Natural Science Natural Science is divided is divided into 3 main branches:into 3 main branches:
① Physical Science② Earth and Space Science③ Life Science
In this class we will be focusing on Physical Science, which mainly focuses on the study of non-living things.
What is Physical Science? 1-1
Introduction to Introduction to Physical SciencePhysical Science
(More Information on this topic can be found in Chapter One in your textbook.)
So what is Physical Science?So what is Physical Science?
Physical Science is the study of matter, energy, and the changes they undergo.
Matter is anything that has mass and occupies space.
Energy is the ability to do work or cause change.
Branches of Physical ScienceBranches of Physical Science
PHYSICS CHEMISTRY
Study of matter, energy, motion, forces, and how they interact
Learn about different forms of energy
Apply the laws of physics that govern energy to Earth, the solar system, and the universe beyond
Ever wonder how a laser works? A physicist knows!
Study of the properties of matter and how matter changes
Learn about the particles that make up matter and properties of different forms of matter
Hydrogen alone is combustible. Oxygen alone is combustible. When combined in the form of water, H2O, they put out fire! Why?
Why Study Physical Science?Why Study Physical Science?Because it is used everyday in the real world!
Consider these examples:
The water you shower with is heated by chemical fuel or electricity
You use force to crush food when you eat
The food you eat is converted into chemical energy that your body uses to perform all of your daily tasks
There are chemicals in toothpaste you use to brush your teeth
Skills Scientists Skills Scientists Use:Use:
Observing- Using one or more senses to gather information. 2 Types of observations:
1) Qualitative Observations- Do not involve numbers or measurements, “That man is
tall.”2) Quantitative Observations- Involve
measurements, “That man is 6’5” tall.”Inferring (or making an inference)- Based on
your observations or what you already know; not always correct.
Predicting- making forecast of what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence
Observation Versus Inference!Observation Versus Inference!
OBSERVATION: INFERENCE:
The lady is wearing a ring on left hand ring finger.
That lady is married.
The boy is carrying an umbrella.
It must be raining outside.
The man has grey hair. That man is old.
Classify the following as observations or inferences:
She must go to the beach a lot.
Her skin is very tan.
I smell funnel cake!
There may be an amusement park nearby.
How did you do?How did you do?She must go to the beach a lot.
Her skin is very tan.
I smell funnel cake!
There may be an amusement park nearby.
INFERENCE
OBSERVATION
OBSERVATION
INFERENCE
What is Scientific Inquiry?What is Scientific Inquiry?
Scientific Inquiry refers to the different ways scientist study the natural world. It is the ongoing process of discovery in Science.
In the process of scientific discovery, scientists use curiosity, honesty, open-mindedness, skepticism, and creativity.
Scientific Inquiry 1-2
How do scientists investigate the natural world?
What role do models, theories, and laws play in science?
Process of Inquiry Process of Inquiry Includes:Includes:
Posing questionsDeveloping hypothesesDesigning experimentsCollecting and interpreting dataDrawing conclusionsCommunicating ideas and results
This process is NOT always linear!!!
The Nature of InquiryThe Nature of Inquiry There is no set path that a scientific
inquiry must follow. Different scientists may choose different paths when studying the same event.
The scientific method is a more linear, organized way to inquire about science.
It always starts with an observation.
The Scientific Method
Controlled Experiments…Controlled Experiments…Only 1 thing (called a variable) Only 1 thing (called a variable)
changeschanges
*Variable that is deliberately changed= manipulated variable (independent variable)What is the independent variable in this experiment? (Hint: What
are we changing?)
*Variable that is observed and changes in response=
responding variable (dependent variable)-What is the dependent variable in this experiment? (Hint: What is changing
because of our independent variable?)
THE LIGHT BULB!
WHETHER OR NOT THE LIGHT TURNS ON!
Controlled Experiments Controlled Experiments ContinuedContinued
*All other variables in the experiment are held constant, which means they never change= controlled variable (constant variable)
-What are some of the controlled variables in this experiment?
THE LAMP, THE ROOM, THE ELECTICAL OUTLET
Recording & Analyzing Data
Organize your data into charts and graphs so that it is easier to recognize patterns
Example:Light bulb #1 Light bulb #2 Light bulb #3 Light bulb #4
NOT WORKING NOT WORKING NOT WORKING NOT WORKING
Draw Conclusions
Decide if the evidence supports or rejects your hypothesis.
Example:
All light bulbs in that lamp plugged into the same outlet are not functioning, therefore I will reject my initial hypothesis because it is unlikely that all light bulbs are burnt out.
Rejecting your original hypothesis is valid information because it helps you rule out possible causes to the problem or question and allows you to make a new hypothesis and start the steps of the scientific method over again.
Since our Hypothesis was not correct, we will go back to step #4 and form another hypothesis that we can test…. ANY IDEAS???
After we form our new hypothesis, we will go back through the steps of the scientific method!
Once we find a hypothesis that is correct, we have answered our question!
In larger experiments, scientists will write up lab reports, repeat their experiments, publish their results, or even branch out from the experiment to test other ideas.
Why would scientists want to write lab reports and/or publish their results?
So other scientists can learn from their data, and to possibly receive credit for their work.
Why would scientists want to repeat their experiments?
To make sure their results are accurate.
Communicating Results
When does a When does a hypothesishypothesis become a become a theorytheory??
When a hypothesis is tested and confirmed enough times that it is unlikely to be proven wrong by future tests
In science, the word theory applies to a well-tested explanation that brings together a lot of observations
A theory may be changed or replaced as new evidence is discovered
Measurement 1-3Measurement 1-3
Why do scientists use a standard measurement system?
What are the SI units of measurement for length, mass, volume, density, time, and temperature?
A A Standard Measurement System Standard Measurement System Using SI as the standard system of measurement
allows scientists to compare data and communicate with each other about their results.
SI units are based on multiples of 10. We will be using SI and other metric units.
LengthLength The basic unit of length in SI is the meter (m).To measure something larger than a meter, scientists
may use kilometers (km), which means one thousand.To measure something smaller than a meter, scientists
may use centimeters (cm) or millimeters (mm).
centi- ,in centimeters (cm), means one-hundredth
milli -,in millimeters (mm), means one-thousandth.
Consider a rulerThis ruler shows both Metric and English units for measuring lengthThe numbers on the top are centimetersThe tiny lines within each centimeter are millimeters.Notice there are 10 mm in 1 cm. COUNT THEM!How many mm are in 3 cm?The numbers on the bottom are inchesNotice how much bigger 1 in is compared to 1 cmThere are 2.54 cm in 1 inWe will practice converting from Metric to Metric later!
WEIGHT vs MASSWEIGHT vs MASS
Weight: Mass:
Your weight is a measure of the force of gravity on you.
The force of gravity may be more or less on other planets or moons than on Earth.
You would weigh about one-sixth of your Earth weight on the moon.
The newton (N) is the SI unit, the pound (lb) is the English unit.
• Mass is the measure of the amount of matter an object contains.
• Mass is not affected by gravity.
• If you travel to the moon, the amount of matter in your body (your mass) will not change.
• Scientists prefer to use mass rather than weight.
• SI unit of mass is the kilogram (kg), but we will be using mostly grams (g) in this class.
VolumeVolume
Volume is the amount of space an object takes up.
The SI unit of volume is the cubic meter (m3), but we will most often measure in milliliters (mL) and cubic centimeters (cm3).
VolumeVolume of a liquid: of a liquid:
Graduated cylinder (mL)
Meniscus- curved surface at top of liquid, always record measurements at eye level using bottom of the meniscus
Volume of Rectangular and Volume of Rectangular and Irregular Solids:Irregular Solids:
Example- Cereal box
Volume = Length x Width x Height
Remember to multiply numbers and units, so units will be cubed (Ex. cm3)
Example- Rock
Submerge object in water in graduated cylinder and measure the displacement of the water (Ex. mL)
Regular Solids Irregular Solids
DensityDensity• Two objects of the same size can
have very different masses because different materials have different densities!
• Density is mass per unit volume So Density = Mass/ Volume
• SI unit of density is kg/m3, other common units are g/cm3 and g/mL
• Since density is made up of 2 measurements, it always has 2 units
Density Density
The density of a substance stays the same no matter how large or small a sample of the substance is.
So a gold earring and a gold necklace will both have a density of 19.3 g/cm3
Sink or Float?Sink or Float?Knowing an object’s density allows you to
predict whether it will sink or float.If the object is less dense than the liquid,
it will float.If the object is more dense than the liquid,
it will sink.Problem: Water has a density of 1 g/cm3. Will an object with a density of 0.7 g/cm3 float or sink in water?
TimeTime
The second (s) is the SI unit of time.
Temperature Temperature
• Scientists use the Celsius and Kelvin scales to measure temperature.
• The kelvin (K) is the SI unit of temperature.
More Math in Science 1-4More Math in Science 1-4
What math skills do scientists use in collecting data and making measurements?
Estimation:Estimation:
An approximation of a number based on known/ reasonable information
Scientists cannot always obtain EXACT numbers
Example: measuring distances between stars
Accuracy and ReproducibilityAccuracy and Reproducibility
Accuracy: Reproducibility:
How close a measurement is to the true value
Example: If you were playing darts, accurate throws land close to the bull’s-eye
How close a group of measurements are to each other
Example: Reproducible throws land close to one another
Scientists aim for both accuracy and reproducibility in their
measurements.
Graphs in Science 1-5Graphs in Science 1-5
What type of data can line graphs display?
Why are line graphs powerful tools in science?
Why use Graphs?Why use Graphs? Because of their visual nature, graphs can reveal patterns or trends
that words and data tables cannot.
Scientists commonly use bar graphs, circle graphs, and line graphs.
The Importance of Graphs The Importance of Graphs Line graphs are used to
display data to show how one variable changes in response to another variable.
In this experiment, the responding variable is the time it takes for the water to boil. The manipulated variable is the volume of water in the pot.
Why Draw a Line of Best Fit? Why Draw a Line of Best Fit? A line of best fit emphasizes the overall trend
shown by all the data taken as a whole.
Using Graphs to Identify Trends Using Graphs to Identify Trends
Line graphs are powerful tools in science because they allow you to identify trends and make predictions.
This graph’s data forms a straight line, so it is linear
Using Graphs to Identify Trends Using Graphs to Identify Trends
Not all line graphs will have data that fall on a straight line.
This graph is nonlinear
Here are some more nonlinear Here are some more nonlinear graphs:graphs:
No trendNo trend
Even nonlinear graphs with no recognizable pattern provides useful information to scientists…
It most likely means that there is no relationship between the two variables.
Process for Constructing GraphsProcess for Constructing Graphs1. Draw the axes 2. Label the axeshorizontal axis = x-axis = independent variable(manipulated variable)vertical axis = y-axis = dependent variable (dependent variable)
3. Create a scaleThe parameters of the scale is BASED ON the data
4. Plot the data5. Draw a line of best fit(focus on general pattern, not connecting dots
6. Add a titleinclude both independent and dependent variables
* Page 37 in your textbook is a good reference for you.
