Measurement & Tools of Science (Chapter 1)

Student Learning Objectives Differentiate between science and non-science Apply the scientific method Develop some tools for interpreting data.

These Practice Problems are presented in class 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 which can be used to predict results. Science uses measurement and an objective method to characterize observed attributes of the physical world. These Practice Problems are presented in class

How is science done? Science is a process of experimentation with verifiable measurements. Each scientist must be able to obtain the same results. Scientific Method-general methods of observations, rules for reasoning, and making predictions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8UFGu2M2gM

Scientific Method Observations & Measurements Hypothesis Experiments Theory Law https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqk3TKuGNBA

The Senses Sight, Hearing, Smell, Taste, Touch Sight and Hearing provide the most information to our brains about our environment. Sensory Limitations – can be reduced by using measuring devices Instruments extend our ability to measure and learn about our environment. Our senses can also be deceived -> Section 1.3

Some Optical Illusions Lines “a” and “b” are equal in length! Section 1.3

Optical Illusions The lines are all horizontal! Section 1.3

Some Optical Illusions Section 1.3

Some Optical Illusions Section 1.3

Practice These Practice Problems are presented in class

What is the measurement system used in science? Measurements are an objective tool. Standard units in science utilize the metric system. Length: meter(m) Mass: kilogram(kg) Time: second(s) Prefixes in the metric system equal different units of ten. Why the metric system matters - Matt Anticole

Each factor of ten difference results in a single move of the decimal. Unit Multiple Conversions kilometer 1 km = 103 m 1 km = 1000 m centimeter 1 cm = 10−2 m 100 cm = 1 m millimeter 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 Each factor of ten difference results in a single move of the decimal.

3 Dimensions Three measurements are used to define an object's size in three dimensional space (x, y, z). Length: 1 measurement in one dimension Area: 2 measurements in two different dimensions Volume: 3 measurements in the three different dimensions Length Area Volume

Why are units and equations important in science? Units are the description of what was measured. Example: 60 Conversion factors can be used to change common units to scientific units. Common Measurement Metric Conversion mile 1 mile = 1609 meters = 1.609 km inch 1 inch = 2.54 centimeters pound 0.2248 pound = 1 Newton

Practice These Practice Problems are presented in class

Equations show how quantities are related. F = ma Measurements and equations describe the universe objectively (quantitatively). Example: Size of a desk

What do graphs show? Linear Quadratic Inverse Square Graphs show how data is related and indicate a mathematical formula, the equation. Linear Quadratic Inverse Square

Practice These Practice Problems are presented in class