Because scholars have differing perspectives on the subject
The term science has numerous definitions around the world. Science is the process of acquiring knowledge via experience or study. Chemistry, physics, biology, and geography are some of the subjects studied in science. Where the former refers to the earth and the latter to the act of describing. Geography is divided into main and minor branches. Physical geography and human geography are the two major fields. Geographical researchers apply scientific approaches in their work since geography is classed as a science. For instance, the theories describing the origin the earth used a scientific method to arrive at the conclusions.
The earth has various systems also referred to as spheres
These systems include the atmosphere, the biosphere, the hydrosphere, and the geosphere. Scientists have always tried to study the interrelationship between these systems where they found that one event in one sphere may directly or indirectly affect other spheres. The geosphere is that part of the earth that contains the crust, mantle, and core. The biosphere is a collection of all forms of life on earth. The atmosphere includes the space covered by air on earth. Moreover, the gaseous, liquid and solid water found on earth form part of the hydrosphere.
In scientific reasoning, there is a difference between a hypothesis and theory
A hypothesis refers to a suggestion, any possible outcome or an assumption that is made before any applicable research has been performed. On the other hand, a theory is a principle used to explain a phenomenon that has been proved from data. Also, theories are always supported by evidence, unlike a hypothesis (Hempel, 2009).
The process of conducting a scientific experiment
Often follows certain methods referred to as the scientific methods. Researchers have agreed in the past that a hypothesis can lead to the formation of a theory. However, a hypothesis cannot be proved from a single experiment because of possible errors during the process. It should be noted that scientific methods are used to guide and help the scientist in organizing the thoughts and procedures so that they may better account for the results of an experiment. There are several steps from formation of a hypothesis to the theory state. These stages include hypothesis testing and prediction, experiments, conclusion, and reproducibility of the result respectively ("The Scientific Method", 2017).
In science, theories are like stepping stones to the formation of scientific laws
It should be noted that proving theories is never easy since scientific method have to be followed carefully. Besides, these methods may be frustrating to scientists and also, not all the theories stated can be proved in science. In this regard, if a researcher proves a theory, it is transformed into law.
Question 2
Charles Darwin is one of the greatest scientists the world has ever produced. He is best remembered for his contribution towards science specifically about evolution. Darwin is considered as a naturalist and a biologist due to his interest and research work. It is from these fields that Darwin developed the interest in species where he then developed his concept of natural selection and the theory of evolution. Darwin used the birds called mockingbirds that were found in Galapagos Island (Johnson, 2013).
There are several theories that Darwin developed
However, he is highly recognized for his contribution towards evolution through the concept of natural selection. In developing this theory, Charles Darwin followed the scientific method. He started with developing an idea about species, then, he formulated a hypothesis about his idea. Since Darwin was a naturalist, he experimented by researching mockingbirds from different environments. Darwin's result suggested that he was correct in his hypothesis; therefore, he accepted the hypothesis. Nevertheless, he went ahead to test his hypothesis further when he noticed the similarities in the fossil of megatheres and the armadillo. The two creatures lived in different environments with the former in Argentina and the latter in South America (Rosenberger, 2003). In this regard, the hypothesis was reproducible and hence justifying the theory of evolution, unlike his predecessors.
Darwin was responsible for collecting and classifying different natural and historical specimens
While working on the British survey vessel. After the collection of the mockingbirds, he classified them according to the theories, concept, and knowledge he learned while in college. However, since he was not an ornithologist, he had to confirm with John Gould who was the most experienced bird specialist from England at that time. Darwin classification was wrong because he was using the perfect form of species for classification. Thus, he concluded that if the species were not perfect replicates, then there was the possibility of transmutation. Darwin confirmed his idea of evolution by researching on the fossils of megatheres from Argentina which had resemblance with armadillo of South America (Rosenberger, 2003).
Scientists to date have used the idea of natural selection
Before the rise of naturalists in the 19th century, researchers, philosophers, and scholars also believed that all species should remain much the same irrespective of the period between different generations. Therefore, they also thought creatures look similar or different because of the work of an omnipotent creator. The rise of naturalists changed this belief, in the modern era, Darwin is considered as the father of evolution by many scientists. The theory of natural selection explains the differences in appearance between things of the same species living in the different environment (Patanella, 2011). Therefore, due to individuals of the same species competing for limited space, some members of the species will migrate to other places. They change their features in the process to adapt to the new environment for survival.
Question 3
In the world we live in, different seasons are attributed to the difference in temperature in various parts of the earth in a year. These seasons include summer, winter, autumn, and spring. The primary reason that accounts for the difference in seasons is the fact that the earth axis is not perpendicular to the orbital plane. Therefore, this makes the earth to tilt at an angle of about 23.4 degrees. In this regard, when the sun is close to the northern hemisphere, the southern hemisphere receives less sunlight since the sun will be far away. This implies that the north and south hemisphere experience opposite seasons. Therefore, when it is winter in one hemisphere, the other receives summer season (Hudson, 2017).
Rotation is defined as the process where the earth turns around its imaginary line called the axis
On the other hand, revolution refers to the movement of the planets around the sun in their distinct orbits. When the earth rotates and revolves, it forms phases in the process. The day and night are as a result of the rotation while the four seasons of the earth result from revolution.
Due to the earth tilted axis
The hours of the day and night keep on changing depending on the season except for individuals living around the equator where they experience 12 hours of the day and 12 of the night the whole year. On the northern hemisphere, the days are shorter and nights longer during winter when the sun reaches its farthest southern point. This day is referred to as the December solstice. During this period the sun rises and sets the farthest southernmost point relative due east and west respectively (Grieser, 2013).
On the other hand, the longest day in the northern hemisphere comes during the summer or June solstice
During this period, the sun is at the farthest northern point, and it sets and rises slightly in the northernmost position. Equinox is that time on the earth when the day and night have equal hours. There are two incidences of equinox when the position of the earth has not tilted away or towards the sun. An individual at 66 degrees on the summer solstice will experience longer hours during the day and shorter hours during the night because of the closeness to the northern pole (Grieser, 2013).
After answering question three, I have appreciated the scientific reasoning behind what happens to human beings in their day to day lives
The concepts of seasons will help me to prepare for the summer and winter adequately. It is also evident that geographers have labored in the past to be able to explain this phenomenon's in details.
References
Grieser, J. (2013). The summer solstice: Northern Hemisphere’s longest day, highest sun of the year. Washington Post. Retrieved 21 September 2017, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2013/06/20/summer-solstice-2013-northern-hemispheres-longest-day-highest-sun-of-the-year/?utm_term=.354a91d86a6a
Hempel, C. (2009). Scientific Explanation. Philosophy of Science: An Historical Anthology, 344.
Hudson, C. (2017). The Reasons for the Seasons. Morehead.unc.edu. Retrieved 22 September 2017, from http://www.morehead.unc.edu/Shows/EMS/seasons.htm
Johnson, P. E. (2010). Darwin on trial. InterVarsity Press.
Patanella, D. (2011). Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection. In Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development (pp. 461-463). Springer US.
Rosenberger, A. L. (2003). Visionlearning.com. Visionlearning. Retrieved 22 September 2017, from https://www.visionlearning.com/en/library/Biology/2/Charles-Darwin-I/110
The Scientific Method. (2017). Sciencemadesimple.com. Retrieved 22 September 2017, from http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/scientific_method.html
