CES 210 1st EditionExam # 1 Study GuideDefinitions from each lectureLecture OneEnvironmental Science: It’s a systematic study of our environmentIncludes all of the following: observation, identification, description, experimental investigation and theoretical explanation of phenomena (new advances in science and technology).Variable: factor that influences a processControl Group: variable that isn’t alteredTheory: integrated explanation of numerous hypothesesLecture TwoScience: is a process for producing knowledge both methodically and logicallyIt depends on scientist making precise observations of natural phenomenaEmpiricism: learning about the world through careful observationUniformitarianism: basic patterns and process are uniform across time and spaceParisomy: when two plausible explanations are reasonable, the easier one is preferredUncertainty: knowledge changes as new evidence appears, and explanations change with the new evidenceRepeatability: test and experiments should be repeatable, if same results cannot be reproduced than the conclusions are incorrectProof is elusive: we rarely expect science to prove absolute proof that theory is correctThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.Testable questions: to find out whether a theory is correct it must be testedHypothesis: a testable explanationScientific theory: a description of explanation that has been supported by a large number of test and is considered reliableAccuracy: correctness of measurementsReproducibility: repeatability of results (replication: is the repeating of test or studies)Natural experiment: involves observation of events that have already happenedManipulative experiment: some variables are altered while others are held constantControlled study: comparing a treatment group to a controlled group (doesn’t receive treatment)Blind experiment: researcher doesn’t know which group has been altered until after the data has been analyzedDouble-blind experiment: neither the subject nor the researcher knows which has received treatment inthe groupProbability: measure of how likely something is to occurStatistics: calculating the probability that the observed results could have occurred by chanceScientific consensus: general agreement among informed scholars (self correcting process)Paradigm shifts: great changes in an explanatory framework (changing an explanation that is deemed “unsuitable”Models: are used for representation and come in many forms like physical, organism, or mathematicalSystems: network of interdependent components and process, containing materials and energy that flows from one of the component of the system to anotherState variable: stores resources such as matter of energy and have pathways that these resources can travel in order to move from one state variable to another. Examples plants to animalsCharacteristics: a system can be closed or openOpen: exchanges energy and matter with surroundingsClosed: self contained, changes no matter or energy with the outsideThroughput: the energy and matter that flow in and out of a systemPositive feedback loop: an increase in state creates a further increase in that stateNegative feedback loop: suppresses change within a system, in turn helps maintain stability of a systemEmergent properties: characteristics of a functioning system that are quantitatively or qualitatively greater than the sum of the systems parts. Example sights and sounds can make a system such as a mountain exciting to studyEquilibrium: system becomes stable over time (homeostasis)Disturbance: destructive events like a fire or flood that change a systemResilience: the ability of a system to recover from the disturbance State shift: a disturbance so severe that the system does not turn back to normal but instead changes some of its state variablesLecture ThreeEconomy: management of resources to meet the needs in the most efficient manner possibleSustainable Development: meeting the needs of the present without compromising meeting the needs of generations in the futureResources: anything with potential use in creating wealth or giving satisfactionCapital: any form of wealth that can be used to create more wealth- Natural: from nature- Manufactured or built: tools or infrastructure- Human, cultural, or social: shared values, trust cooperation, knowledge, experienceSupply: the quantity of a product being offered for sale at different pricesDemand: the amount of product or service consumers that are willing to buy that product at various prices as long as their preferences are metMarginal costs: the cost of producing one more unit of product or service (for the seller)Marginal benefit: how much would he or she benefit from buying one more unit? (for the buyer)Price Elasticity: item follows supply and demand curves exactlyPolitical Economics: is concerned with social structure and relationships among classesNeoclassical Economics: adapted principles of modern science with economic analysisSteady-State Economy: characterized by low human birth and death rates, use of renewable energy sources, material recycling, emphasis on efficiency and stabilityLecture FourEcological economics: Tries to makes producers account for social as well as environmental costs; Needs to question necessity of constant growthIdentifies externalities so that prices reflect total cost of production or reduce/change method or producing goodsSustainability: means living on the earth’s renewable resources without damaging the ecological processthat supports us allSustainable development: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (effort to marry both sustainability and sustainable development)Development: means improving peoples lives, usually through increased access to goods (like food) or services (like education)Gross National Product (GNP) two ways to calculate flow of money from households to businesses in forms of goods/services purchasedCost of production in form of wages, rent, interest, taxes, and profitIn both calculations, depreciation for wear and tear on machines, building, etc. is includedGross Domestic Product (GDP): only includes economic activity within national boundariesGenuine Progress Index (GPI): takes into account real per capita income, distributional equity, natural resource depletion, and