Earth Science

Unit I

“Safety, Metric Measurements and Scientific Inquiry

Unit 1 Class notes . . . . .

“Safety Symbols”

SAFETY SYMBOLS used in a laboratory setting have a specific meaning and purpose.

THE SCIENCE LABORATORY can be an exciting place to work, but it can also be a dangerous one. Make sure you follow these rules when working in the science laboratory:

1. Carefully read ALL directions before starting

an activity. Be careful when you see the word

CAUTION.

2. Locate the safety equipment in your lab, such as:

fire blanket

fire extinguisher

eye wash . . .and first-aid kit.

emergency shower

3. Never eat or drink in the laboratory.

4. Never engage in any horseplay such as running, shoving, or

joking. This can be very dangerous!

5. Report all spills, accidents, or injuries to your teacher immediately.

6. Dispose of used materials according to your

teacher’s instructions.

7. Always dress properly when

working in the lab.

a. Wear safety goggles and a lab apron when working with chemicals or burners.

b. Tie long hair back.

c. Roll up long sleeves.

d. Don’t wear bulky or flowing clothes.

8. When working with fire:

a. Never reach over the flame.

b. Use a pot holder or tongs to handle the hot equipment.

c. Be careful of flammable material near the flame.

9. When working with chemicals:

a. never touch, smell, or taste substances in the lab without specific instructions.

b. Notify teacher of spills.

c. Read label and instructions carefully.

d. Wash your hands carefully after using chemicals.

10. When working with equipment:

a. Check for cracked or chipped glassware. Report this to your teacher immediately.

b. Do not force equipment in any way.

c. Return all equipment to its proper place.

d. Never pick up broken glass with your bare hands.

“Scientific Measurement”Scientists use the International System of Measurement (SI)

or metric system to measure the properties of matter.

SI (metric system) is based on the number 10 and multiples of 10; much like the monetary system here in the U.S..

Scientists use the metric system (SI) to measure:

length volume mass

density temperature

Laboratory measurement tools which you will become familiar with include:

meter stick

Celsius thermometer

triple-beam balance

beaker/graduated cylinder

METER STICK:

Used to measure length (the distance from one point to another).

Length – standard measurement in the metric system is the Meter (m).

1 m (meter) = 100 cm (centimeters) = 1000 mm (millimeters);

1 km (kilometers) = 1000 m (meters).

CELSIUS THERMOMETER:

Used to measure temperature.

Temperature – standard measurement in the metric system is the Celsius scale.

Pure water freezes at 0oC and boils at 100oC.What is the freezing/boiling point of water on the Fahrenheit scale?

(freezing . . . . . . . 32oF; boiling . . . . . . 212oF).

TRIPLE BEAM BALANCE:

Used to measure mass.

Mass – a measure of the amount of matter in an object.

Metric unit of measurement is the gram (g) or kilogram (kg).

BEAKER/GRADUATED CYLINDER:

Used in measuring volume.

Volume is the amount of space an object takes up.

When determining the volume of a liquid or irregular shaped object use a graduated cylinder/beaker

You read the milliliter marking at the bottom of the curve . . . called the meniscus.

What would be the measurement of thisliquid?

You are correct!!! 35 mL

mL

mL

Metric unit for measuring volume is mL.

“Scientific Inquiry/Scientific Method”

Scientific Inquiry – A Scientific Method of Problem Solving.

Scientific Inquiry: purpose is to utilize a systematic (organized) approach to problem solving.

The basic steps in the scientific method are:

Stating the problem

Gathering information on the problem

Forming a hypothesis

Performing experiments to test the hypothesis

Recording and analyzing data

Stating a conclusion and Repeating the work

Stating the problem:

- or posing a question.

What questions are you trying to answer?

What problems are you trying to solve?

Gathering information on the problem:

- or observing.

- Using all five senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell and taste) to gather information.

Forming a hypothesis:

- based on the information gathered on the problem.

- you are prepared to suggest a possible solution to the problem. This is called a hypothesis. A hypothesis must be testable by observation or experiment.

Performing experiments to test the hypothesis:

- the hypothesis must be tested to prove whether it is correct or incorrect.

- performing experiments does this. It is important that the experiment be repeated over and over again to insure accuracy.

Recording and analyzing data:

- Data is recorded observations and measurements resulting from the experiment.

- Data tables are simple organized ways of recording information and graphing is a useful means of comparing the data.

Stating a conclusion ands repeating the work:

- based on the results of repeated experimentation and consistent results as well as interpreting the data, you can now state a conclusion, a solution to your problem, or an answer to you question.

End of Class notes for Unit I