Physical Science 1011 Mr. Clifford M. McKeithan

Physical Science 1011 Agenda ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES ADMINISTRATIVE NOTES PHILOSOPHY / PITFALLS PHILOSOPHY / PITFALLS REVIEW SYLLABUS REVIEW SYLLABUS KEYS TO SUCCESS KEYS TO SUCCESS

Physical Science 1011 Administration INSTRUCTOR:Mr. McKeithan INSTRUCTOR:Mr. McKeithan ROOM:INST COMPLEX, RM 211 ROOM:INST COMPLEX, RM 211 OFFICE HOURS:POSTED ON DOOR OFFICE HOURS:POSTED ON DOOR TELEPHONE: TELEPHONE:

Physical Science 1011 Administration THE ROLL CALL

Physical Science 1011 Philosophy WORK HARD WORK HARD HAVE FUN HAVE FUN

Physical Science 1011 Introductions MYSELF MYSELF YOU YOU NAME NAME HOME HOME MAJOR MAJOR WHY YOU ARE TAKING THIS COURSE WHY YOU ARE TAKING THIS COURSE ONE OR TWO INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF ONE OR TWO INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT YOURSELF I’M AN OLD GUY WITH THE ATTENDANT MEMORY PROBLEMS. DON’T GET OFFENDED IF I DON’T REMEMBER YOUR NAME – REMIND ME. I’M TRAINABLE. I’M AN OLD GUY WITH THE ATTENDANT MEMORY PROBLEMS. DON’T GET OFFENDED IF I DON’T REMEMBER YOUR NAME – REMIND ME. I’M TRAINABLE.

Physical Science 1011 PITFALL SIMILAR TO HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICAL SCIENCE SIMILAR TO HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICAL SCIENCE BUT BROADER AND DEEPER THAN HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICAL SCIENCE BUT BROADER AND DEEPER THAN HIGH SCHOOL PHYSICAL SCIENCE

PHYSICAL SCIENCE 1011 THE SYLLABUS

PHYSICAL SCIENCE 1011 READ ASSIGNMENT READ ASSIGNMENT ATTEMPT PROBLEMS ATTEMPT PROBLEMS ATTEND CLASS (TAKE NOTES) ATTEND CLASS (TAKE NOTES) REWRITE NOTES REWRITE NOTES WORK PROBLEMS WORK PROBLEMS

PHYSICAL SCIENCE 1011 Prologue

The Scientific Method A methodology for exploring phenomena A methodology for exploring phenomena Terms: Terms: Hypothesis – an educated guess that is testable. Hypothesis – an educated guess that is testable. Law (Principle) – a scientific hypothesis that has been repeatedly tested and has not been contradicted. Law (Principle) – a scientific hypothesis that has been repeatedly tested and has not been contradicted. Fact - something that competent observers can observe and agree to be true. Fact - something that competent observers can observe and agree to be true. Theory – a synthesis of facts and well-tested hypotheses. Theory – a synthesis of facts and well-tested hypotheses.

The Scientific Method 1. Recognize a question or a problem. 2. Make an educated guess – a hypothesis – to answer the question. 3. Predict what can be observed if the hypothesis is correct. 4. Do experiments to see if the predicted effects are present. 5. Formulate the simplest general rule that integrates the hypothesis, the predicted effects and experimental findings.

Scientific 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 would fall faster than light objects. It seemed to be logical – however: Aristotle thought that heavier objects would fall faster than light objects. It seemed to be logical – however: Galileo was a skeptic. He dropped heavy and light objects from the Tower of Pisa. They all fell at the same speed. Galileo was a skeptic. He dropped heavy and light objects from the Tower of Pisa. They all fell at the same speed. If the hypothesis is proven wrong, a new hypo- thesis can be formulated (back to the drawing board!). If the hypothesis is proven wrong, a new hypo- thesis can be formulated (back to the drawing board!).

What Is Good Science? Scientists must be open to debate. Debate is a means of testing hypotheses. Scientists must be open to debate. Debate is a means of testing hypotheses. Scientists must be willing to publish their experimental procedure so that others may have an opportunity to reproduce results. Scientists must be willing to publish their experimental procedure so that others may have an opportunity to reproduce results. Scientists must have integrity. They must publish experimental findings even if those findings do not support the hypothesis. Scientists must have integrity. They must publish experimental findings even if those findings do not support the hypothesis. Consensus is not science! There was once consensus that the Earth was flat! Consensus is not science! There was once consensus that the Earth was flat!

Technology Science and Technology are not the same. Science and Technology are not the same. Science is concerned with gathering knowledge and organizing it. Science is concerned with gathering knowledge and organizing it. Technology puts scientific knowledge to practical use. Technology puts scientific knowledge to practical use. Technology is a tool. Technology is a tool.