Introduction to Physical Science

Chapter 1 The Nature of Science

Objectives
ACOS: 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1e You will be able to: 1.Define science and identify questions that science cannot answer. 2. Compare and contrast theories and laws. 3. Identify a system and its components 4. Identify the 3 main branches of science. 5. Identify some skills scientist use. 6. Define hypothesis. 7. Recognize the difference between observation and inference. 8. Describe various types of models. 9. Discuss limitations of models

What is Science?
Section 1

What is Science Learning about the world

Science is a way of learning more about the natural world. Scientists want to know why, how, or when something happened. Anyone can make a scientific discovery. Even you can be a scientist. This process usually begins when you open your eyes and ask questions about what you see.

What is Science Asking questions

Science can attempt to answer many questions about the natural world, but some questions cannot be answered by science.

Questions about art, politics, personal preference, or morality cant be answered by science. Science cant tell you what is right, wrong, good, or bad.

What is Science Possible explanations

Science can answer a question only with the information available at the time. As new information becomes available, explanations can be modified or discarded and new explanations can be made.

What is Science Scientific Theories

An attempt to explain a pattern observed repeatedly in the natural world is called a scientific theory.

Theories in science must be supported by observations and results from many investigations. They are the best explanations that have been found so far.

What is Science Scientific Theories

Theories can change. As new data become available, scientists evaluate how the new data fit the theory. If enough new data do not support the theory, the theory can be changed to fit the new observations better.

What is Science Scientific Law A rule that describes a pattern in nature is a scientific law.

For an observation to become a scientific law, it must be observed repeatedly.

For an observation to become a scientific law, it must be observed repeatedly. A law, however, does not explain why, for example, gravity exists or how it works.

A law, unlike a theory, does not attempt to explain why something happens. It simply describes a pattern.

Theory or Law
1. The Sun rises in the east every morning. 2. The Sun rises every day because gravity keeps Earth in orbit around the Sun 3. The Sun sets in the west every evening.

Theory or Law
1. The Sun rises in the east every morning. Law because it describes an observation 2. The Sun rises every day because gravity keeps Earth in orbit around the Sun Theory because it explains something 3. The Sun sets in the west every evening. Law because it describes an observation

What is Science Systems in Science

A system is a collection of structures, cycles, and processes that relate to and interact with each other. The structures, cycles, and processes are the parts of a system, just like your stomach is one of the structures of your digestive system.

What is Science Systems in Science

Science often is divided into three main categories, or brancheslife science, Earth science, and physical science.
Each branch asks questions about different kinds of systems.

What is Science Physical Science

The study of matter and energy is physical science. The study of Earth systems and the systems in space is Earth science. The study of living systems and the ways in which they interact is Life Science. Technology is the application of science in our everyday lives.

What is Science Physical Science

Physical science can be divided into two general fieldschemistry and physics. Chemistry is the study of matter and the interactions of matter. Physics is the study of energy and its ability to change matter.

Questions
1. A rule that describes a pattern in nature is known as _______. A. a scientific theory B. a scientific law C. a scientific hypothesis D. a scientific rule

Answer
1. The answer is B. A scientific law only recognizes that patterns exist in nature; it doesnt try to explain why they exist. When you drop a rock, it always fallsthanks to the law of gravity.

Questions
2. Which of the following questions cannot be answered by science? A. How old is the sun? B. How do volcanoes erupt? C. Should we be kind to strangers? D. Why is the sky blue?

Answer
2. The answer is C. Moral questions cannot be answered by science. The other questions can be answered by the careful study of nature.

Science in Action
Section 2

 Infer you are drawing a conclusion based on what you observe. Controlled experiment Involves changing one factor and observing its effects on another while keeping all other factors constant.

Variables and Constants

When you conduct an experiment you have variables and constants Variables: Factors that can be changed in an experiment
Independent variable: The variable that is changed Dependent variable: changes as a result of a change in the independent variable

Constants: Factors that can NOT be changed in an experiment

Scientific Method
Purpose
Conclusion Research

Analysis

Hypothesis

Experiment

Scientific Method
Hypothesis: A reasonable and educated possible answer based on what you know and what you observe.

Scientific Method
Purpose (Question): What do you want to learn?
Try to be specific . Make sure it says what you want it to. Make sure it makes sense and that you can find enough materials to answer your question.

Research: Find out as much about your topic as you can.

Written materials Experts Conference or Lecture Libraries

Scientific Method
Hypothesis: Predict the answer to the problem. You say This is what I think will happen
All hypothesis MUST include the following.
The focus of the experiment Whats being measured Conditions Expected results

Your statement should sound like this:

Water will evaporate sooner in the sun than in a shady location. If I mark my shadow on Monday and again on Friday, the position of the shadow will have changed. Homemade ice cream tastes better than store-bought ice cream. ALWAYS PUT THE BECAUSE

Scientific Method
Experiment: Design a test to confirm or disprove your hypothesis.
You test the hypothesis to see if it correct
Use instruments that are appropriate for the experiment. Decide what the controls and variables should be. How long should the experiment last? Use trial and error. Do the same test over and over Pay attention to everything. Be exact

Scientific Method
Data/Organize your findings: Record what happened during the experiment
Record the following:
Data collected What you observed What events happened and what changes occurred Any errors Conclusions

Conclusion: Was your hypothesis correct?

Scientific Method Making it SIMPLE

Question Hypothesis Procedure Data Conclusion Next Question/Step

Scientific Method

IF your hypothesis was wrong. Start over.

Evaluating Scientific Explanation

Section 4

Evaluating Scientific Explanation

Critical Thinking is using what you know to decide if new facts should be agreed with or believed. Data can be recording the observations you observe. Data
Should be exact. Should be carefully, accurately, and completely noted. Must be repeatable to be reliable

Open Ended Questions

1. You performed an experiment using only 1 trial. Why would the experiment have been better if you had used multiple trials? 2. Why is critical thinking important in science?