Tools of Science

(Chapter 1)

Student Learning Objectives

• Differentiate between science and non-science (pseudoscience)

• Apply the scientific method

• Develop some tools for interpreting data

What is science?

Science is not simply a collection of facts, but rather an objective process of quantifying what we observe.

The outcomes of science are laws and theories with repeatable results.

TestedVerified

Practice

What are some examples of science?

How is science done?

• Measurements• Observations• Experiments

Each scientist must be able to obtain the same results.

Observation Hypothesis/Prediction Experiment Theory Law

Example: Setting Sun

Practice

1) What is the goal of science?

 

2) The scientific method is a circular process. Explain

 

3) What do you think happens if scientists cannot obtain the same results?

More Practice

 4) Can the scientific method be used to answer all questions?

 

5) What is pseudoscience?

What is the measurement system used in science?

Measurements are an objective tool.

Standard units in science utilize the metric system.

Each factor of ten difference results in a single move of the decimal.

(Multiply by 10’s)

(Divide by 10’s)

Unit Multiple Conversionskilometer 1 km = 103 m 1 km = 1000 mcentimeter 1 cm = 10−2 m 100 cm = 1 mmillimeter 1 mm = 10−3 m 1000 mm = 1 m

micron 1 mm = 10−6 m 1,000,000 mm = 1 m nanometer 1 nm = 10−9 m

Practice

1) How many centimeters are in 1 kilometer?

 

2)How many nanometers are in 2 centimeters?

3) A length of 5 millimeters would be what number of meters?

4) The average person is 75 kilograms. How many grams is this?

3 Dimensions

Three measurements are used to define an object's size in three dimensional space (x, y, z).

Length Area Volume

Length: 1 measurement in one dimensionArea: 2 measurements in two different dimensions

Volume: 3 measurements in the three different dimensions

m m3m2

Example: Size of a desk

Equations show how quantities are related.

F = ma

Equations, and measurements, describe the universe objectively. (quantitatively)

Why are equations and units important in science?

Units are the description of what was measured. (60)

Conversion factors can be used to change common units to scientific units.

Common Measurement

MetricConversion

mile 1 mile = 1609 metersinch 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters

pound 0.2248 pound = 1 Newton

Practice1) A car on the freeway is traveling at 65 mph.

a) How many km/hr is this?

b) How many m/s is this?

2) A room measures 10 feet by 12 feet. How many square meters of carpet would be needed for this room?

What do graphs show?

Graphs show how data is related and indicate a mathematical formula, the equation.

Linear

y = x

Linear: Y=X

Quadratic

y = x2

Inverse Square

y = 1

x2

Quadratic: Y = X2

Inverse Square: Y = 1/X2

PracticeUse the data to construct and interpret a graph. What is the relationship of the graph? How would you interpret the graph (what does it show)?

Speed (mph) Time (sec)15 128 247 362 478 5