Chapter 1: The Nature of Science

Physical Science

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Chapter 1: The Nature of Science

Key Ideas:

• How do scientists explore the world?

• How are the many types of science organized?

• What are the scientific theories, and how are they different for scientific laws?

The Nature of Science

I. How Science Takes Place

a. This means that experiments are done to explore the natural world, explain a phenomenon, to check another experiment’s results or test current theories.

b. An example of this is to experiment with cathode ray tubes and observe the rays produced by the flow of electrons.

A. Scientist answer questions by investigating.

a. This means that ask a question then investigate to find the answer

b. An example of this is when you wonder if rays could pass through a tube.

B. Scientists plan experiments

a. This means that your write a plan in your lab notebook

b. An example of this is write a hypothesis, outline the procedure, list equipment to use, and make a table to record data.

C. Scientist observe

a. This means that you observe the results of the lab.

b. An example of this is when you observe a light over a meter away.

D. Scientist always confirm results

a. This means that repeat experiments to be sure of the observations.

b. An example of this is Roentgen repeating cathode ray tube experiment and discovered x-rays.

II. The Branches of Science

a. This means that science is studying observing and experimenting to find the nature of things

b. An example of this is you can think science as having two main branches , which deal with individual and group human behavior , and natural science

A. The branches of science work together.

a. This means that classification of science seem very simple but the branches of science have become more mixed

b. An example of this is life science is biology , inside biology you have many branches such as botany and ecology, medicine, agriculture

B. Science and technology work together.

a. This means that technology is the application of science for practical uses

b. An example of this is engineers apply scientific knowledge and method to design products people use.

III. Scientific Laws and Theories

a. This means that theories explain why something happens and laws describe how something works

b. An example of this is people use the word theory in everyday use to refer to a guess

A. Experimental result support laws and theories.

a. This means that you support your experiments using laws and theories

b. An example of this is when you place a hot cooking po tin a cooler place, does the pot become hotter as it stands? No, it will always get coolers. This states that warm objects always become cooler

B. Mathematics can describe physical events.

a. this means that many scientific laws and theories can be stated as mathematical equations

b. an example of this is Rectanglle are equation A=l *w

C. Theories and laws are always being tested.

a. This means that theories and laws must be changed or replaced when new discoveries are made

b. Before heat was thought to be and invisible fluids called caloric, that flowed from a warm object to a cool one

D. Models can represent physical events.

a. This means that scientific model is a representation of an object or event that can be studied to understand the real object or event.

b. An example of this is chemists use models to study how water molecules form ice crystals, such as snowflakes

E. We use models in our everyday lives.

a. This means that computer model have many uses

b. An example of this meteorologist use it to help forecast the weather

The Way Science Works

Key Ideas:

• How can I think and act like a scientist?

• How do scientists measure things?

I. Science Skills

a. This means that identifying problems, planning experiments, recording observations, and correctly reporting data are some of most important science skills

b. An example of this is pouring liquid into a test tube without spilling it may be a usefull skill I the lab.

A. Critical thinking helps you solve problems logically.

a. this means that when you approach the problem asking questions, making observations, and using logic

b. an example of this is if you want to save some money and you are with a friend an both of you want popcorn would you buy two small ones or one big one ?

B. Scientist use scientific methods to solve problems

a. this means that scientific methods are general ways to help organize you thinking about questions

b. an example of this is when you open a door it makes noise so you gather data of why this is happening you form a hypothesis , a possible answer that you can test

C. Scientist test hypotheses

a. This means that scientist test a hypothesis by doing a controlled experiment.