CHAPTER 1:

INTRODUCTION TO
SCIENCE
 Understand that science is a part of everyday life
 Understand the steps in scientific investigation

 Knowing physical quantities

 Understand the concept of mass

 Understand the use of measuring tools

 Realise the important of standard units in everyday life

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1.1 Science is Part of Everyday Life
Science
 Science is a field of knowledge that relates to the world around us.
 Science can divided into 3 main branches.
i) Physics is the study of natural forces and energy.
ii) Chemistry is the study of chemical substances.
iii) Biology is the study of living things.

Natural Phenomena
 Natural phenomena are occurrences in nature involving living things and
non-living things.
 Examples of natural phenomena include:
a) Earthquakes
b) Volcanic eruptions
c) monsoons
d) Eclipses of the moon and the sun

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 Polarlicht Lighting Strikes

Spiral Galaxy NGC 4414 Midnight sun

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Plant species Animal species

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Importance of Science
 Through the science we get to know and understand the environment and
ourselves.
 A way thinking that can bring answer to the problems we face.
 Enables the development of new technologies to benefit mankind.

Uses and Benefits of Science

 Science has made great contributions towards mankind and made our live
more comfortably and longer
i) Science helps us to solve problems.
ii) Science helps us to make things quickly.
iii) Science helps us to make our work easier.
iv) Science helps us to enjoy our leisure.
v) Science makes communication easy.
vi) Science helps us to maintain good health.

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Nuclear Plant

Invention of printing press

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Robotic Computer

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1.2 Science Laboratory
Hazardous Substances
 Common Hazard Warning Symbols:~

Flammable
 Burns easily
 Examples: Alcohol, petrol, kerosene and ether

Corrosive
 May destroy living tissues on contact with them
 Examples: Bromine, concentrated acids and
alkalis

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Poisonous
 Can cause harm or death if in contact with skin,
swallowed or inhaled
 Examples: Mercury and bromine

Irritant
 Can cause rashes and discomfort to the body
 Examples: Bromine, sulphur dioxide and ammonia

Radioactive
 Release radiation
 Examples: Uranium, radium and plutonium

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Biohazard
 biological substances that pose a threat to the health
of living organisms
 Example: medical waste or samples of a
microorganism, virus or toxin

Explosive
 Explodes easily
 Examples: Sodium and potassium

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1.3 Steps in a Scientific Investigation
Identifying the problem

Suggesting a hypothesis

Identifying the variables

Carrying out the experiment

Recording and presenting data

Analysing and Interpreting data

Forming a conclusion

Results support Results do not support

hypothesis hypothesis

Hypothesis accepted,
Hypothesis rejected,
suggest further ideas for
create new hypothesis
testing

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i) Identifying problems
What the scientist wants to find out is written down as a question.
ii) Suggesting a hypothesis
The scientist makes a smart guess in suggesting an explanation for the
problem.
iii) Identifying the variables
Three type of variables is influences the result of an experiment:~
a) Constant variables
b) Manipulated variable (independent variable)
c) Responding variable (dependent variable)
iv) Carrying out an experiment
The scientist has to plan and carry out an experiment to test his hypothesis.
v) Collecting data
The scientist records his observations or results of his experiment
accurately.
vi) Analysing and interpretating data
The scientist then examines his results from the experiment and tries to
explain them.

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vii) Forming a conclusion
In this step, the scientist has to be honest and fair to write down a general
statement which is supported by his results.
viii)Writing a report
The scientist writes up a report of this work so that other scientist can
present their views.

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1.4 Physical Quantities
 A physical quantity is a quantity that can be measured.
Examples: Speed, length, time and etc.
 SI units accepted by all country. Its benefits are simplified trade between
countries, easier exchange or transfer technology & communication.

Base quantity (Symbol) SI Unit (Symbol)

Length ( l ) Meter ( m )
Mass ( m ) Kilogram ( kg )
Time ( t ) Second ( s )
Temperature ( θ ) Kelvin ( K )
Electric current ( I ) Ampere ( A )
Luminous intensity ( Iv ) Candela ( cd )
Amount of substance ( n ) Mole ( mol )
Table 1: Base quantity and SI units.

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 Example:

Length = 10 m

Physical
quantity Value Unit

Temperature =

 All units of measurement have been standardised throughout the world

since 1960.
 Early Egyptians used different parts of the body as units of measurement
because there were the most convenient and easy to understand.

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Symbol and value of symbols used for Prefixes
 Prefixes used in measurements include mega, kilo, centi, mili and micro.
 Symbols for prefixes are signs that state or identify each prefix.
 Values in science are usually written in standard form, i.e using a number to
the power of 10.
 The aim of writing a value in standard form is to make it easier to record the
readings that are very big or very small.

Example 1:
Change the values of the physical quantities below to the standard form,
and to prefix form.
a) 5000 g to kg

5000 g = = 5 kg

Value of In In prefix
physical standard form
quantity form

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b) 0.00963 m to mm

0.00963 = = 9.63 mm

Value of In In prefix
physical standard form
quantity form

Example 2:
Change the values of the physical quantities below to the standard form,
and to prefix form.
a) 7.6 μg to g
=

In
In prefix
standard
form
form

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Prefix Abbreviation Numerical Value Multiples
Tera- T 1,000,000,000,000 1012
Giga- G 1,000,000,000 109
Mega- M 1,000,000 106
Kilo- k 1,000 103
Hecto- h 100 102
Deca- da 10 101
meter m 1 1
Deci- d 0.1 10-1
Centi- c 0.01 10-2
Mili- m 0.001 10-3
Micro- μ 0.000 001 10-6
Nano- n 0.000 000 001 10-9
Pico- p 0.000 000 000 001 10-12
Femto- f 0.000 000 000 000 001 10-15
Table 2: Prefixes, symbols and the multiples

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1.5 Concept of Mass
Concept of weight
 The weight of an object is the pull of the force of gravity of the Earth on it.
 The S.I unit for measuring weight is the Newton (N).
 The weight of an object can be measured by means of a newton spring
balance or a compression spring balance.

Newton Spring Balance Compression Balance

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Concept of Mass
 The mass of an object is the quantity of matter that is present in the object.
 The mass of an object is fixed although may be moved to different places.
 Mass is different from weight. The mass of an object is not influenced by the
force of gravitational pull.
 The SI unit for the mass is kilogram (kg). Other units for mass are
gram (g) and miligram (mg).

1 kg = 1000g
1g = 1000mg

Electronic Balance Electronic Balance

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Double Beam Balance Triple Beam Balance

Four Beam Balance Lever Balance

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 The main differences between mass and weight are given below:

Mass Different Weight

Quantity of matter The Earth's gravitational

contained in an object Definition pull on an object

Kilogram (kg) S.I Unit Newton (N)

Lever balance, triple beam Newton spring balance,

balance, Butchart balance, Measuring Tools compression spring
electronic balance balance

Weight of an object
Mass of an object does not Characteristic
changes from place to
change property
place

Differences Between Mass and Weight

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1.6 Use of Measuring Tools
Measurement of length
 Length is the distance between two points.
 Length is usually measured in units of kilometers (km), meters (m),
centimeters (cm) and milimeter (mm).
1 cm = 10 mm
1m = 100 cm
1 km = 1000 m

Measurement the length of a straight line

Using a ruler
 The length of a straight line of a straight object can be measured with a
meter ruler.

Method:
a) Place the ruler as near as possible to the point that to be measured.
b) The eye must be vertically above the mark that is to be read. At this
position, a mark accurate reading can be obtained.

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Example:
First reading for length = 4.5 cm
Second reading for the length = 4.4 cm
Third reading of the length = 4.6 cm
Total length = 13.5 cm
Average length = 13.5 cm
3
= 4.5 cm (0.045 m or 45 mm)

Measurement of a straight line

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Using a measuring tape
 A tape is used for measuring lengths of several meters.

Measuring Tape

Measurement the length of a curved line

Using thread and ruler
 A length of thread and a ruler are used to measure the length of a curved
line.

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Example:
First reading for length = 5.5 cm
Second reading for the length = 5.4 cm
Third reading of the length = 5.6 cm
Total length = 16.5 cm
Average length = 16.5 cm
3
= 5.5 cm (0.055 m or 55 mm)

Measurement of a curved line

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Measuring the diameter of an object
Internal diameter of a container
 The internal diameter of a container, like a cup or boiling tube can be
measured using a pair of internal calipers and a ruler.

Example:

Internal diameter of the beaker = 3 cm

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External diameter of a container
 The internal diameter of a container can be measured using a pair of
external calipers and a ruler.

Example:

External diameter of the beaker = 3 cm

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 Diameter of a spherical object

 The diameter of a spherical object

can be measured with:
a) two wooden block and a ruler.
b) two set squares and a ruler.

Diameter of sphere (e.g. a ball-bearing) = 1.0 cm

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Vernier calipers
 Vernier calipers can be used to measure small distances or short objects
accurately.
 The internal jaws and external jaws are used to measure the internal and
external diameter of a container.
 This instrument gives readings with an accuracy of up to 0.01 cm (2 decimal
places).
 The vernier caliper has 2 scales, main: centimeter units, vernier: 9 mm.

Vernier Calipers

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 Example: To measure the internal diameter of a container.

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Example:

Reading of the internal diameter of the beaker from:

main scale = 4.6 cm
Vernier scale (fixed by main scale) = 0.03 cm
Therefore, internal diameter of the beaker = 4.6 cm + 0.03 cm
= 4.63 cm

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Micrometer screw gauge

 The micrometer screw gauge is used to measure short lengths:

a) thickness of paper,
b) the diameter of wire,
c) the thickness of hair, and etc.
 This instrument gives reading with an accuracy of 0.001 cm (3 decimal
places).

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Measuring the volume of liquids
 Volume is the total space occupied by an object.
 Volume is measured in liters (l), mililiters (ml), cubic meters (cm3 ) and
cubic centimeters (cm3).

1 ml = 1 cm3
1l = 1 000 ml
= 1 000 cm3

 Volume of a liquid is measured by using:~

i) Measuring cylinder
ii) Burette
iii) Pipette
iv) Measuring flask

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Measuring Cylinder
 Measuring cylinder is a glass vessel having its outside surface marked
(graduated) with units of volume in cubic centimeters.

Measuring Cylinder

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 A few precautions must be taken when measuring the volume of a liquid:

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 Correct eye level when reading volume of liquid

Correct eye level when reading volume of mercury

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Pipette

 The pipette is a glass with a bulb in its

center and a jet one end.
 The other end has a mark on it
indicating the fixed volume of liquid the
pipette can measure.
 Pipettes in laboratories are usually
used to measure volumes of liquid
accurately to 5, 15, 20, and 25ml.

Measurement of volume of
water using pipette

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Burette

 The burette is used to

deliver volumes of liquids
more accurately than a
graduated cylinder.
 Has a capacity of 50 cm3,
and is graduated from top
downwards.
 The volume of a liquid is
measured by taking the
difference between the
initial and the final reading.

Burette is used to measure a fixed volume

of liquid

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Volumetric Flask

 A volumetric flask is used to

measure a fixed volume of liquid.
 The neck has a mark on it
indicating the fixed volume of
liquid it can measure.
 To obtain the required fixed
volume stated on the flask, the
lower level of the meniscus must
reach the mark (except
mercury).

Volumetric Flask

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Measuring the volume of an irregular solids
 The volume of regular and irregular shaped can be determined using the
water displacement method.
 The irregular solid is placed into a cylinder of water, the volume water
displaced by the solid id the volume of the solid.

Water Displacement Method

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1.7 Important of Standard Units in Everyday Life
 Various units of measurement in use around the world:
Measurement Unit
Length inches, feet, yard, chain, mile, meter, kilometer
Area Inches2, feet2, yard2, mile2, acre
Volume Inches3, feet3, yard3, gallon
Mass or weight Pound, ounce, gram, kilogram, ton
Various Units of Measurement

British imperial System to metric System Metric System to British Imperial System
1 inch = 25.4 mm 1 m = 3.3 feet
1 foot = 0.305 m 1 km = 0.6 mile
1 to = 1016 kg 1 m2 = 10.8 feet2
1 gallon = 4.5 liter 1 g = 0.035 ounce
1 pound = 0.45 kg 1 kg = 1 katis
Relationship between British Imperial System Units and Metric System Units

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Importance of standard units
 Unit of length, mass, volume and area of the British Imperial System of
measurements are as follow:

Situations in the absence of standard units

Business between Accurate and precise

countries would be measurememtn
difficult. would be a problem.

Scientist around the world would have difficult in

comparing studies that have been carrried out.

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