Environmental Sciences

Environmental Sciences

Section A

Null hypothesis

A hypothesis is a proposed explanation of a phenomenon. It is a Greek term and originally derived from the phrase 'to suppose'. Hypothesis testing is the process where a phenomenon is tested, based on samples derived from the population and based on the outcome, either the null or the alternative hypothesis is accepted. Accepting the null hypothesis means that the original assumption stayed true, as observed by the research (Hilborn & Mangel, 1997).

Observations rewritten as hypothesis (with dependent/independent variables)

Usually, the null hypothesis is written as H0 and the alternate hypothesis is written as H1.

H0: Eggshells of eggs produced by birds are thinner when exposed to mercury

H1: Eggshells of eggs produced by birds do not get thinner due to exposure to mercury

H0: Using salt in winter reduces the growth of plants near roads

H1: Using salt in winter does not reduce the growth of plants near roads

H0: Gulls covered in oil cannot fly

H1: Gulls covered in oil can fly

H0: Snow reduces the population of squirrels

H1: Snow does not reduce the population of squirrels

H0: In areas of acid precipitation, trees are shorter

H1: In areas of acid precipitation, the height of trees is not affected

Five environmental phenomena affecting the region

Global Warming

Global warming is a phenomenon affecting the entire world. With the hole in the ozone layer continuously increasing, the world we live in is getting more and more exposed to the harmful UV rays of the sun.

Pollution

Cars, construction sites, factories and heavy machinery used all over the world are some factors that contribute greatly towards pollution of the air and water supply of the world.

Increasing population

The world's population has grown twice of what it was in the last five years and within the next ten years, experts predict that it will grow by more than 300 percent. This leads to shortage ...