why study physics?. god and man adam and eve were created in the image of god creation mandate...
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Why Study Physics?
Why Study Physics?
God and Man God and Man • Adam and Eve were
created in the image of God
• Creation Mandate (Genesis 1:26, 28)
God and Man God and Man • First Commandment:
Love God• Second Commandment:
Love your neighbor
The Fallen WorldThe Fallen World• The Curse affected all of
Creation• The universe began to
deteriorate• Human depravity
RedemptionRedemption• A promise from God• Spiritual redemption• Physical redemption• Physics is a tool for
exercising dominion
What is Physics? What is Physics?
Science can refer to any body of knowledge gained from observing the natural
world as well as to the activities involved in acquiring scientific
knowledge.
Nature of Science Nature of Science • Concerned with observable
phenomena• Models: representations of
reality• The goal of a model is
workability, not accuracy.
Models Models • Conceptual models
• Mathematical relationships
• Numerical computer models
• Dominion modeling
A Working Definition of Science
A Working Definition of Science
“Science is the collection of observations, inferences,
and models produced through a systematic study
of nature...
A Working Definition of Science
A Working Definition of Science
“for the purpose of enabling humans to exercise good and wise dominion over God’s world. The word science is also used...
A Working Definition of Science
A Working Definition of Science
“to refer to the methods that produce the observations, inferences, and models.”
Science and Faith Science and Faith • What is a worldview?
A perspective from which a person observes and
understands the world
Science and Faith Science and Faith • What is a paradigm?
A set of assumptions, concepts, values, beliefs,
and practices that controls the way a person perceives
some aspect of reality
Science and Faith Science and Faith • Naturalistic paradigm
• Uniformitarianism—the present is the key to the past
• Rejects God as the Creator of the universe
Science and Faith Science and Faith • Christian Worldview
• God created the world for His glory
• This world is fallen• God is redeeming this
world to Himself
Science and Faith Science and Faith • Biblical paradigm
• Creation by an all-powerful God
• Arises from the Christian worldview
Theory Theory
a general or specific model that attempts to account for a set of related observations or
phenomena
Hypothesis Hypothesis • a temporary explanation for
a phenomenon• a starting point for further
investigation• structured so that it can be
tested
Law Law
models or describes an observed relationship among
phenomena or properties under specified conditions
Laws describe what happens.
Theories explain why it happens.
Kinds of ScienceKinds of Science• Empirical science
• present-day observations and experiments
• also called operational science or dominion science
Kinds of ScienceKinds of Science• Historical science
• creates hypotheses and develops theories and laws pertaining to events in the unobservable past
• involves presuppositions
Physics encompasses things as small as atoms and as
immense as galaxies.
It is often subdivided into two general groups of
knowledge based on history.
Classical Physics Classical Physics • developed 1600-1900
• mechanics• electromagnetism• thermodynamics
Modern Physics Modern Physics • developed 1900 to present
• quantum mechanics• theories of relativity
Branches of Physics Branches of Physics • astrophysics• geophysics• biophysics• atmospheric physics
Branches of Physics Branches of Physics • nuclear and high energy
physics• applied physics• and much more!
Limitations of Science
Limitations of Science
Empirical science is limited to phenomena that can be
observed.
Limitations of Science
Limitations of Science
Because man’s knowledge is incomplete, science
changes.
Limitations of Science
Limitations of Science
Science has difficulty defining and explaining the
causes of natural phenomena.
Limitations of Science
Limitations of Science
Questions about man’s purpose and condition are beyond the realm of true
science.
How Do Physicists Work?
How Do Physicists Work?
Scientific Methodology
Scientific Methodology
Often called the “Scientific
Method”
Often called the “Scientific
Method”
Scientific QuestionsScientific Questions• the starting point for
scientific investigations• involve What, Where, How,
Why, or When• they may involve...
Scientific QuestionsScientific Questions• unexpected observations• patterns• predictions made by
theories• a need to solve a problem
or develop a new method
HypothesesHypotheses• a “tentative best guess” for
explaining observations• It must be reasonable.• It must be testable.• It should not contradict
established principles.
HypothesesHypotheses• It must explain all current
observations and predict new ones.
• It should be as simple as possible.
Observations Observations • how we test hypotheses• involve the five senses• produce data
Data Data • qualitative: descriptive• quantitative: involves
measurements with calibrated instruments• more objective
Sharing Scientific Knowledge
Sharing Scientific Knowledge
• reports are prepared• reviewed by peers• published in scientific
journals