Chapter 1

The Nature of Science

Section 1.1- What is Science?

• Science- way of learning more about the natural world that provides possible explanations to questions and involves using a collection of skills

SCIENCE IS ALL AROUND

US!

Asking Questions

• Scientists ask lots of questions – Examples:• What do things look like?• What is this made of?

*What are more examples of questions scientists ask?

• Some questions cannot be answered by science

Possible explanations • Science can answer a

question only with information available at the time

• With new info, scientists will look at old ideas and think of new explanations

Scientific Theories

• Scientific Theory- an attempt to explain a pattern observed repeatedly in the natural world

• Theories are not:– guesses– Opinions– Vague ideas

Scientific Theories

• ARE:– Testable – Well supported– Consistent with old theories and experimental

results– Adaptable to new information

Scientific Laws

• Scientific Laws- a rule that describes a pattern in nature

• For an observation to become a scientific law, it must be observed repeatedly

• Laws are always true

SCIENTIFIC LAWS

Laws vs. Theories

• A law does not explain the WHY or HOW • A law simply describes the pattern • Theories describe the WHY and HOW

LAWS VS. THEORIES

Examples

Categorize each of these as a LAW or a THEORY.1. Matter is not created or destroyed but only

changes its form.2. There is no difference in the taste of coffee

no matter what brand name.3. Energy can change its form but never is

created or destroyed. 4. The sun rises everyday because gravity keeps

Earth in orbit around the sun.

Checking for Understanding

• Exit Slip• What is the difference between a scientific

law and a scientific theory?• Write an example of each.

Systems in Science

• System- a collection of structures, cycles and processes that relate to and interact with each other

Systems in Science

• Scientists study many different systems• Examples:– How the human body works– How planets move around the sun

SYSTEMS

SYSTEMS

• System- a collection of structures, cycles and processes that relate to and interact with each other

• Systems are not found just in science• What are some examples?

SYSTEMS

• Your school is a system• Structures: school building, tables/chairs, your

teacher and principal• School day has cycles: bell schedule and school

calendar• Class has processes: when you take a test, your

teacher asks you to clear your desk except for a pencil. When test is over, your teacher collects your test and grades it

SYSTEMS

• All systems are made up of other systems• You are a part of your school• Your school is a part of a district

Branches of Science

• Science is divided into 3 main branches:• Life science• Earth Science• Physical Science

Life Science

• Life science- the study of living systems and the ways they interact

• Life science tries to answer questions like:– How do vaccines work?– How do vaccines prevent disease?

Life Science

• Life scientists study:– Living organisms– Where they live– And how they interact

Careers in Life Sciences

• Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists• Biologists, Veterinarians, Zookeepers, Farmers• What is a career in life science that you

would be interested in pursuing?

Earth Science

• Earth Science- The study of Earth systems and the systems in space

• Includes study of non living things like:– rocks– Soil– Oceans– Planets

Also includes weather and climate

Earth Science

• Careers:– Meteorologist– Geologist– Volcanologist

**Who knows some more examples?

Physical Science

• Physical Science- the study of matter and energy– Matter- anything that has mass and takes up

space– Energy- the ability to do work

Physical Science

• Divided into:– Chemistry– Physics• Chemistry- study of matter and its interactions• Physics- study of energy and its ability to change

matter

Physical Science• Careers:– Chemists– Physicists– Ultrasound and X-Ray Technicians

Science and Technology• Technology- the practical use of science or

applied science – Examples: • Solar Powered Cars• Ipads• What are some more examples of technology?

Checking for Understanding

• Briefly describe each branch of science– Earth Science– Physical Science– Life ScienceALSO, Give an example of a career in each branch.

1.2: Science in Action

• The Scientific Method– Investigations often follow a general pattern

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

• Scientific Method- A way to ask and answer specific scientific questions by making observations and doing experiments

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Steps of the Scientific Method

1. Ask a question2. Observe and gather info3. Write a Hypothesis 4. Experiment your Hypothesis5. Analyze your data6. Draw conclusions 7. Modify Hypothesis

Ask A Question

• What are you trying to learn?

QUESTIONS INSPIRE USTO LEARN ABOUT THE

WORLDAROUND US!

Make Observations

• Using the senses to gather information about an object

• Describing its:– Appearance– Texture– Sound– Taste

Collect Info

• Scientists:– Read books/research articles – Talk to other scientists

Hypothesis

• A reasonable and educated possible answer based on what you know and observe

HYPOTHESIS

Experimenting the Hypothesis

• A step wise procedure for proving the validity of the hypothesis

Analyze Data

• Record what occurred during the experiment– Aka “Data”

Analyze this!

Draw Conclusions

• Do your results support your hypothesis?– If not, scientists write a new hypothesis and

restart scientific method– If it was supported, they might test it again in a

different way to see if the same results occur

Check for Understanding

• Write the steps of the scientific method in order!

Experiments

• A controlled experiment involves changing one factor and observing its effect on another while keeping all other factors constant

Variables

• Variables- factors that can be changed in an experiment

• Independent variable- the variable that is changed

• Dependent variable- the variable that changes as a result of a change in the independent variable – Usually the one observed

Constants

• Constants- variables that are not changed in an experiment

LAB SAFETY

• Be organized, clean and act safely!• No disruptive or dangerous behavior!

Be Prepared!

• Pay attention to directions and understand them before starting experiment

Respect Equipment

• Use instruments carefully & the way they’re meant to be used

• Report broken materials to the teacher immediately

Hold up

• Wait until teacher says to begin experiment• Follow steps of procedure IN ORDER

Observe thoroughly

• Observe calmly and silently

Follow directions

• Follow all written and oral directions

Be safe!

• Protect my:– Eyes/face- wear safety goggles– Hands- gloves

– Follow any other safety instructions given by Ms. Mc

Record!

• Record observations, measurements and data in science composition notebook

Clean area

• Clean all materials and work area used in experiment

• Wash my hands

REPORT ACCIDENTS!

• IMMEDIATELY TELL TEACHER OF ANY:– ACCIDENT– DANGER– INJURY

NOTE:

• Failure to follow these rules will result in:– Being removed from lab– Losing credit for work in my absence

Models

• One way to test hypotheses• Model- any representation of an object or an

event used a tool to understand the natural world

Types of Models

• Physical • Computer• Idea

Physical Models

• Models that you can touch and see• Ex. Globe of Earth

Computer Models

• Built using computer software• Ex. Weather software used by meteorologists

Idea Models

• Models that are ideas/concepts that describes how someone thinks about something in the natural world– Ex. Albert Einstein- theory of relativity

Using Models

• Drawings• Maps• Recipes

Models

• Communicate- ideas/observations• Test predictions• Save $ and lives– Crash test dummies– Astronaut training

Limitations

• Sometimes change• Too large– ex. Solar system

Evaluating Scientific Explanation

• Critical thinking- combining what you already know w/ new facts that you are given to decide if you should agree with something

Data

• Info. Gathered during investigations– Descriptions, tables, graphs, drawings