Science In Our WorldChapter 1

Science

Knowledge obtained by observing the natural world in order to discover facts

Observe Get the Facts Test Ideas Formulate Laws

Science begins by …

asking a question.

Why is the sky blue?

Why is the sky blue?

A clear cloudless day-time sky is blue because molecules in the air scatter blue light from the sun more than they scatter red light.  When we look towards the sun at sunset, we see red and orange colors because the blue light has been scattered out and away from the line of sight.

Remember light is a mixture of all colors of the rainbow.

When a question is asked…

How can you find the answer?

Research

(Encyclopedias, Internet, Experts)

Observation

(Go to the source, watch carefully)

Experimentation

(Test your ideas)

Models

Physical (3D)

Mathematical

Conceptual

Volcanoes, Skyscraper

(Graphical---Maps/Charts)

Equations, numbers

Classification of animal behaviors

AFDAC = Scientific Method

A sk a question

F orm a hypothesis

D esign an experiment

A nalyze the Results

C onclude

Scientific Knowledge (Theories/Laws)

Theories are used to explain observations and predict what may happen

Theory: explanation that ties together many related observations, facts, and tested hypotheses

What happens when a theory and its models correctly predict the results of many experiments?

Law: summary of many experimental results and observations, tells how things work

Hypothesis vs. Theory vs. Law

Hypothesis = Educated Guess

Theory = Possible explanation through tested hypothesis

Law = Proven……… for now

Peer Review

Experts in a given field examine the results and conclusions of an experiment before it can be accepted for publication

Measurement and Tools

Stopwatch = Time Graduated Cylinder =

Volume Thermometer = Temperature Triple Beam Balance = Mass Spring Scale = Weight Meter Stick = Distance

Measurement and Units

Time = seconds

Volume = ml or cm3

Temperature = degrees°

Mass = grams