NASC 1100 Our Physical World Anatoly Miroshnichenko Fall 2004

Lecture 1 Introduction to the Course The Scientific Method (Chapter 1.1  1.2) Natural Sciences is a group of disciplines which study the world of Nature. They include Physics, Astronomy, Chemistry, Biology, Geology. Each of them is divided into narrow branches. Examples Physics: Solid Body Physics, Plasma Physics Astronomy: Astrometry, Astrophysics

Reasons to take this course (except for that it is required) Relatively easy and fun Bring your literacy to a new level Help you to find a life  long interest You get acquainted with modern natural sciences

General Information Course website: Course book website: The course will consist of: 42 lectures and 3 exams

Course structure Methodology of Science (today) Overview of our place in the Universe (next time) Physics (August 27  October 1) Chemistry (October 4  October 22) Earth Science (October 27  November 12) Astronomy (November 15  December 8) The Course Summary (December 10) Final Exam (December 16)

Goal of this lecture Learn how scientists study world Introduce the Scientific Method Learn the terminology: hypothesis, theory, experiment, model

Why to Study Nature To know how it works To use it for our own good To change it to make it better To preserve it in order not to be destroyed To enrich our own life To pass the knowledge on to future generations

The Scientific Method The Scientific Method is a general scheme for looking at the Universe The 4 major steps of the scientific method Formulating a problem Observation and Experiment Interpreting the Data Testing the Interpretation by further Observation and Experiment

Terminology Data  facts about processes or phenomena Observation  data collection without intervening the phenomenon Experiment  data collection by setting up/governing particular processes Law  a general rule to which data conform Hypothesis  a scientific interpretation of a process or phenomenon Theory  a scientific interpretation of a phenomenon or a whole group of phenomena which is capable of making correct predictions Model  a simplified version of reality (often part of a hypothesis or theory)

What is Science and Why is It Successful? Science is a living body of information and not a collection of dogmas. The success of science in investigating the nature is due to the constant testing and retesting of its findings. Nothing is ever taken for granted. “Common sense” is not a valid argument.

Another view of the scientific process

Religion and Science Science is based on skepticism and experiment Religion is based on faith However Many scientists are religious as well as many leaders of religion have been great scientists. Science and Religion are simply different parts of our lives. Science cannot disprove the idea of God. Religion cannot prove that Science is wrong.

Galileo Galilei (1564  1642) First to use the telescope to study the sky Discovered Solar spots and Jupiter’s satellites (Galilean moons) Believed that the Earth moves around the Sun In 1632 he was convicted of heresy. In 1992 it was officially stated by the Pope that Galileo was right.

Summary Science is a tool to study Nature It uses the scientific method as a general scheme Science is a living body of facts Scientific hypotheses and theories undergo continuous testing until they are disproved Science and Religion represent different parts of our lives