Introduction toPhysical Science

Chemistry

Physics

Earth Science

Space Science

Mathematics

Pre-quiz 1

1. Name two characteristics of matter that are not shared by energy.

2. Which metric unit is used to measure each of the following? Metric units are the gram, the liter, and the meter.

a. Distanceb. Massc. Lengthd. Volume

3.How many grams are in a kilogram? How many centimeters are in a meter?

4. You have been given an index card and a ruler. Measure the length and width of the index card in centimeters.

5. In the scientific method, what is a hypothesis?

The Nature of Science

Objectives: Describe the main branches of natural science and

their relationships Describe the relationship between science and

technology Distinguish between scientific laws and scientific

theories Explain the roles of models and mathematics in

scientific theories and laws

Science is a process!!!

Investigate Plan Experiments- state the idea you are

going to test Observe

– Recorded observations are called data Test results

*Science starts with a question!

Example

Observation

Prediction

Experiment

Question

Hypothesis

Both poisonous coral snakes and nonpoisonous kingsnakes have red, yellow, and black rings.

What is the function of the kingsnakes’ mimicry of coral snakes?

Mimicry of coral snakes helps protect the kingsnake from predators.

If predators confuse kingsnakes with coral snakes, then predators should attack fewer ringed artificial snakes than brown artificial snakes.

Compare data on attacks on ringed versus brown artificial snakes.

Forming and testing a hypothesis

Hypothesis-is a suggested answer to a well-defined scientific question-an explanation on trial.– A hypothesis is often based on past experience or

knowledge gained from discovery science or other sources

Forming a hypothesis

A hypothesis allows you to make certain predictions. You can then test these predictions.

Predictions are written as an “If…, then …” statement.

An incorrect hypothesis doesn’t mean failure.– The hypothesis that led to the prediction may be wrong

Inquiry continues with tests of alternative hypotheses.

Observations and Data

Quantitative- recorded measurements, based on the metric system

Qualitative-data in the form of descriptions instead of measurements

What is science?

Science is:– Observing, studying, and experimenting to find

the nature of things.

Science- the knowledge obtained by observing natural events and conditions in order to discover facts and formulate laws or principles that can be verified or tested

Two main branches– Social science, individual and group human

behavior– Natural science, how “nature” or the “whole

universe” behaves

Natural science– Life science, physical science, earth science

Interconnectedness of branches of science

Natural Science

BiologicalScience of living things

Physical Science of matter and energy

EarthScience of Earth

Botany Zoology Physics chemistry Geology Meteorology

Science and technology

Pure science- learning more about the world, the continuing search for scientific knowledge

Technology- the application of science for practical purposes

Scientific Laws

Scientific Law- a summary of many experimental results and observations;

A law tells how things work. It allows predictions to be made about how a system will behave under a wide range of conditions.

Scientific Theory

Scientific Theory- an explanation for some phenomenon that is based on observation, experimentation, and reasoning

To be valid a theory must:– Explain observations clearly and consistently– Must be repeatable– One must be able to predict from the theory

Mathematics

Scientific laws and theories can be stated as mathematical equations, quantitative statements

Mathematics is the language of science, it is universal

A=l x w (Area of Rectangle) F=G(m1m2/d2) (Universal Gravity)

– Gravitational attraction is described as a force that varies depending on the mass of objects and the distance the separates them

Models

A “mental picture” or a set of rules that describes what something does.

Models are used to represent real situations and to make predictions.

The Way Science Works

Objectives– Understand how to use critical thinking skills to solve

problems– Describe the steps of the scientific method– Know some of the tools scientists use to investigate nature– Explain the objective of a consistent system of units, and

identify the SI units for length, mass, and time– Identify what each common SI prefix represents, and

convert measurements

Critical thinking

The ability and willingness to assess claims critically and to make judgments on the basis of objective and supported reasons

Scientific Method

A series of steps followed to solve problems including collecting data, formulating a hypothesis, testing the hypothesis, and stating conclusions.

*There is no single scientific method. It is a way of thinking critically about a question and testing possible answers to that question by collecting data and making unbiased observations.

Proper experimentation

Variable- a factor that changes in an experiment in order to test a hypothesis

Controlled experiment- all variables that can affect the outcome of the experiment are kept constant, or controlled, except for one.

Presenting results

When presenting results in a table, the independent variable is listed first, the dependent variable(s) next.

When we present our results in a graph, the independent variable is on the X axis, the dependent variable is on the Y axis.

Experiment example: we test three types of vinegars. Add 10 ml of vinegar to a test tube, and 2 grams of baking soda to each

1. 2. 3. 4.

1. White vinegar-positive control because we know it will fizz

2. Red wine vinegar

3. Cider vinegar

4. Water-negative control because we know it won’t fizz

Results

Vinegar Height of bubbles

White 7 cm

Red wine 4 cm

Cider 5 cm

Water 0 cm

Units of Measurement

Science requires accurate observations Mathematics is the universal language of

science International System of Units, (SI) SI units are used for consistency

Base Units

Quantity Unit Abbreviation

Length Meter m

Mass Kilogram kg

Time Second s

Temperature Kelvin K

Electric current Ampere A

Amount of substance

Mole mol

Luminous intensity

Candela cd

Prefixes for large measurements

Prefix Symbol Meaning Multiple of base units

kilo- k Thousand 1000

mega- M Million 1000000

giga- G Billion 1000000000

Prefixes used for small measurements

Prefix Symbol Meaning Multiple of base units

deci- d Tenth 0.1

centi- cm Hundredth 0.01

milli- m Thousandth 0.001

micro- μ Millionth 0.000001

nano- n Billionth .000000001

Converting to a smaller unit

Multiply measurement to get a larger number!!!

– Ex, convert 1.85m to cm1.85m x 100cm/1m =185cm

Converting to a larger unit

Divide the measurements to get a smaller number!!!– Ex, convert 185cm to m

185cm x 1m/100cm = 1.85m

Homework

Practice problems 1-8