Earth Science Skills Lab
Purpose:
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To explain the grid system used for locating places and features on Earth by
accurately locating a place or a feature.
To explain the relationship between longitude and solar time by calculating solar
time using longitudinal information.
To review the metric system by using different materials to determine mass,
length, volume, specific gravity, density.
To review scientific inquiry by designing a scientific experiment using a skill
reviewed/learned in this lab.
Materials: metric ruler
Balance
calculator
protractor
Globe/Atlas water
materials for measurement
graduated cylinder
Procedures:
1. Collect measurements for your height, the length of your shoe, volume of a paper
cup, weight of a rock, paper clip, nickel. Make sure to use proper units of
measurement. For your height, measure to the nearest hundredth of a meter; For
your shoe, measure to the nearest millimeter; For the paper cup, measure to the
nearest milliliter.
2. Make a data table to show your data collected from procedure 1. You should
have at least 2 columns (object, measurement) and 7 rows.
3. Using a ruler and protractor, draw a line between point A and point B on figure 1.
Draw another line from point B to point C. Use a protractor to determine the
angle between <ABC. Draw a line between point B and point D. Determine the
angle between <ABD.
4. Find the density of the rock from procedure 1. Fill a graduated cylinder with water
and record the water level. Drop the rock and record the water level after the rock
as been added to the cylinder. Subtract the end measure from the beginning
measurement. This is the volume of rock.
5. Using information provided, complete the rest of the lab.
Analysis Questions:
1. What is the <ABC from procedure 3? ___________ <ABD? ____________
2. What is the latitude for each point seen on the diagram below. You may need to
draw additional parallels of latitude. The first point has been done for you.
Point A: 30oN
Point B: ______
Point E: _____ Point F:______
Point C:_____
Point D:______
3. What is the name of 66o30’00” N latitude? ___________________________
What is the name of 23o30’00” N latitude? ___________________________
What is the name of 23o30’00” S latitude? ___________________________
What is the name of 66o30’00” W latitude? ___________________________
4. What is the longitude for each point see on the diagram below. You may need to
draw additional meridians of longitude. The first point has been done for you.
Point A: 30oE
Point E: _______
Point B: _________ Point C:_______
Point F: _________
Point D:_________
5. Identify the location (latitude and longitude) of the following points using the
diagram below. The first one has been done for you.
A: _______________________
C:_______________________
E:_______________________
G:_______________________
I:________________________
B: ______________________
D:______________________
F:______________________
H:______________________
J:______________________
6. Convert the following:
a. 2.05 meters= ________________ cm
b. 9.81 liters= ________________deciliters
c. 4214.6 centimeters=___________m
d. 321.50 grams=_____________kilograms
e. 8oF= ________oC
f. 0oC=_____________oF
g. 212oF= _____________K
7. If the thermometer reads 28oC, will you need a winter coat?________________________
If your body temperature reads 10oC, do you have a fever?________________________
If the room temperature is 37oC, are you shivering or perspiring?____________________
8. What is the density of the rock from procedure 4? ___________________ specific
gravity?_______________
Summary: Summaries the skills you learned, reinforced, reviewed during this lab. Design your
experiment using a skill from this lab. Make sure to use the scientific inquiry method.
Earth Science Skills Lab: Additional Information
Latitudes/Longitudes
Latitude (aka parallels) is the distance north and south of the equator and is measured
as an angle in degrees from the center of the Earth. Latitude lines are drawn from west
to east on a map/globe. These lines start at 0 and end at 90. Anything north of the
equator is denoted with a “N” after the degree reading. Anything south of the equator is
denoted with a “S” after the degree reading. Equator has a reading of 0o. North Pole is
90oN latitude and South Pole is 90oS latitude.
Longitude (aka meridians) is the distance east and west of the prime meridian and are
lines that are drawn north and south on a map/globe. These lines start a 0 and end at
180. Anything east of the prime meridian is denoted with a “E” after the degree reading
and anything west of the prime meridian is denoted with a “W” after the degree reading.
Prime Meridian is 0o and the International Date Line is 180o.
Intersecting latitude and longitude lines determine the location of a point on the Earth’s
surface. Proper notation of location must be written.
Metric System/Conversion
Temperature
Most of the world uses the Celsius scale. Scientist will use the Kelvin scale. The U.S.
uses the Fahrenheit scale. Boiling point on the Fahrenheit scale is 212 oF while on the
Celsius scale it is 100oC. To convert Celsius degrees to Fahrenheit degrees, the
equation is oF= (1.8)oC + 32o. To convert Fahrenheit degrees to Celsius degrees, the
equation is oC= (oF -32o)/ 1.8. To convert Kelvins (K) to Celsius degrees, subtract 273
and add the degree symbol.
Density and Specific Gravity
These are important properties of a material. Density is the mass of a substance per
unit volume (D=m/v) and is usually expressed in grams per cubic centimeter
(g/cm3). The specific gravity of a solid is the ratio of the mass of a given volume
of a substance to the mass of an equal volume of another substance (usually
water at 4oC). Since specific gravity is a ratio, there are no units. The density of
pure water at 4oC is 1 g/cm3. If the volume can’t be measured using a ruler, the
displacement method is used. A graduated cylinder is filled with water to a level.
This beginning level is recorded in mL and then the object is lowered into the
water. The water level will rise and the ending level is recorded in mL. The
difference between the beginning and the ending level is taken and this amount
is the volume of the object. The milliliter of water has the volume approximately
equal to a cubic centimeter. The cubic centimeter of water (one milliliter) has a
mass of approximately one gram.