ACING EAPS 100 WITH ESSENTIAL A+ QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Why (Geo-) Science
1. Excellent subject for learning fundamental
scientific principles
2. We interact with geoscience every day
3. Importance to future - Energy, climate,
environment natural hazards environment, natural hazards
4. Scientific literacy - increasingly technological
society
5. Increasing awareness and enjoyment of the
Earth
6. Science education (for teachers)
Science is:
1. Description, organization, search for order,
quantification of observations (data and
experimental results)
2. Analytical
3. Quantitative
4. Constantly changing and being refined
5. Conclusions based on observations
6. Rational
The Scientific Method (2 views)
1. Observation and Measurement
- Analysis
- Inference
- Conclusions
2. Hypothesis (prediction)
- Experiment (hypothesis testing) [Observation]
- Theory
- Law
, Science is NOT
- Constant
- Truth
- Based only on belief
- Magic tricks and "flashy" demos
Examples of pseudo-science
- Astrology
- Almost anything printed in "Enquirer,"
Why use metric?
1. The metric system is much easier. All metric units are related by
factors of 10.
2. Nearly the entire world (>95%), except the United States, now uses the metric
system.
3. Metric is used exclusively in science.
4. leads to fewer mistakes.
Some examples of Earth science and the
increasing need for informed, technical
consideration by ALL citizens:
1. Climate change ("global warming")
2. Human impact on the environment (population growth and increasing consumption)
3. Toxic waste isolation
4. Energy supply (fossil fuels, nuclear)
5. Other natural resources (water, soil, minerals, recreation)
6. Natural hazards - Earthquakes, volcanoes, floods,
storms, impacts, sea level rise, El Nino, etc. (How much
effort and money to spend on evaluation, prevention and mitigation?)
Importance of SCALE
Significance and understanding of large and small quantities in the geosciences:
Distance scales:
10-15 to 1025 meters
ANSWERS
Why (Geo-) Science
1. Excellent subject for learning fundamental
scientific principles
2. We interact with geoscience every day
3. Importance to future - Energy, climate,
environment natural hazards environment, natural hazards
4. Scientific literacy - increasingly technological
society
5. Increasing awareness and enjoyment of the
Earth
6. Science education (for teachers)
Science is:
1. Description, organization, search for order,
quantification of observations (data and
experimental results)
2. Analytical
3. Quantitative
4. Constantly changing and being refined
5. Conclusions based on observations
6. Rational
The Scientific Method (2 views)
1. Observation and Measurement
- Analysis
- Inference
- Conclusions
2. Hypothesis (prediction)
- Experiment (hypothesis testing) [Observation]
- Theory
- Law
, Science is NOT
- Constant
- Truth
- Based only on belief
- Magic tricks and "flashy" demos
Examples of pseudo-science
- Astrology
- Almost anything printed in "Enquirer,"
Why use metric?
1. The metric system is much easier. All metric units are related by
factors of 10.
2. Nearly the entire world (>95%), except the United States, now uses the metric
system.
3. Metric is used exclusively in science.
4. leads to fewer mistakes.
Some examples of Earth science and the
increasing need for informed, technical
consideration by ALL citizens:
1. Climate change ("global warming")
2. Human impact on the environment (population growth and increasing consumption)
3. Toxic waste isolation
4. Energy supply (fossil fuels, nuclear)
5. Other natural resources (water, soil, minerals, recreation)
6. Natural hazards - Earthquakes, volcanoes, floods,
storms, impacts, sea level rise, El Nino, etc. (How much
effort and money to spend on evaluation, prevention and mitigation?)
Importance of SCALE
Significance and understanding of large and small quantities in the geosciences:
Distance scales:
10-15 to 1025 meters
