The Nature of ScienceHello my future scientists!!!
What is science!?! Science is a way of
learning more about the natural world.
You use scientific thinking every day to make decisions like cooking, playing sports, riding a bike, etc.
Branches of ScienceLife Science
Life science is the study of living systems and the ways in which they interact.
Life scientist can study living organisms and how they interact.
Branches of ScienceEarth Science
Earth science is the study of earth systems and the systems in space.
It involves the study of nonliving things such as rocks, soil, clouds, rivers, oceans, planets, stars, meteors, black holes, weather, and climate systems.
Branches of Science.Physical science The study of matter and
energy is known as physical science.
There are two type of physical science: chemistry and physics. Chemistry is the study of matter
and the interactions of matter. Matter is anything that takes up
space and has mass. Physics is the study of energy and
it’s ability to change matter. Energy is the ability to cause change
in matter.
What is a system? A system is a collection of structures,
cycles and processes that relate to and interact with each other Parts of a system interact System are not only found in science… Example of a system: School (buildings,
chairs, teachers, students pencils, etc…)
Science and Technology Technology is the
practical use of science, or applied science as illustrated in the image.
In other words, the use of knowledge to solve practical problems
*Caption: Olympic swimsuits are examples of technology in science.
Scientific Theories
A scientific theory is an attempt to explain a pattern observed repeatedly in the natural world.
Theories in science are not guesses or opinions, they are observations and results from many investigations that can always change.
Scientific Laws
Scientific law is a rule that describes a pattern in nature.
An observation becomes a scientific law when if it’s been observed repeatedly.
The law stands until someone makes an observation that does not follow the law.
Scientific Method Scientific Method is a step by step list of
procedures to solve a scientific problem.
Scientific Method
1- Recognize the Problem Scientific problem is a question
that can be answered using scientific methods.
Observations: bits of information gathered with your senses.
Inference: a conclusion about an observation.
STOP!!!See “Observations and
Inference” PPT
Scientific Method
2- Form a Hypothesis Hypothesis: a statement/an
educated guess that can be tested.
Hypotheses are based on observations, research, and prior knowledge of a problem.
Scientific Methods3- Test Your Hypothesis
An experimental investigation is a series of carefully planned steps used to test a hypothesis.
Independent variable: the factor that changes in an experiment.
Dependent variable: the factor, or outcome, which will be measured in an experiment.
To test a variable, scientists often use constants. Constants: factors in an experiment that stay the same.
Control: a standard used for comparison.
STOP!!!!See “Identifying Variables” PPT!!!
Scientific Method
4- Analyze Your Data Data are collected during any
scientific study. Numeric values such as length,
volume, weight, or temperature. Observations that use adjectives and
phrases such as big, fast, green, bright, short, and weak.
Data must be recorded and studied.
Scientific Method5- Draw Conclusions and Communicate
Conclusion: a statement based on what is observed.
To make conclusions valid, the experiment must be repeated.
An important step in a scientific process is communicate the results of an investigation.
Reliability A science experiment should be replicable
(repeatable). The basis of science knowledge is in its
consistency and that means that the experiment should be reproducible. An experiment that is reliable should perform exactly the same way under the same conditions and produce similar results. If this experiment produces differently from the first trial then the results from the first trial can be considered an observation.
SAFETY!!!1. Never start without
your teacher2. Read directions 3. Fire/Electrical
Precautions4. Chemical Precautions5. Proper Equipment6. No Running, playing,
eating or throwing items
7. Clean up and dispose of items properly
Models in Science Physical models
Models you can see and touch
Computer models Models built with
computer software that can model events that can take a long time or take place too quickly
Idea models Describe how people
think of something in the natural world
Fig. Computer Model of DNA
Models in Science
Models make it easier to understand things that might be too difficult to observe directly Computer models can
show Earth moving, allow you to see things that are too small or to see situations that are too dangerous to show or impossible to show (like the ocean floor)
Measurements and Units Measurement is
the relationship of a physical quantity (such as a length or a mass) to a unit of measurement, (meter, kilogram, etc0
SI Base Units
SI Units
Derived Units
Conversions
Organizing Data Data Tables: easier to spot trends in the
data that can support or disprove a hypothesis.
Graphs
Line Graph: shows changes that occur in related variables.
The Independent (manipulated) variable is on the x-axis (horizontal axis).
The dependent (r) variable is on the y-axis (vertical axis).
Line Graph
Bar Graph Used to compare a set of
measurements, amounts, or changes.
Circle Graph A divided circle
that shows how a part or share of something relates to the whole.