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PRAXIS 5572 · COURSE

Praxis 5572 Earth and Space Sciences course

40 guided lessons across 4 sections. Read the first chapter free — no account needed.

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Scientific Knowledge: Evidence, Theories, Laws, and Models

Science is not a collection of guesses. It is a way of explaining the natural world using evidence.

Key words

Evidence First
Scientific claims must be supported by observations or measurements. An opinion is not evidence simply because someone believes it strongly. — e.g. An opinion is not evidence simply because someone believes it strongly
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a testable proposed explanation. For example, “Soil with more water warms more slowly” can be tested by measuring temperature. — e.g. For example, “Soil with more water warms more slowly” can be tested by measuring temperature
Theory Vs. Law
A scientific theory explains how or why a pattern occurs; a scientific law describes a consistent relationship. A theory does not graduate into a law. — e.g. A theory does not graduate into a law
Models
A model is a simplified representation used to explain or predict. A globe shows Earth’s shape but cannot display every mountain at full detail. — e.g. A globe shows Earth’s shape but cannot display every mountain at full detail
Science Changes
Strong new evidence can improve scientific explanations. Revising a model after new measurements is a strength, not a failure. — e.g. Revising a model after new measurements is a strength, not a failure

EVIDENCE FIRST

Scientific claims must be supported by observations or measurements. An opinion is not evidence simply because someone believes it strongly.

HYPOTHESIS

A hypothesis is a testable proposed explanation. For example, “Soil with more water warms more slowly” can be tested by measuring temperature.

THEORY VS. LAW

A scientific theory explains how or why a pattern occurs; a scientific law describes a consistent relationship. A theory does not graduate into a law.

MODELS

A model is a simplified representation used to explain or predict. A globe shows Earth’s shape but cannot display every mountain at full detail.

SCIENCE CHANGES

Strong new evidence can improve scientific explanations. Revising a model after new measurements is a strength, not a failure.

Remember this

  • Evidence is the basis of science.
  • Theories explain; laws describe.
  • Models are useful but have limits.

Theory explains WHY; law describes WHAT.

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Every lesson in the course

I. Nature and Impact of Science and Engineering

15%
  1. Scientific Knowledge: Evidence, Theories, Laws, and ModelsFree
  2. Designing Investigations: Variables and Fair Tests
  3. Measurement, Units, Uncertainty, and Data
  4. Laboratory and Field Safety and Research Tools
  5. Engineering Design: Criteria, Constraints, and Optimization
  6. Environmental Impacts, Resources, and Natural Hazards

II. Earth’s Processes and Materials

45%
  1. Atoms, minerals, and properties of matter
  2. Solutions, chemical changes, and geochemical reactions
  3. Energy, waves, heat transfer, and phase changes
  4. Plate tectonics: evidence and mechanisms
  5. Plate boundaries and associated landforms
  6. Stress, deformation, folds, and faults
  7. Earthquakes, seismic waves, and Earth’s interior
  8. Volcanoes, magmas, and eruption hazards
  9. Mineral identification and crystal properties
  10. Igneous rocks and cooling environments
  11. Sedimentary rocks and depositional environments
  12. Metamorphic rocks and pressure-temperature conditions
  13. Rock cycle and material transformations
  14. Chemical and mechanical weathering
  15. Erosion, deposition, soils, and surface landscapes
  16. Carbon and nitrogen cycles in Earth systems
  17. Relative dating, stratigraphy, and geologic principles
  18. Radiometric dating, half-life, and geologic time

III. Earth’s Hydrosphere and Atmosphere

22%
  1. Water properties, reservoirs, and the water cycle
  2. Groundwater, aquifers, streams, and watersheds
  3. Oceans: salinity, circulation, and coastal processes
  4. Atmospheric structure, composition, and radiation
  5. Weather systems, pressure, winds, and fronts
  6. Humidity, clouds, precipitation, and storms
  7. Climate systems, feedbacks, and climate change
  8. Weather maps, observations, and forecasting
  9. Interactions among hydrosphere, atmosphere, and life

IV. Astronomy

18%
  1. Celestial observations, coordinate systems, and sky motions
  2. Gravity, orbital motion, and Kepler’s laws
  3. Sun-Earth-Moon system, seasons, tides, and eclipses
  4. Solar system formation and planetary characteristics
  5. The Sun, stellar properties, and stellar evolution
  6. Galaxies, cosmology, and the expanding universe
  7. Electromagnetic radiation, spectra, and astronomical instruments
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