Science Fundamentals: Method, Measurement, Weather

Scientific Method Basics

Q, R, H, E, D, C, P

Aristotle gave us the hypothesis step (if you think hard enough, you can figure out the answer).

Galileo gave us the experiment step 2,000 years later.

For a controlled experiment, only one variable can change. If more than one changes, then the results are invalid.

Scientific Measuring Tools

Know the scientific measuring tools and what they measure:

  • Metric ruler: measures length in centimeters
  • Thermometer: measures the temperature of objects
  • Triple Beam Balance:
Read More

Java Programs: Leap Year, Divisibility, and More

Checking for Leap Years in Java

This program allows the user to enter a year and checks whether it is a leap year:

import java.util.Scanner;

public class Leap {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        Scanner input = new Scanner(System.in);
        System.out.print("Enter a year: ");
        int year = input.nextInt();

        if ((year % 4 == 0 && year % 100 != 0) || (year % 400 == 0)) {
            System.out.println(year + " is a leap year ");
        } else {
          
Read More

Java Programming Exercises: Calculations and Conversions

Exercise Listing 2.1: Calculate Circle Area

Write a simple application that computes the area of a circle, knowing that π = 3.14159 and radius = 20.

ComputeArea.java

public class ComputeArea {
public static void main(String[] args) {
double radius; // Declare radius
double area; // Declare area
// Assign a radius
radius = 20; // radius is now 20
// Compute area
area = radius * radius * 3.14159;
// Display results
System.out.println("The area
Read More

Aurora, Atmospheric Phenomena, and Meteorology: Key Concepts

Aurora

An aurora is a glow that appears in the night sky, usually in polar regions. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is known as the Aurora Borealis, and in the Southern Hemisphere, it is known as the Aurora Australis.

Origin of the Aurora Borealis or Polaris

An aurora originates when a solar mass ejection collides with the north and south poles of the Earth’s magnetosphere, which is projected to the ionosphere.

Variation of Temperatures

  • Diurnal Variation: The change in temperature between day and night
Read More

Aviation and Snow Sports Weather: Clouds, Visibility, and Hazards

Flying Weather: Clouds and Ceiling

Normal Clouds:

  • Convective/Cumuliform clouds (Cu): Look like stacked cotton balls, associated with updrafts.
  • Layer/Stratiform clouds (St): Look like sheets/blankets, extending horizontally.
    • Nimbostratus: Precipitating.
    • Stratus: Not precipitating.

From increasing height: stratus/nimbostratus, altostratus/cumulus, cirrostratus/cumulus, cirrus.

Special Clouds:

  • Clouds in unstable air aloft:
    • Castellanus: Small castle turrets, indicate potential thunderstorms.
    • Billow (K-
Read More

Evapotranspiration & Cloud Types: Measurement Methods

Actual Evapotranspiration (ETR)

Actual evapotranspiration (ETR) refers to evapotranspiration under real environmental conditions, considering variations in soil moisture and incomplete cover.

Methods for Determining Potential Evapotranspiration

Experimental Methods

Experimental methods are conducted in agricultural experiment stations, either in test plots or in lysimeters.

  • Test Plots: Test plots involve preparing plots of land with established vegetation cover. The test controls all moisture inputs
Read More