Introduction
Biology and information technology holds many things in common. The two aspects deal with astounding complexity, organism representing biology and networks, computers representing technology. Experts have developed many innovations in the world today that focuses on solving different problems affecting the society. The following paper helps in naming and explaining how a specific scientific method helps solve the problem.
The definitions of scientific and pseudoscientific bring many confusion and debates. Pseudoscience refers to the abuse of a certain claim that an individual does not like for any given reason. There exists a concrete difference between science and pseudoscience.
Strengths and limitations of scientific knowledge and the scientific method
One of the strengths of scientific knowledge and the scientific method is the ability to tell individuals where the universe originated. Scientific knowledge plays a critical role in the society today because most predictions made through scientific methods help solving major problems affecting people such as crime. On the other hand, science helps in understanding the universe and its origin but bears a major limitation. The question of God and the existence of religion create a huge controversy about arguments of science and the origin of the universe. Scientific knowledge and methods only deal with the physical world and speaks less about the concept of God. Additionally, scientific knowledge concentrates on particular methods of investigations that involve developing a problem requiring a solution. The issue requires a test experiment where two variables must be present. The test for the existence of God using a scientific method is impossible because God as a variable cannot be present (Burkett, 2006).
Conducting an experiment using the scientific method
Science plays a major role in explaining the origin of human beings and other organisms found on earth. Information derived from scientists assist in knowing the origin and development of the universe. Experts have developed many scientific methods that help solve daily problems experienced by human beings. Science is responsible for technological gains and helps more in understanding different phenomena happening in the world today. For example, the use of biogas technology is a form of the scientific method used to solve the problem of energy. The person who discovered the biogas combined biological and technological knowledge to develop a system that utilizes biological principles to produce energy. In the scientific method, a person makes observations concerning a physical phenomenon and explains how such a phenomenon could be solved by applying technology. In order to provide a concrete explanation of how a phenomenon happens, a hypothesis must be tested in order to determine whether the test outcomes will accept or reject.
Experimental questions
- How does biogas solve energy problems?
- What is the initial cost of installing a biogas system for domestic use?
- What is the society’s concern about the introduction of biogas?
- Does biogas pollute the environment?
In an experiment to investigate the role of biogas to solve energy problems the following hypotheses sets in:
Hypotheses
H0: Biogas helps solve energy problems by introducing a convenient and environmental friendly source of energy.
H1: Biogas energy does not solve the energy problem experienced in the universe today
Experiment design
The main concern for this experiment is on the data derived from the experiment. The experiment took place in one of the villages in New York where people extensively use kerosene, charcoal, and electricity as main sources of energy. Twenty participants took place in the experiment. Two sets from the group formed the respondent. Ten homesteads were allowed to use biogas fuel while the remaining ten used the normal sources of energy like kerosene, electricity, and charcoal. The data collection methods included questionnaires, and surveys in 10 selected homesteads that changed to using biogas. The data collection process took two years. Inferential statistics was used to determine the relationship between variables and investigate the outcome of experiment results.
Interpreting results
The interview results showed that homesteads that used biogas as a source of power indicated a 70% decline in the cost of power used per month. Additionally, these families suffered from a limited number of illnesses and complained less about pollution caused by the source of energy. Additionally, the experimental outcome showed that biogas power was more convenient compared to other sources. There was no change in monthly cost of power for families that continued to use common forms of energy in their daily activities. Interview results indicated that families complained of pollution caused by charcoal and kerosene. Moreover, these families used electricity for lighting their homesteads and the power bill kept increasing each month.
Conclusion
The experiment outcomes show that biogas technology helps solve energy problems and creates a favorable environment for users. Biogas solves energy problems by introducing a low-cost energy generation system that uses gas produced by decomposing animal and human waste. The technology uses biological knowledge in absorbing the gas from human waste, and technology plays a part in turning the gas into energy. The use of biogas in the society today has increased as more people want a pollution-free source of power capable of sustaining home energy needs for a long time. In conclusion, observations made from the experiment indicated that biogas, a scientific knowledge, helps solve energy problems and does not pollute the environment. Therefore, we accept the null hypotheses and reject the alternative hypotheses.
Fracking (hydraulic fracturing) and tar sands (oil sands)
Technology advancements go beyond scientific methods to more extensive problem-solving activities. Hydraulic fracturing is the process of breaking down rocks using hydraulic power in order to release liquid underneath under pressure. The fluid is mainly gas of petroleum used in industries as a source of energy. Fossil fuel comes from rocks, and the process is used in the extraction of fossil fuels. Oil and gas firms use hydraulic fracturing by drilling a hole into the rock containing oil/gas, and pumping a highly pressurized fluid into the hole that allows extraction of natural gasses and oil. On the other hand, tar sands forms are naturally occurring mixture of clay, sand, water and a viscous form of petroleum. Most oil occurs in the form of tar sand, and an extensive process is used to separate oil from the mixture (Malhotra, 2012).
Environmental problems associated with hydraulic fracturing and tar sands
Hydraulic fracturing causes a lot of environmental problems. Firstly, the fracturing process produces a lot of dust that causes air pollution. Additionally, the equipments used to drill holes into rocks interfere with water tables and might contaminate underground waters causing water pollution. Additionally, the equipment produces loud noises that cause noise pollution. On the other hand, extraction of petroleum from tar sands interferes with underground water, and the equipments used cause both soil and water pollution. Moreover, the cracks and depressions left after extracting oil from rocks and sand deposits cause greater risks towards human lives if not covered.
Solving the problem
Firms involved in oil and gas extraction should use more technologically advanced equipment that produce less noise and cause less disturbance to water tables. Additionally, the depressions and furrows left after extracting petroleum from tar sand should be used as landfills.
References
Burkett, R. (2006). Science: Strengths and Limitations. Retrieved November 26, 2014 from
http://faculty.southwest.tn.edu/rburkett/SRcourse_Sci_Limits.htm
Malhotra, R. (2012). Fossil energy: Selected entries from the Encyclopedia of Sustainability
Science and Technology. Dordrecht: Springer.
