


In the past, early humans believed in
mythology to try to explain what they
observed.
What is mythology?
What were some occurrences people may
have been afraid?


Ancient civilizations believed their gods controlled
the weather.
Early civilizations recorded what they observed:
◦ Recorded calendars which described natural reoccurring
phenomena.

Egyptians
◦ Nile river flooded crops every year
◦ Shorty before the flood, the brightest star Sirius
appeared at dawn in the east.
◦ The Egyptian calendar was created.

Instruments were created to help aid in answers.


Meteorology – The study of weather.
The history of meteorology illustrates how
the understanding of weather has developed
over time.



Rain gauge – probably first weather
instrument used to measure the
amount of rainfall. (321 B.C. – 296
B.C.)
Barometer – used to measure air
pressure.
Thermometer – used to measure
temperature.


Hygrometer – used to measure water vapor in
the air.
Anemometer – used to measure wind speed.


Benjamin Franklin was the first American to
suggest that weather could be predicted
through observation.
Joseph Henry was able to draw maps which
included weather data.

National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA)
◦ The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) is a federal agency focused
on the condition of the oceans and the atmosphere.



Orbiting satellites
Weather balloons
Radio, television, media

Technology is continuously being enhanced
everyday.

A scientific theory is an explanation or model
backed up by results obtained from many tests
or experiments.

Many scientist work together to develop a theory.

Most logical explanation of why things work.

A theory can be revised with new information.
◦ Example: Comets – Dr. Fred L. Whipple hypothesized
that a comet was similar to a dirty snowball. The n
nucleus of the comet contains most of its mass.

A scientific law is a statement about what usually
happens in nature and that seems to be true all of
the time.
◦ Ex. Newton’s first law of motion
 An object in motion will stay in motion unless an unbalanced
force acts on it. An object at rest will stay at rest unless an
unbalanced force acts on it.


Laws can be used to predict what will happen in a
given situation, however they don’t explain why.
Laws may also be revi.sed if new observations show
them to be incorrect



Science does not always provide an answer to
your question.
In science you need variables which need to
be observed, measured and tested.
Problems with belief systems and ethics
cannot be answered using these methods.
◦ Ethics deals with the moral values about what is
good and what is bad.

How can we be ethical in science?



When performing an experiment it is
important never to be bias.
Bias is a personal opinion which can effect
your observations and outcome.
Turn to page 21 in your textbook.


It is important to keep detailed records of
your experiment.
Your conclusion should be based on precise
measurements and test.