Classification in Science: Usually, the First Task of Any Science

question 86

Essay

Classification in Science: Usually, the first task of any science is to classify the available observations. Often, the initial classification scheme reflects the historical order of discovery in addition to nature itself. In this question, we will use our solar system as an example. Make a complete list of all of the solar system components that you have studied in the last three chapters. Then try to place this list in historical order of discovery. For example, start your list with the Sun, Moon, Earth, and 5 "classical" planets, which have been known for all of human history, and end your list with Eris, the largest currently known Kuiper Belt object. Can you see the historical order of discovery reflected in the classification of objects on your list? Have there been occasions when this classification scheme has been revised? Finally, does the classification scheme for the solar system introduce any artificial divisions, making strict categories from objects with a continuous range of properties?

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