Chapter 1.1 Notes

How do Scientists think?

Science

Is a way of learning about the natural world by gathering information (observations) and logical reasoning

Leads to a body of knowledge

Scientists use the skills of observing, inferring, and predicting to learn more about the natural world

If, on a sunny afternoon, you are at Northside pool and you observe a massive line of large, dark clouds quickly advancing on your area what prediction might you make?

 

Observing◦The use of one or more senses to gather information. Sight, Hearing, Touching, Taste, and Smell

◦Qualitative Descriptions that don’t involve numbers or measurements

(eg) Ball is round, milk is sour, honey tastes sweet.

◦Quantitative Description involves measurements

Inference When you explain your

observations

◦Are based on reasoning you already know. (eg) Your teacher gives a lot of pop quizzes, he walks into the room carrying a stack of paper, you may infer that there is a quiz.

◦Inferences are not always correct (eg) If you skipped breakfast on a day you aced a math quiz, would a reasonable inference be that skipping breakfast leads to great math grades?

(eg) If you have a cold and you take vitamin C, you recover quickly from a cold, what inference could you make?

Predicting◦Making a forecast of what will

happen in the future based of previous experience or evidence.

(eg) Saying your team is going to win is a prediction if it is based on the records of the 2 teams. It is a guess if it is not based on any data.

The study of matter and energy

◦Physical science is the study of matter, energy, and the changes it undergoes.

Chemistry is the study of the properties of matter and how matter changes.

Physics is the study of matter and energy and how they interact.

How do firefighters, photographers, and piano turners need physical science to do their jobs?