Chapter 1 Chapter 1

The Nature of ScienceThe Nature of Science

I. How Science WorksI. How Science Works

ScienceScience – the process of trying to understand – the process of trying to understand the worldthe world

TechnologyTechnology – the use of knowledge gained – the use of knowledge gained through science to make new products or new through science to make new products or new tools people can use.tools people can use.

II. Scientific Problem SolvingII. Scientific Problem Solving

A. A. Scientific MethodScientific Method – step-by-step – step-by-step procedures of scientific problem solvingprocedures of scientific problem solving

B. Steps of the Scientific MethodB. Steps of the Scientific Method

1. Recognize the Problem1. Recognize the Problem

a) a) ObservationsObservations – bits of information you – bits of information you gather with your sensesgather with your senses

b) b) InferencesInferences – conclusions about – conclusions about observationsobservations

Link to Optical Illusions Worksheet

2.2. Form a HypothesisForm a Hypothesis

a) a) HypothesisHypothesis – a statement that can be – a statement that can be tested (If – then statements)tested (If – then statements)

b) b) Theory Theory – an explanation supported by – an explanation supported by results of many experimentsresults of many experiments

• Theories attempt to explain Theories attempt to explain why something happens.why something happens.

c) c) LawLaw – describes the behavior of something – describes the behavior of something in naturein nature

• Generally, laws predict or Generally, laws predict or describe what will happen in a given describe what will happen in a given situation but don’t always explain why it situation but don’t always explain why it happens.happens.

3. Test your Hypothesis (Perform an 3. Test your Hypothesis (Perform an Experiment) Experiment)

a) a) independent variableindependent variable – the one factor, that – the one factor, that you will change in an experimentyou will change in an experiment

b) b) dependent variabledependent variable – the factor or – the factor or outcome that will be measured in an outcome that will be measured in an experimentexperiment

c) c) constantsconstants – factors in an experiment that – factors in an experiment that stay the samestay the same

d) d) controlcontrol – standard used to compare – standard used to compare

4. Analyze your Data4. Analyze your Data

a) can be number data or adjectivesa) can be number data or adjectives

5.5. Draw a ConclusionDraw a Conclusion

a) You should repeat experiments more than a) You should repeat experiments more than once to reduce any errors.once to reduce any errors.

b) If you conclude that your hypothesis was b) If you conclude that your hypothesis was incorrectincorrect, then form a new hypothesis and start , then form a new hypothesis and start over againover again

c) If you conclude that your hypothesis was c) If you conclude that your hypothesis was correctcorrect, then you are finished. You have , then you are finished. You have found the answer to the problem.found the answer to the problem.

6. Communicate (Share your 6. Communicate (Share your results)results)

III. Scientific MeasurementIII. Scientific Measurement

In science we measure using the In science we measure using the metric metric systemsystem – system of measurement based on – system of measurement based on powers of 10.powers of 10.

Type of Type of MeasurementMeasurement

DefinitionDefinition ToolTool Base UnitBase Unit

LengthThe distance between 2 points

Meter Stick Meter (m)

MassThe amount of matter an object has

Balance Scale

Gram (g)

VolumeThe amount of space an object takes up

Graduated Cylinder

Liter (L)

Measurement ws #1 Measurement ws #3Measurement ws #2

King Henry Died King Henry Died drinking chocolate milkdrinking chocolate milk

Kilo-Kilo- Hecto- Deka- Base deci- centi- milli-Hecto- Deka- Base deci- centi- milli-1000m 100m 10m 1m 0.1m 0.01m 0.001m1000m 100m 10m 1m 0.1m 0.01m 0.001m

___km = 5,000 m___km = 5,000 m ___cm = 8 m___cm = 8 m

___km = 70 m ___km = 70 m ___cm = 0.5 m___cm = 0.5 m