PHYSICAL SCIENCE

What is Science?

WHAT IS SCIENCEScience is an ongoing process to learn

more about the world around us.Science is both the activity of “doing

science” and the body of ideas and theories we learn about.

WHAT IS SCIENCEThe goal of science is to: investigate and understand the

natural world, explain events in the natural

world, and use those explanations to

make useful predictions.

PHYSICAL SCIENCEPhysical science is a branch of

science that focuses on the nonliving parts of the world around you.

It deals with matter and energy

NATURE OF SCIENCECharacteristics of Science: Science

is…Empirical: based on data and observationsTentative: changes over time or with new

evidenceCreative: use imagination to form

explanationsSubjective: each person uses their

background knowledge and previous experiences

THINKING LIKE A SCIENTIST

Observation: the process of gathering information about events or processes in a careful, orderly wayUsually involves the sensesInformation collected is called data

THINKING LIKE A SCIENTIST

Qualitative data: descriptive, involve characteristics (or qualities) that can not usually be countedExample: hair color

Quantitative data: can be expressed by numbers, “quantity”Example: height

THINKING LIKE A SCIENTIST

Data gained through observations is used to make inferencesInference: a logical

interpretation based on prior knowledge or experience

TRICKY TRACKSPractice with Observation and Inference

What do you observe?

TRICKY TRACKS

What do you observe? What is going on?

TRICKY TRACKSInference: a logical interpretation

based on prior knowledge or experience

Did you make an inference about what is going on in these pictures? How is an inference different from an observation?

SCIENCE AS A WAY OF KNOWING

Science changes it is an ongoing process that involves asking questions, observing, making inferences, and testing ideas

Advances in technology influence the advancement of science

THE SCIENTIFIC METHODIt is a general procedure scientists use to

conduct an investigation It is a organized way to investigate

answers to scientific questions Scientific method cannot be used for every

study/experiment. Sometimes we are limited to making

observationsExample-field studies

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

1. Ask a Question. All scientific investigations start with

one or more questions.

-why?

-how?

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

2. Gather more information. Learn as much as you can about the subject. You can use…-experts,-internet (be careful!),-books,etc. to conduct research.

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

3. Form a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a statement that you can test.

Relates the manipulated variable and the responding variable. Can use a “If _______, then _________” form

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

4. Plan and conduct an experiment. Change (test) only one variable at a

time. All other variables are held constant.

Use a control group for a standard to compare experimental group(s) to.

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

5. Collect and analyze data. Determine what types of data you

need to collect. What sort of measurements do you need

to make?What things do you need to observe?

Organize your data into tables or charts!

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

6. Draw conclusions. Was the hypothesis supported or

rejected? Note: You cannot “prove” a hypothesis,

you can only “disprove” a hypothesis.

Discuss possible sources of error, experimental results.

VARIABLESWhat are variables?

The different factors in an experiment. Manipulated variables: The thing you

purposely change during an experiment. AKA independent variable

Responding variables: The thing that changes as an effect of the manipulated variable. AKA dependent variable

Controlled variables: The factors you keep constant (the same)

1. If a student chooses to not study, then they will earn a poor grade.

2. If you drink Gatorade before a soccer game, then you will score more goals.

3. If you increase the mechanical advantage of a pulley system used to move an object, then the input force becomes less.

independent variable

dependent variableindependent

variable

dependent variableindependent

variable

dependent variable

IDENTIFYING THE VARIABLES

PRACTICEYou wish to test whether “Gulp Alive” fish attractant helps you catch more bass while fishing on your favorite lake. To do this, you fish in your favorite bass spot with a black plastic worm. You fish for a half an hour and count how many fish you catch. After a half an hour, you switch to a replica of the first plastic worm, but this time you spray “Gulp Alive” on it. Fishing in the same spot with the same pole, line, and retrieve you count how many fish you catch in a half an hour. To your surprise, you do not notice an increase your catch

PRACTICEIdentify the following in the experiment below: I.V = D.V = Constants = Experimental Group = Control Group =

PRACTICEIdentify the following in the experiment below: I.V = Gulp Alive Spray D.V = Constants = Experimental Group = Control Group =

PRACTICEIdentify the following in the experiment below: I.V = Gulp Alive Spray D.V = Number of fish caught Constants = Experimental Group = Control Group =

PRACTICEIdentify the following in the experiment below: I.V = Gulp Alive Spray D.V = Number of fish caught Constants = Spot, line, pole, plastic worm Experimental Group = Control Group =

PRACTICEIdentify the following in the experiment below: I.V = Gulp Alive Spray D.V = Number of fish caught Constants = Spot, line, pole, plastic worm Experimental Group = Worm w/Gulp Alive Control Group =

PRACTICEIdentify the following in the experiment below: I.V = Gulp Alive Spray D.V = Number of fish caught Constants = Spot, line, pole, plastic worm Experimental Group = Worm w/Gulp Alive Control Group = Worm w/o Gulp Alive