The Scientific Method: Real examples Monika V Sikand Ph.d Student Stevens Institute of Technology...

The Scientific Method: Real examples

Monika V SikandPh.d Student

Stevens Institute of TechnologyDepartment of Physics

Light and Life LaboratoryHoboken.

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Overview

• Stevens light and life laboratory research

• Scientific methods review

• Application of scientific methods

• Conclusion

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Research at Light and Life Laboratory

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Research at Light and Life Laboratory

Remote sensing of ocean color.QuickTime™ and a

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The Scientific method steps

• Observation• Question• Hypothesis• Experiment• Data collection• Conclusion

Observation

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Global Temperature

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Green house gases

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Melting ice

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Rising sea levels

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Hurricanes

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So what do we observe ?????

Global Warming & Climate Change

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Do you have a problem or Question?

Question ???????

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Think of an idea !!!!!!!!

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Let’s study the Earth’s radiation budget

Radiation incident from Sun - radiation reflected from earth

Radiation budget

Hypothesis: A scientific educated guess

If radiation budget increases then Globe is warming.

Plan the experiment

Investigation !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tethered Balloon system

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Ny-Alesund Svalbard, Norway (78.91N, 11.91E) in May/June 2008

Data Collection

Quantitative(numerical) and Qualitative(descriptive)

Quantitative dataEnergy (Mean Intensity)

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Qualitative dataCloud particles shape

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Analysis of results

Cloud model

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presence of clouds influences the mean intensity.

Results

The mixed phase clouds increases the mean intensity and hence the radiation budget.

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Conclusion

Mixed phase(both ice and water)clouds increase the radiation budget in Arctic

If radiation budget increases then Globe is warming.

Publication of results

“Optical properties of mixed phase boundary layer clouds observed from a tethered balloon platform in the Arctic” M.Sikand et al.

Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy & Radiative Transfer 111 (2010) 1921–1930

Interesting Links

http://climate.nasa.gov/kids/ClimateTimeMachine/climateTimeMachine_kids.cfm

http://climate.nasa.gov/kids/climateTales/index.cfm

The End

Thank you