Chapter 1 The Nature of Science

Section 1.1- What is Science? Science- way of learning more about the natural world that provides possible explanations to questions and involves using a collection of skills

Asking Questions Scientists ask lots of questions – Examples: What do things look like? What is this made of? *What are more examples of questions scientists ask? Some questions cannot be answered by science

Possible explanations Science can answer a question only with information available at the time With new info, scientists will look at old ideas and think of new explanations

Scientific Theories Scientific Theory- an attempt to explain a pattern observed repeatedly in the natural world Theories are not: – guesses – Opinions – Vague ideas

Scientific Theories ARE: – Testable – Well supported – Consistent with old theories and experimental results – Adaptable to new information

Scientific Laws Scientific Laws- a rule that describes a pattern in nature For an observation to become a scientific law, it must be observed repeatedly Laws are always true

Laws vs. Theories A law does not explain the WHY or HOW A law simply describes the pattern Theories describe the WHY and HOW

Examples Categorize each of these as a LAW or a THEORY. 1.Matter is not created or destroyed but only changes its form. 2.There is no difference in the taste of coffee no matter what brand name. 3.Energy can change its form but never is created or destroyed. 4.The sun rises everyday because gravity keeps Earth in orbit around the sun.

Checking for Understanding Exit Slip What is the difference between a scientific law and a scientific theory? Write an example of each.

Systems in Science System- a collection of structures, cycles and processes that relate to and interact with each other

Systems in Science Scientists study many different systems Examples: – How the human body works – How planets move around the sun

System- a collection of structures, cycles and processes that relate to and interact with each other Systems are not found just in science What are some examples?

Your school is a system Structures: school building, tables/chairs, your teacher and principal School day has cycles: bell schedule and school calendar Class has processes: when you take a test, your teacher asks you to clear your desk except for a pencil. When test is over, your teacher collects your test and grades it

All systems are made up of other systems You are a part of your school Your school is a part of a district

Science is divided into 3 main branches: Life science Earth Science Physical Science

Life science- the study of living systems and the ways they interact Life science tries to answer questions like: – How do vaccines work? – How do vaccines prevent disease?

Life scientists study: – Living organisms – Where they live – And how they interact

Physicians, Nurses, Pharmacists Biologists, Veterinarians, Zookeepers, Farmers What is a career in life science that you would be interested in pursuing?

Earth Science- The study of Earth systems and the systems in space Includes study of non living things like: – rocks – Soil – Oceans – Planets Also includes weather and climate

Careers: – Meteorologist – Geologist – Volcanologist **Who knows some more examples?

Physical Science- the study of matter and energy – Matter- anything that has mass and takes up space – Energy- the ability to do work

Divided into: – Chemistry – Physics Chemistry- study of matter and its interactions Physics- study of energy and its ability to change matter

Careers: – Chemists – Physicists – Ultrasound and X-Ray Technicians

Technology- the practical use of science or applied science – Examples: Solar Powered Cars Ipads What are some more examples of technology?

Briefly describe each branch of science – Earth Science – Physical Science – Life Science ALSO, Give an example of a career in each branch.

1.2: Science in Action The Scientific Method – Investigations often follow a general pattern

Scientific Method- A way to ask and answer specific scientific questions by making observations and doing experiments

Steps of the Scientific Method 1.Ask a question 2.Observe and gather info 3.Write a Hypothesis 4.Experiment your Hypothesis 5.Analyze your data 6.Draw conclusions 7.Modify Hypothesis

Ask A Question What are you trying to learn?

Make Observations Using the senses to gather information about an object Describing its: – Appearance – Texture – Sound – Taste

Collect Info Scientists: – Read books/research articles – Talk to other scientists

Hypothesis A reasonable and educated possible answer based on what you know and observe

Experimenting the Hypothesis A step wise procedure for proving the validity of the hypothesis

Analyze Data Record what occurred during the experiment – Aka “Data”

Draw Conclusions Do your results support your hypothesis? – If not, scientists write a new hypothesis and restart scientific method – If it was supported, they might test it again in a different way to see if the same results occur

Check for Understanding Write the steps of the scientific method in order!

Experiments A controlled experiment involves changing one factor and observing its effect on another while keeping all other factors constant

Variables Variables- factors that can be changed in an experiment Independent variable- the variable that is changed Dependent variable- the variable that changes as a result of a change in the independent variable – Usually the one observed

Constants Constants- variables that are not changed in an experiment

LAB SAFETY Be organized, clean and act safely! No disruptive or dangerous behavior!

Be Prepared! Pay attention to directions and understand them before starting experiment

Respect Equipment Use instruments carefully & the way they’re meant to be used Report broken materials to the teacher immediately

Hold up Wait until teacher says to begin experiment Follow steps of procedure IN ORDER

Observe thoroughly Observe calmly and silently

Follow directions Follow all written and oral directions

Be safe! Protect my: – Eyes/face- wear safety goggles – Hands- gloves – Follow any other safety instructions given by Ms. Mc

Record! Record observations, measurements and data in science composition notebook

Clean area Clean all materials and work area used in experiment Wash my hands

REPORT ACCIDENTS! IMMEDIATELY TELL TEACHER OF ANY: – ACCIDENT – DANGER – INJURY

NOTE: Failure to follow these rules will result in: – Being removed from lab – Losing credit for work in my absence

Models One way to test hypotheses Model- any representation of an object or an event used a tool to understand the natural world

Types of Models Physical Computer Idea

Physical Models Models that you can touch and see Ex. Globe of Earth

Computer Models Built using computer software Ex. Weather software used by meteorologists

Idea Models Models that are ideas/concepts that describes how someone thinks about something in the natural world – Ex. Albert Einstein- theory of relativity

Using Models Drawings Maps Recipes

Models Communicate- ideas/observations Test predictions Save $ and lives – Crash test dummies – Astronaut training

Limitations Sometimes change Too large – ex. Solar system

Evaluating Scientific Explanation Critical thinking- combining what you already know w/ new facts that you are given to decide if you should agree with something

Data Info. Gathered during investigations – Descriptions, tables, graphs, drawings