Catris - Nature of Science

SPECIALIZATION: PHYSICAL SCIENCES
Focus: Nature of Science

By: Dr. Leticia V. Catris
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Competencies:
1. Describe the process of science and the branches of science.
2. Identify the steps in scientific method.
3. Identify the common laboratory tools used to measure length, volume, mass and
temperature.
4. Explain the importance of safety rules and symbols in the laboratory.
5. Discuss the importance of a universal language of measurement.
6. Differentiate the basic types of physical quantities.
7. Identify the metric units used in scientific measurements.
8. Use dimensional analysis to convert one metric unit to another.
9. Integrate scientific notation in conversion of units.
10. Quantify the language of science through the types of relationship existing
between two variables.
PART I – CONTENT UPDATE

WHAT IS SCIENCE?
The word science comes from the Latin "scientia," meaning knowledge. It refers to the
organized, systematized, and logical body of knowledge that uses observation and
experimentation to describe and explain natural phenomena.
The goal of science is to understand the world around us. To prove this, one of the skills
one should develop is the ability to organize things in a logical and orderly manner – that is to
classify things. The study of science can be classified into groups:
 Biology - is life science; it deals with living things, their parts and functions and their
interactions with the world around them. Smaller branches of life science include:
 Zoology – the study of animals
 Botany – the study of plants
 Earth Science – deals with the study of the Earth and its rocks, oceans, volcanoes,
earthquakes, atmosphere, and other features. This includes astronomy, that explore
nature beyond Earth, to include the stars, other planets and moons.
 Physical Science – deals with the study of matter and energy. This includes:
 Chemistry – explore what substances are made of and how they change and
combine.
 Physics – explore the study of the relationship between matter and energy.
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
What distinguishes science from the other fields of study is the way in which it seeks
answers to questions. What separates science is an approach called Scientific Method, a step-
by-step way of doing things. The scientific method is a process of experimentation used to
explore observations and answer questions. This method is used to search for cause and effect
relationships in nature.
The basic steps in the scientific method are:
 Identifying the Problem – knowing what you want to investigate or study or ask a question
about something that you observe (example: Does the color of light a tomato plant
receives affect the size of its fruits?)
 Gathering Information on The Problem – collecting important and relevant data or

information about the problem through observations, reviews of previous investigations,
analysis of books and browsing of the internet
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 Formulating Hypothesis – a hypothesis is an educated guess about how things work. The
hypothesis is a simple statement that defines what you think the outcome of your
experiment will be. This will help you find out what the answer to your problem might be.
Null Hypothesis: The color of light a tomato plant receives will not affect the size
of the tomato fruit.
Alternative Hypothesis: A tomato plant exposed to red light will have bigger tomato fruits
than that exposed to white light.
 Testing the Hypothesis - designing and carrying out an experiment to test whether your
hypothesis is true or false. This includes determining the material, apparatus, and the
procedures to follow. It is important for your experiment to be a fair test, making sure that
you change only one factor (experimental variable) at a time while keeping all other
conditions (control variables) the same. Making several trials or repeats of the experiment
will likewise assure that the results are not just accidental.
Experimental variables: colors of light (red, blue, yellow, green)

Control Variables: amount of light, type of soil, tomato plant, amount of water,
nutrients received by the plants
 Recording and Analyzing Data – interpreting, analyzing and evaluating the information
gathered and the results of the experiment. The results can be presented in a table,
graph or chart.
 Stating a Conclusion - drawing conclusions based on the observations and results and
answering the problem stated. State whether the hypothesis is true or false
Even though the scientific method is shown as a series of steps, new information or
thinking might cause a scientist to back up and repeat steps at any point during the process. A
process like the scientific method that involves such backing up and repeating is called an
iterative process.
Learning science is doing science. Science is not merely a collection of facts and theories
but a process, a way of thinking about and investigating the world in which we live. This
addresses skills that are used by scientists as they discover and explain the physical universe-
skills that are an essential and ongoing part of learning science.
One of the most important skills in science is observation.

Metric Most of the time we think of observation as something we do with
rule our eyes, however, all five senses should be used to make
observations: sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell.
Observing can include reading and studying what others

clock have done in the past because scientific knowledge is collective.
Observations in science are called data. We can make two kinds
of observations: those that are facts, and those that are opinions.
Facts are those things that are true for everybody. Opinions are
beliefs based on personal preference.
Data may also be qualitative or quantitative. Qualitative

data are information that are hard to measure, count, or describe
thermometer
in numbers. They describe the qualities or characteristics of how
something looks, feels, smells etc. with adjectives. Examples are
color, taste, and sound. Quantitative data are information that are
measured and expressed in numbers.
Fundamental physical quantities are measured directly

using measuring devices and tools. These include:
Length, L - the distance between two distinct points.

Platform
balance This can be measured by a metric ruler. Width, W, is the
horizontal distance and height, H, is the vertical distance.
Mass, m - the measure of the amount of material in an object.

ammeter
The mass of an object remains the same even if the position of the
object is changed with reference to the earth’s center.
luxmeter
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The standard unit of mass is the kilogram (kg). One (1) kg is the mass of 1 liter (L) of water
at 4C and a pressure of 1 atmosphere, (atm). It is measured by an instrument known as the
triple beam balance or the equal arm (platform) balance.
Time, t is the regular interval between two successive points.
The standard unit of time is the second. The second was originally defined in terms of the motion
of the earth, but it was revised and instead compared to vibrations of cesium atoms.
Electric current, I is the measure of the flow of electrons or charges. An ammeter is used to
measure current expressed as Ampere (A).
Luminous intensity, E is the amount of illumination received by an object. The unit of measure
to describe this is candela (cd).
Number of moles, n is the amount of substance expressed in moles (mol).
The mole is the amount of substance of a system which contains as many elementary entities as
there are atoms in 0.012 kilogram of carbon 12. When the mole is used, the elementary entities
must be specified and may be atoms, molecules, ions, electrons, other particles, or specified
groups of such particles.
Temperature, T - the measure of the hotness or coldness of an object.
It is technically defined as the measure of the average kinetic energy of a body. It can be
measured by an instrument known as thermometer. Three temperature scales are commonly
used and the temperature conversions between them are:
 Kelvin (K) / degree Celsius (0C) conversions:

K = 0C+ 273 o
C= K - 273
 degree Fahrenheit (oF) / degree Celsius(0C) conversions:

0
F = 0C x 1.8 + 32 0
C = (0 F - 32.) / 1.8
Some baseline temperatures in the three temperature scales:
temperature kelvin Celsius Fahrenheit

symbol K °C °F
boiling point of water 373 100 212
melting point of ice 273 0 32
absolute zero 0 -273 -459.67
Common temperature comparisons:
temperature Celsius Fahrenheit
symbol °C °F
boiling point of water 100 212
average human body temperature 37 98.6
average room temperature 20 - 25 68 - 77
melting point of ice 0. 32
Derived Quantities are quantities that are based from fundamental quantities.
These quantities are determined using formula. Examples of these quantities are:
 Area, A = L x W . m 2, cm2 are the units used to express this quantity in mks and cgs
respectively.
 Volume, V is the amount of space occupied by matter. The volume of solids can be
measured based on the length, L, width, W, and height, H.
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V=LxWx H
 The volume of liquids can be measured by using a graduated cylinder. It can also
measure volume of irregular solids through water displacement. To express volume in
mks and cgs, m3, cm3 are the units used respectively.
 Density, D is the mass per unit volume. D = m/V. The units used are kg/m3 or g/cm3 in
mks and cgs respectively.
 Weight, W is the amount of pull of gravity on an object. W = mg, where g is the

gravitational acceleration equal to 9.8 m/s2, 980 cm/s2 or 32 ft/s2.
 Speed, v is the ratio of distance traveled and time of travel. v = d/t expressed in
meter/second (m/s)
 Pressure, P - is a push or force against each unit area of an object’s surface.
Air pressure can be measured by using a barometer.
F
P = -----
A
Liquid pressure can be measured using the formula
P = hdg
where h is the height of the liquid

d is the density of the liquid
g is the acceleration due to gravity, 9.8 m/s2,
980 cm/s2 or 32 f/s2.
 Other derived quantities are acceleration, energy, work, and all the other quantities
except the 7 fundamental quantities.
 Instruments used in measuring mass:
TRIPLE-BEAM BALANCE
 For Testing and Observation:
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 Iron ring, ring stand and wire gauze - provide support for glassware, especially during
heating
 Beaker – a deep wide mouthed, thin-walled, cylindrical vessel with a pouring lip used to
measure large quantities of liquid; can also be used to store or contain liquid mixtures.
 Test tubes - a small glass-tube shaped container that is closed and round at the bottom
with open end used to mix, heat and store small amount of liquids and substances.
 Reagent bottles - a vessel used to contain chemicals that are mixed or added with other
substances to bring about chemical reactions to form new substances or compounds.
 Watch glass - a shallow round crystal or glass dish used to hold small amounts of
substances to be tested for a reaction
 Evaporating dish – a shallow heat resistant porcelain dish in which a solution is heated
and allowed to evaporate leaving a residue on its plate
 Medicine dropper - a small glass or plastic tube with rubber bulb at one end that is used
to suck up liquid and release it to one drop at a time
 Tongs and test tube holder – used to handle glassware
 Erlenmeyer flask - a cone-shaped vessel with a narrow flat bottom used to measure
large amount of liquid
 Magnet – used to test the attracting property of objects.
 Other tools such as prism, plane and spherical mirrors, lenses, voltmeters, ammeters and
pH meters are in used for specific purpose:
Lenses - to magnify objects and demonstrate refraction of light

Prism - to separate white light into its component colors
Mirrors - to demonstrate reflections
Voltmeters - to measure voltage
Ammeters - to measure current
pH meters - to measure the acidity and alkalinity of a solution
Laboratory Safety Precautions and Symbols:
One of the first things one learns is that working in the laboratory can be an
exciting experience. But the laboratory can be quite dangerous if proper safety
rules are not followed. The following are the safety rules/ precautions and
symbols in a science laboratory.
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GLASSWARE DISPOSAL
SAFETY
Never use broken or chipped glassware.

Use separate, designated containers (not the
Never heat glassware that is not thoroughly wastebasket) for the following:
dry. Do not immerse hot glassware in cold
water. The glassware may shatter. • Matches, litmus paper, wooden splints,
To cut small-diameter glass tubing, use a file to • Broken and waste glass
make a deep scratch. Wrap the tubing in a
paper towel before breaking the glass away • Rags, paper towels, or other absorbent
from you with your thumbs. materials used in the cleanup of flammable
solids or liquids
Never handle broken glass with bare
hands; use a counter brush and dustpan. • Hazardous/toxic liquids and solids
Carefully twist (never push) glass tubing into Dispose of all chemical waste properly. Never
stopper holes. mix chemicals in sink drains. Sinks are to be
used only for water.
TOXIC RADIOACTIVE
Poisonous substances that can be acquired Radioactive substances such as uranium and
through skin absorption, plutonium; isotopes must be kept at their
inhalation, or ingestion. designated storage point.
When diluting acids, always pour acids into Solid contaminants or radioactive waste MUST
water, never the reverse. Combine the liquids only be disposed in a designated bin.
slowly while stirring to distribute heat buildup
throughout the mixture.
FLAMMABLE CORROSIVE
Combustible materials may ignite if exposed to Substances: (acids like vinegar and hydrochloric
an open flame or spark acid, bases like hydrogen peroxide; sodium
hydroxide, soap) that can react with and destroy
Use burners with extreme caution. Keep your tissue and other materials.
head and clothing away from the flame and
turn it off when not in use. Safety goggles must be worn during hazardous
activities involving caustic/corrosive chemicals,
Be sure no volatile materials (such as alcohol heating of liquids, and other activities that may
or acetone) are being used nearby. injure
The eyes.
Use a fire blanket (stop, drop, and roll) to
extinguish any flame on a person.
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HYGIENE FUME
Always wash your hands after completing an Potential danger to olfactory tract from fumes:
experiment.
Make sure there is good ventilation and never
Keep hands away from face, eyes, and clothes smell fumes directly.
while using solutions, specimens, equipment,
or materials. Test for odor of chemicals only by waving your
hand above the container and sniffing cautiously
Wash hands as necessary and wash from a distance.
thoroughly at the conclusion of the laboratory
period.
EXTREME ELECTRICAL
HEAT
Objects that can burn skin by being too cold or Operate electrical equipment only in a dry area
too hot and with dry hands.
To treat a burn from an acid or alkali, wash the When removing an electrical plug from its
affected area immediately with plenty of socket, pull the plug, not the electrical cord.
running water.
If the eye is involved, irrigate it at the eyewash

station without interruption for 15 minutes.
ANIMAL SAFETY
Treat all animals humanely; with respect and consideration for their care. Do not cause pain,
discomfort or injury to an animal. Follow directions on the proper care of animals.
MEASUREMENT:
 Measurement is process of comparing a known quantity like measuring device to an

unknown quantity, things, or objects to be measured. It is the process of determining how
many times a certain quantity is contained in a standard measuring device.
 The scientific system of measurement is called the metric system. The metric system is
often referred to as the International System of Units, or SI. Metric is the universal
language for measurement. It is based on units of ten
The Table Of Prefixes
Prefix Symbol Powers Of Ten Example

Deci d 0.1 =10-1 decimeter, dm
Centi c 0.01 =10-2 centimeter, cm
Milli m 0.001 =10-3 milligram, mg
Micro  0.000001 =10-6 microgram, g
Nano n 0.000000001 =10-9 nanometer, nm
Deka da 101 = 10 dekagram, dag
Hecto h 102 = 100 hectometer, hm
Kilo k 103 = 1,000 kilogram, kg
Mega M 106 = 1,000,000 Megagram, Mg
Giga G 109 = 1,000,000,000 Gigameter, Gm
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 Below are the common metric units:
Length Mass
1 meter, m = 100 centimeters, cm 1 kilogram, kg = 1,000 grams, g
1 meter, m = 1000 millimeters, mm 1 gram, g = 1,000 milligrams, mg
1 meter, m = 1,000,000 micrometers, m 1,000 kilograms, kg = 1 metric ton
1 meter, m = 1,000,000,000 nanometers, nm
1 meter, m = 10,000,000,000 Angstrom, 
1,000 meters, m = 1 kilometer
Volume Temperature
1 Liter, L = 1,000 milliliters, mL C = 5/9(F – 32) or C = (F – 32)/ 1.8
1 Liter, L = 1,000 cubic centimeter, cc F = 9/5(C) +32 or F = 1.8(C) +32
Kelvin, K = C + 273
 Metric – English Equivalents
Metric English
2.54 centimeter, cm 1 inch , in.
1 meter, m 39.37 inches, in.
1 kilometer, km 0.62 miles, mi
1 Liter, L 1.06 quartz, qt.
250 milliliter, mL 1 cup, c
1 kilogram, kg 2.2 pounds, lb.
28.3 grams, g 1 ounce, oz.
1 meter, m 3.28 feet, ft
90 centimeters, cm 1 yard, yd.
3.79 Liters, L 1 gallon, gal.
 SCIENTIFIC NOTATION is a compact, simplest and easiest way of writing down very
small and very large numbers using powers of ten or in exponential notation. The
exponent tells the number of times the decimal point is moved from its original place to
right or from the original place to the left. The exponent is NEGATIVE if the decimal point
is moved from left to right and POSITIVE if it is moved from right to left.
Example:
1. 4,000,000 = 4.0 x 106
2. 532,000,000 = 5.32 x 108
3. 0.000000045 = 4.5 x 10-8
4. 0.0032 = 3.2 x 10-3
Rules:
 To add and subtract numbers expressed in powers of ten, simply copy the
common exponent and proceed as to addition or subtraction of the coefficients.
Add:
(1.3 x 102) + (2.4 x 102) = 3.7 x 102

(4.0 x 103) – (2.3 x 102) = 1.7 x 102
(5.2 x 105) + (1.3 x 104) =
(If the exponents are not the same, make them first the same before adding or
subtracting and copy the common exponent)
(5.2 x 105) + (0.13 x105) = 5.33 x 105
 To multiply numbers expressed in powers of ten add the exponent. If the

exponents are of different signs meaning one is positive and the other one is
negative, add them algebraically by subtracting the smaller number form the
larger number and copy the sign of the larger number.
(2.5 x 105)  (4.3 x 103) = 10.75 x 108

= 1.075 x 108+1
= 1.075 x 109
(2.5 x 105)  (4.3 x 10-3) = 10.75 x 102 = 1.075 x 103
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(2.5 x 10-5)  (4.3 x 103) = 10.75 x 10-2 = 1.075 x 10-1

Final answer should be expressed in standard form. M.N x 10 n
 To divide numbers expressed in powers of ten, subtract the exponent. If the

exponents are of different signs meaning one is positive and the other one is
negative, change the sign of the number to be subtracted an then proceed as in
addition.
(4.3 x 105)  1.72 x 105 – 3 = 1.72 x 102

(2.5 x103)
(4.3 x 10-5)  1.72 x 10-5 – 3 = 1.72 x 10-8

(2.5 x103)
(4.3 x 105)  1.72 x 10-5 – 3 = 1.72 x 10-8

(2.5 x10-3)
Sample Exercises on Conversion of Unit:
1. Convert 75 millimeters, mm to its corresponding length in

(a) meters (b) centimeters, (c) kilometers
Solution:
75 mm x 1 m /1,000 mm = 75 m/1000 = 0.075 m
0.075 m x 100 cm/ 1 m = 0.075 x 100 cm = 7.5 cm
7.5 cm x 1 km / 1000 m x 1 m / 100 cm = 7.5 km /100,000 = 0.000075 km
2. Change 430 milligrams to grams
From the Table of Prefixes , milli = 10-3
Change the Powers to Ten to a prefix . 430 x 10 -3 grams
By the use of scientific notation, it would be 4.30 x 10 2 x 10-3
The final answer is 4.30 x 10-1

3. 5 gallons of mineral is equivalent to how many liters?
5 gallons x 3.79 Liters / gallon = 18.95 liters
4. 2 x 109 bytes is equal to 2 Gigabytes or 20 Gb
5. The normal body temperature is 37C. What is its equivalent is F and K?
Formula: C = 5/9(F – 32) or C = (F – 32)/ 1.8

F = 9/5(C) +32 or F = 1.8(C) +32
Kelvin, K = C + 273
Solution: F = 9/5(37C) +32

= 1.8 (37C) + 32
= 66.6 + 32
= 98.6 F
K = C + 273
= 37C + 273
= 310 K
98F is equal to ____C C = 5/9(F – 32) or C = (F – 32)/ 1.8

C = 5/9(98 – 32) or C = (98 – 32)/ 1.8
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= 66 / 1.8
= 36.67 C
 Accuracy and Precision:
Accuracy is a degree of agreement between a measured value and the true value
Precision is the degree of the instrument’s exactness.
 Significant figures – are the number of digits or figures that best represent the value of
a measurement.
Rules in determining the Number of Significant Figures:
 All non-zero digits are significant. (1, 2, 3, 4 , 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
 All zeros in between two non-zero digits are significant. 2804

has four (4) significant figures.
 All zeros to the right of a decimal point but to the left of a non-
zero digit are NOT significant. 0.0003068 has four (4) significant figures
 All zeros to the right of non-zero digit without an expressed

decimal point following it are NOT significant. 406,000 has three (3)
significant figures, but 406,000. has six (6) significant figures.
Observations are usually written down, or recorded in tables, graphs, or charts. They are used
to present facts in visual form. They help keep data organized and easy to understand. This
organized information can then be used to draw conclusions or make decisions.
Graphs can be used to illustrate many types of data and may be drawn as a line graph, a bar or a
pie graph. They should be used to make facts clearer and more understandable. Different types
of graphs are appropriate for different experiments. These are just a few of the possible types of
graphs:
A bar graph might be appropriate for comparing different trials or different experimental groups. It
also may be a good choice if your independent variable is not numerical.
Pie graph
are used to represent a part to whole relationship. They are good illustrations when considering
how many parts of a whole are designed.
Most scientific graphs are made as

line graphs to show relationship
between two variables: the
relationship between your
dependent and independent
variables when both are numerical
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and the dependent variable is a function of the independent variable.
The graphs are usually drawn either straight or curved. These "smoothed" lines do not have to
touch all the data points, but they should at least get close to most of them. They are called best-
fit lines.
Best fit line
 The two kinds of variables are the:
dependent variables plotted on the Y-axis or the ordinate;
independent variables plotted on the X-axis or the abscissa.
A graph must have the following:
 Title - Ex. Distance – Time

 Labels of the Axes (Y and the X axes)
 Grid value
The SLOPE of the line in a graph describes its steepness. Slope = Y/X
 TYPES OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VARIABLES:
 Direct relationships – the variables change together. When the dependent variable
increases, the independent variable increases at the same rate. Or when one
decreases, the other variables also decrease at the same rate. The line graph is a
straight line.
Y
If the slope or the quotient of the
two variables is equal to a
constant, then it is a direct
variation, k = Y/X
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Y = Y2 – Y1
X = X2 – X1
X
 Inverse Relationships - when one variable increases, the other one decreases.
The line graph is a hyperbola. The product of the two variables is equal to a
constant, K = XY.
The line graph is a hyperbola. Y
 Direct-Square Relationships:
When Y varies directly with the square of X, then it is a direct square relationship.
K = Y/X2.
Y Y
The line graph is a parabola.
This relationship
happens when one
variable increases
In addition to drawing graphs,
faster thanit the
is important
other. to interpret data that is represented
X in graph form. X2
Let us consider the following examples:
1. Identify the graph that matches each of the following stories:
a. I had just left home when I realized I

had forgotten my books so I went back
to pick them up. (iii)
b. Things went fine until I had a flat tire.
(iv)
c. I started out calmly, but sped up when I
realized I was going to be late. (i)
2. The graph at the right represents the typical

day of a teenager. Answer these questions:
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a. What percent of the day is spent watching TV? (13%)

b. How many hours are spent sleeping? (8 hours)
c. What activity takes up the least amount of time? (studying)
d. What activity takes up a quarter of the day? (going to school)
e. What two activities take up 50% of the day? (sleeping & talking on the phone)
f. What two activities take up 25% of the day? (eating & talking on the phone)
3. If the size of the map is increased so that its length and its width double, what is the scale?
a. 1 cm = 1.05 km
b. 2 cm = 1.05 km
c. 1 cm = 2.10 km Vigan
d. 1 cm = 4.20 km B
* If the map increases, the lengths change,
but the distance represented doesn't change. Bicol
A
C
Mindoro
Key:
1 cm = 1.05 km
PART II – ANALYZING TEST ITEMS

1. Which of the following is most true?
A. Scientists cannot make errors.
B. A stated hypothesis is always correct.
C. Empirical evidence will not support hypotheses.
D. The progress of science is determined by what kinds of questions are asked.
Answer: D - The goal of science is to understand the world around us and what
distinguishes science from the other fields of study is the way in which it seeks
answers to questions. In the process, a hypothesis (tentative answer) is stated.
Empirical evidences are gathered that may either support or reject the
hypothesis.
2. To measure the mass of an irregular solid, water displacement is used. What apparatus
will you use?
A. Empty beaker C. Graduated cylinder
B. Graduated cylinder with water D. Metric ruler
Answer: C - A rise in the level of liquid marks the volume of the irregular solids. The
difference in the water level is equal to the volume of solid. The water level in
graduated cylinder is 48 mL. A piece of stone was dropped into it and the water
level rose to 62 mL. What is the volume of the stone?
The volume of the stone is 62 mL – 48 mL = 14 mL or 14 cc or 14 cm3
An empty beaker and graduated cylinder measure volume of a liquid alone

A metric ruler measures the length of an object
3. Which of the following describes a measurement of 2.07 m if the actual length of object is
2.04 m?
A. Accurate and precise C. Neither accurate nor precise
B. Precise but not accurate D. Accurate but not precise
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Answer: D - Precision describes the exactness of a measurement.

Accuracy compares a measurement to the actual value.
4. The graph relates velocity (v) and time (t) of four cars (1, 2, 3, and 4) traveling along a
straight highway. Which two cars move with zero acceleration?
A. 1 and 4 (2)
B. 2 and 3 v
C. 1 and 2 (1)
D. 3 and 4
(3)
(4) t
Answer: B – the horizontal straight line graphs shows no change in velocity while the
diagonal straight line graphs for cars 1 and 4 show an increasing and decreasing
acceleration, respectively
5. To graph the temperature change of a cup of sand sitting in the sun, what is the dependent
variable? Where should it be plotted on a line graph?
A. Time of day, x- axis C. Temperature of the sand, x- axis

B. Time of day, y- axis D. Temperature of the sand, y- axis
Answer: D – temperature of the sand is dependent on the time of day and in a line graph
the dependent variable is drawn on the y-axis while the independent variable
(time of day) is drawn on the x-axis
6. How is a hypothesis tested?

A. By using the hypothesis to make predictions about science.
B. By comparing observations in nature with predictions.
C. By making a new hypothesis.
D. All of the above.
7. Which of the following is NOT a fundamental quantity?

A. mass. B. force C. length D. temperature
8. A certain lot measures 7m x 8 m, what is its lot area?

A. 40 m2 B. 46 m2 C. 54 m2 D. 56 m2
9. What is the angle that the nitrogen section makes on the graph?
A. 66° C. 234o
o
B. 79 D. 281o
10. A can of coke-zero sinks in water and an identical can of coke-classic floats. Which
property of matter accounts for this?
A. Can size B. Density C. Mass D. Volume
11. Using correct significant digits, what is 5.21 kg x 3.2 kg equal to?
A. 16 kg B. 16.6 kg C.17 kg D. 17.1
12. Whenever you deal with electrical safety in the laboratory, which of the following
statement is NOT correct?
14
________________________________________________________________________________________________
_
A. Never use extension cords to plug any electrical device.

B. Always touch an electrical device with wet and clean hands.
C. Never plug too many electrical devices in only one outlet.
D. Always use extension cords with multiple sockets.
13. What is the volume of a 4 cm x 4 cm x 4cm cube in mL ?

A. 0.64 mL B. 6.4 mL C. 64 mL D. 640 mL
14. Why are steam burns are more damaging than burns caused by boiling water?
A. Steam is vapor of water molecules during boiling.
B. Steam occupies more space than water during boiling.
C. Steam has more energy per kilogram than boiling water.
D. Steam has a higher temperature than boiling water.
15. Scientists investigated that other stalky vegetables such as carrots also help lower blood
pressure. This statement is BEST classified as a/an:
A. Experiment C. Finding
B. Fact D. Prediction
16. A time-tested concept that makes useful and dependable predictions about the world is
called a (an) _________.
A. discovery C. hypothesis
B. theory D. investigation
17. You mix 28.65 g of Solid A with 93.2 g of Solid B. What is the mass of the mixture using
correct significant digits?
A. 121.85 g B. 121.8 g C. 122 D. 121.9 g
18. What is the basis for System Internationale units of measurement?

A. Inches C. Power of ten
B. Power of five D. English units
19. The product of (2 x 103) and (3 x 103) is

A. 6 x 101 C. 6 x 104
3
B. 6 x 10 D. 6 x 106
Refer to the graph for questions 20 – 22
20. Which line represents the fastest speed? km

A. AB C. CD
B. BC D. DE
21. How many kilometers were traveled in the

first three hours of the trip?
A. 20 km C. 40 km
B. 30 km D. 50 km
22. What is the motion of the car between 5 –

12 hours?
A. at rest
B. 7 km/hr
C. 60 km/hr
D. constantly moving at 12 km/hr
23. Which of the following equations does not

show a direct relationship?
A. A = kB B. k = AB C. k = A/B D. A  B
24. Which of the following statements is TRUE about a scientific method?

A. When results of an experiment do not fit the hypothesis, a scientist may ethically
discard the results and repeat the experiment.
15
________________________________________________________________________________________________
_
B. The scientific method is a continuous process by which people learn about the
physical universe.
C. Scientists report the experimental results, but not the experimental design to their
competition.
D. People structure their lives on the principles of scientific method.
25. What is an attempt to explain a pattern observed repeatedly in nature called?

A. Opinion C. Scientific theory
B. Prediction D. Scientific fact

PART III – ENHANCING TEST TAKING SKILLS
1. In nature, if one variable decreases as another variable increases, how is the relationship
between variables described?
A. Proportional C. Directly proportional
B. Inversely proportional D. Inverse square proportional
2. Science can be differentiated from non-science because scientific results ____________.

A. are repeatable C. are based on single events
B. are formed from opinions D. always take place in a laboratory
3. The current knowledge concerning the atom is the result of the investigations and
observations of many scientists. The work of these scientists forms a well-accepted body
of knowledge about atoms. This body of knowledge is an example of a
________________.
A. theory C. research plan
B. hypothesis D. controlled experiment
4. Which of the following means to make an inference?

A. Make a guess C. Communicate findings
B. Draw a conclusion D. Make an observation
5. If the relationship between your height and your age were a simple direct proportion, what
would be the shape of the line graph of height (H) versus age (A)?
A. C.
H H
A A
B. D.
H
H
A A
6. Which of the following is the best description of a scientific law?

A. It is enforced by nature and cannot be violated.
B. It is the exact report of the observations of scientists.
C. It is the theoretical explanation of natural phenomenon.
D. It is the generalized statement of relationships among natural phenomenon.
7. Using a test tube, you are asked to boil about 10 mL of water. What is the proper way of
holding the test tube when you are working with a partner inside a laboratory?
A. Hold the test tube towards you.
B. Keep the test tube away from your partner.
C. Hold the test tube directly above the flame.
D. Face the test tube to your partner while heating.
8. Which of the following procedures correctly show how acids should be diluted?
16
________________________________________________________________________________________________
_
A. Pour acids into water, never the reverse.

B. Pour water into acids, never the reverse.
C. Pour either the acids or the water first while stirring.
D. Pour the acids and the water at the same time without stirring.
9. What should you do if your hypothesis is not supported?

A. Analyze your data C. Change the hypothesis
B. Repeat the experiment D. Communicate your results
10. Which of the following is NOT in the group of apparatus that are used in storing liquids?
A. Reagent bottle C. Florence flask
B. Beaker D. Graduated cylinder
11. All of the following are derived quantities EXCEPT ___________.

A. work C. weight
B. energy D. luminous intensity
12. Much of the United States resists changing to SI. However some units are in use. Which
of the following is probably not familiar to most people?
A. Buying soft drinks in 1.5 L bottles.

B. Purchasing shoes in centimeters.
C. Taking medicines prescribed in milligrams.
D. Watching Olympic athletes run 100-m dashes.
13. Which of the following properties is measured in a derived SI unit?

A. Width of a gift box.
B. Mass of a spacecraft.
C. Volume of a refrigerator.
D. Amps of current drawn by a stereo receiver.
14. The number 7.93 x 10-3 can also be written as __________.

A. 0.0793 C. 0.000793
B. 0.00793 D. 0.0000793
15. Billy is baking a cake and the recipe calls for some milk. Which of the following units
should he use to measure the milk?
A. Grams C. Milliliters
B. Decimeters D. Milligrams
16. How many meters are in 186.7 km?

A. 0.1867 m C. C. 18 670 m
B. 18.67 m D. 186 700 m
17. Lyka wants to track her science test scores over the course of the semester. Which of the
following will best allow her to analyze her progress?
A. Bar graph C. Pie graph
B. Line graph D. Scatter graph
18. How do a Celsius and a Fahrenheit degree compare?

A. Celsius degree is 5/9 of a Fahrenheit degree
B. Celsius degree is 9/5 of a Fahrenheit degree
C. Celsius degree is 9/10 of a Fahrenheit degree.
D. Celsius degree is 1/10 of a Fahrenheit degree
19. Earth's atmosphere is about 78 % nitrogen, 21 % oxygen, and 1 % other gases. Which
graph will best display these data?
A. Bar graph C. Pie graph
B. Line graph D. Scatter graph
17
________________________________________________________________________________________________
_
20. When doing an experiment like heating or anything that uses fire, what should you be
ready with?
A. A pail of water. C. A damp cloth.
B. A wet tissue paper. D. An apron.
21. A stick measures 400 cm. What is its length in kilometers?

A. 0.4 C. C. 0.004
B. 0.04 D. 0.0004
22. The number .00045700 has _____ significant figures.

A. 8 C. C. 6
B. 7 D. 5
23. Which variables are usually observed for change in an experiment?

A. Constants C. Dependent variables
B. Inferences D. Independent variables
24. What would a horizontal line in a position-time graph mean?

A. Changing position, constant velocity C. C. Changing position, increasing velocity
B. Constant position, constant velocity D. Constant position, zero velocity
25. The quotient of 66.0 x 105 and 3 x 108 is

A. 22 x 1013 C. C. 2.2 x 1013
-3
B. 22 x 10 D. 2.2 x 10-2
18

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SPECIALIZATION: PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Focus: Nature of Science

SPECIALIZATION: PHYSICAL SCIENCES

PART I – CONTENT UPDATE

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

The basic steps in the scientific method are:

 Gathering Information on The Problem – collecting important and relevant data or

Experimental variables: colors of light (red, blue, yellow, green)

One of the most important skills in science is observation.

Observing can include reading and studying what others

Data may also be qualitative or quantitative. Qualitative

Fundamental physical quantities are measured directly

Length, L - the distance between two distinct points.

Mass, m - the measure of the amount of material in an object.

Number of moles, n is the amount of substance expressed in moles (mol).

Temperature, T - the measure of the hotness or coldness of an object.

 Kelvin (K) / degree Celsius (0C) conversions:

 degree Fahrenheit (oF) / degree Celsius(0C) conversions:

Some baseline temperatures in the three temperature scales:

temperature kelvin Celsius Fahrenheit

Common temperature comparisons:

temperature Celsius Fahrenheit

boiling point of water 100 212

average human body temperature 37 98.6

average room temperature 20 - 25 68 - 77

melting point of ice 0. 32

 Weight, W is the amount of pull of gravity on an object. W = mg, where g is the

 Pressure, P - is a push or force against each unit area of an object’s surface.

Air pressure can be measured by using a barometer.

Liquid pressure can be measured using the formula

where h is the height of the liquid

 Instruments used in measuring mass:

 For Testing and Observation:

 Tongs and test tube holder – used to handle glassware

 Magnet – used to test the attracting property of objects.

Lenses - to magnify objects and demonstrate refraction of light

Laboratory Safety Precautions and Symbols:

Never use broken or chipped glassware.

If the eye is involved, irrigate it at the eyewash

 Measurement is process of comparing a known quantity like measuring device to an

The Table Of Prefixes

Prefix Symbol Powers Of Ten Example

 Below are the common metric units:

 Metric – English Equivalents

(1.3 x 102) + (2.4 x 102) = 3.7 x 102

(5.2 x 105) + (0.13 x105) = 5.33 x 105

 To multiply numbers expressed in powers of ten add the exponent. If the

(2.5 x 105)  (4.3 x 103) = 10.75 x 108

(2.5 x 105)  (4.3 x 10-3) = 10.75 x 102 = 1.075 x 103

(2.5 x 10-5)  (4.3 x 103) = 10.75 x 10-2 = 1.075 x 10-1

 To divide numbers expressed in powers of ten, subtract the exponent. If the

(4.3 x 105)  1.72 x 105 – 3 = 1.72 x 102

(4.3 x 10-5)  1.72 x 10-5 – 3 = 1.72 x 10-8

(4.3 x 105)  1.72 x 10-5 – 3 = 1.72 x 10-8

Sample Exercises on Conversion of Unit:

1. Convert 75 millimeters, mm to its corresponding length in

75 mm x 1 m /1,000 mm = 75 m/1000 = 0.075 m

0.075 m x 100 cm/ 1 m = 0.075 x 100 cm = 7.5 cm

7.5 cm x 1 km / 1000 m x 1 m / 100 cm = 7.5 km /100,000 = 0.000075 km

2. Change 430 milligrams to grams

From the Table of Prefixes , milli = 10-3

Change the Powers to Ten to a prefix . 430 x 10 -3 grams

By the use of scientific notation, it would be 4.30 x 10 2 x 10-3