Physical SciencePhysical Science10111011

Dr. GoodroadDr. Goodroad

PHYSICAL SCIENCE PHYSICAL SCIENCE 10111011

READ ASSIGNMENTREAD ASSIGNMENT ATTEMPT PROBLEMSATTEMPT PROBLEMS ATTEND CLASS (TAKE ATTEND CLASS (TAKE

NOTES)NOTES) WORK PROBLEMSWORK PROBLEMS

PHYSICAL SCIENCE PHYSICAL SCIENCE 10111011

ProloguePrologue

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method A methodology for exploring phenomenaA methodology for exploring phenomena Terms:Terms:

Hypothesis – an educated guess that is Hypothesis – an educated guess that is testable.testable.

Law (Principle) – a scientific hypothesis that Law (Principle) – a scientific hypothesis that has been repeatedly tested and has not been has been repeatedly tested and has not been contradicted.contradicted.

Fact - something that competent observers Fact - something that competent observers can observe and agree to be true.can observe and agree to be true.

Theory – a synthesis of facts and well-tested Theory – a synthesis of facts and well-tested hypotheses.hypotheses.

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

1.1. Recognize a question or a problem.Recognize a question or a problem.

2.2. Make an educated guess – a Make an educated guess – a hypothesis – to answer the question.hypothesis – to answer the question.

3.3. Predict what can be observed if the Predict what can be observed if the hypothesis is correct.hypothesis is correct.

4.4. Do experiments to see if the Do experiments to see if the predicted effects are present.predicted effects are present.

5.5. Formulate the simplest general rule Formulate the simplest general rule that integrates the hypothesis, the that integrates the hypothesis, the predicted effects and experimental predicted effects and experimental findings.findings.

Scientific HypothesesScientific Hypotheses The hypothesis must be testable.The hypothesis must be testable. A hypothesis can be wrong.A hypothesis can be wrong.

Aristotle thought that heavier objects Aristotle thought that heavier objects would fall faster than light objects. It would fall faster than light objects. It seemed to be logical – however:seemed to be logical – however:

Galileo was a skeptic. He dropped Galileo was a skeptic. He dropped heavy and light objects from the Tower heavy and light objects from the Tower of Pisa. They all fell at the same speed.of Pisa. They all fell at the same speed.

If the hypothesis is proven wrong, a new If the hypothesis is proven wrong, a new hypo-thesis can be formulated (back to hypo-thesis can be formulated (back to the drawing board!).the drawing board!).

What Is Good Science?What Is Good Science? Scientists must be open to debate. Scientists must be open to debate.

Debate is a means of testing hypotheses.Debate is a means of testing hypotheses. Scientists must be willing to publish their Scientists must be willing to publish their

experimental procedure so that others experimental procedure so that others may have an opportunity to reproduce may have an opportunity to reproduce results.results.

Scientists must have integrity. They Scientists must have integrity. They must publish experimental findings even must publish experimental findings even if those findings do not support the if those findings do not support the hypothesis.hypothesis.

Consensus is not science! There was Consensus is not science! There was once consensus that the Earth was flat!once consensus that the Earth was flat!

TechnologyTechnology

Science and Technology are Science and Technology are not the same.not the same.

Science is concerned with Science is concerned with gathering knowledge and gathering knowledge and organizing it.organizing it.

Technology puts scientific Technology puts scientific knowledge to practical use.knowledge to practical use.

Technology is a tool.Technology is a tool.