.The independent variable (time, in this case) will go on the x-axis (the one
parallel to the bottom of the page), and the dependent variable (position, in this case)
will go on the y-axis (parallel to the left hand side of the page). So, draw axes that are
big enough for all the data.
11. 4. Give your graph a Title. Titles of graphs are usually "Y versus X"; so in this
case, our title is "Position versus Time." (NOT position divided by time, or position minus
time.)
12. 5. Label your graph and your axes. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT! When
presented with your graph, other people should be able to figure out what is plotted
without asking you.
13. 6. Labels on the axes must have units! So, in this case, the label on the x axis
(the one on the bottom) should be "Time (seconds)" and the label on the y axis (the one
on the left) should be "Position (centimeters)."
14. 7.Remember to write the numbers on the graph, too. The numbers should be
evenly and logically spaced - what I mean by this is the following: for our position data
here, the y-axis should be marked off in increments like (1,2,3,4,5,6) or (2,4,6,8), NOT
(1.3, 2.6, 4.8,...) or anything else weird.
8. Plot your data. Now, go ahead and place your data points on the graph. Make
them big enough to be seen, but not big enough to look like you were eating pizza while
making your graph.
9. Draw a "line of best fit." THIS DOES NOT MEAN CONNECT THE DOTS!

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Only rarely will a graph need to have the data points connected by a jagged line. Usually,
it is best to guess at a (straight) line that goes as near as possible to as many points as
possible. (See example.) THE ORIGIN IS NOT ALWAYS INCLUDED AS A POINT! And,
sometimes there will be a LOT of scatter and it might not be clear where a line should
go. Now you're done with your graph, but you're not finished yet.
10. Think about what your graph means. What type of relationship do the
variables have?

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Prologue np1 2012

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