What is Science?What is Science?What is Physical What is Physical

Geography?Geography?

What is Science?What is Science?What is Physical What is Physical

Geography?Geography?

GPH 111GPH 111

Game Plan:Game Plan:Game Plan:Game Plan: What is science? How does science operate? What is induction and deduction? What is physical geography What are three main sub-disciplines What is energy and how does it

relate to physical geography? What is a system and how does it

relate to physical geography?

What is science? How does science operate? What is induction and deduction? What is physical geography What are three main sub-disciplines What is energy and how does it

relate to physical geography? What is a system and how does it

relate to physical geography?

The observation, The observation, identification, description, identification, description,

experimental investigation, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation and theoretical explanation

of phenomena. of phenomena.

The observation, The observation, identification, description, identification, description,

experimental investigation, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation and theoretical explanation

of phenomena. of phenomena.

Working with other people to Working with other people to try and figure something out.try and figure something out.

How does science work?How does science work?1. Observe or Collect Data2. Ask a question3. Hypothesize4. Test Hypothesis through carefully

designed Methodology5. Explain Results – Falsify or Fail to

Falsify6. Recommend future work

1. Observe or Collect Data2. Ask a question3. Hypothesize4. Test Hypothesis through carefully

designed Methodology5. Explain Results – Falsify or Fail to

Falsify6. Recommend future work D

emonstrate!

Dem

onstrate!If a bunch of people start to

work together toward a problem, science kind of

looks like…

If a bunch of people start to work together toward a problem, science kind of

looks like…

Dem

onstrate!Induction:

Works from broad natural and experimental

observations, and builds toward a universal theory.

Induction:Works from broad natural

and experimental observations, and builds

toward a universal theory.Deduction:

Using a universal theory as a starting a point, and then

questions its validity at some smaller local setting.

Deduction:Using a universal theory as a

starting a point, and then questions its validity at some

smaller local setting.

The Science of Physical Geography:

The study of all the physical elements and processes that make up the environment: energy, air, water, weather,

climate, landforms, soils, animals, plants,

microorganisms, and Earth.

The Science of Physical Geography:

The study of all the physical elements and processes that make up the environment: energy, air, water, weather,

climate, landforms, soils, animals, plants,

microorganisms, and Earth.

Climatology Temperature, Pressure,

and Humidity

Climatology Temperature, Pressure,

and Humidity

GeomorphologyWeathering, Hillslope Processes, and Fluvial

Processes

GeomorphologyWeathering, Hillslope Processes, and Fluvial

Processes

BiogeographyAnimals, Plants, Microorganisms

BiogeographyAnimals, Plants, Microorganisms

Physical Geography from an Energy Perspective…Physical Geography from an Energy Perspective…

1 calorie = The energy required to increase 1 cubic centimeter of water 1° Celsius

Can you think of anything that Can you think of anything that uses energy?uses energy?

What is the ultimate source of that What is the ultimate source of that energy?energy?

Four Types of Energy:Four Types of Energy:1. Strong Nuclear Force – Fission and Fusion

2. Weak Nuclear Force – Radioactivity

3. Electromagnetism – Electricity and Magnetism

4. Gravity – Otherwise known as GRAVITY

1. Strong Nuclear Force – Fission and Fusion

2. Weak Nuclear Force – Radioactivity

3. Electromagnetism – Electricity and Magnetism

4. Gravity – Otherwise known as GRAVITY

The Sun

Isotopic Decay

Lightning and Earth’s Magnetic Field

And a Systems Perspective…

And a Systems Perspective…

Can you think of anything that operates as a system???

An example from Earth:An example from Earth:

The Earth from an Energy and Systems PerspectiveThe Earth from an Energy and Systems Perspective

What would it mean if earth was in equilibrium?Is Earth in an equilibrium?

Things to know…Things to know…Definition of Science (easy one)The scientific processInduction and DeductionWhat Climatologists studyWhat Geomorphologists studyWhat Biogeographers studyAn example of Energy Describe a system and provide an exampleWhat is equilibrium?

Help: Chapter EG