1. Science Basics

2. ? ? ? ? What is Science? “Having Knowledge”
Processes of observing, studying, & thinking about things in your world to gain knowledge. ? ?

3. Main Branches of Science
1. Life Science
The study of living things
Biology,
Zoology,
Botany,
Microbiology

4. 2. Earth Science The study of Earth and its place in the Universe
Geology
Meteorology
Astronomy
Oceanography

5. 3. Physical Science
The study of matter and energy
Physics
Chemistry

6. Scientific Methods Step 1: Identify a Problem *Understand the question
Step 2: Gather Information
*Do research for background on the problem.
Step 3: Make a Hypothesis
*Proposed solution or educated guess

7. Step 4: Test your Hypothesis
*Design a repeatable experiment (Variables/Controls)
Step 5: Analyze the Results (Data)
*Record data from the experiment in data tables & display in a graph
Step 6: Draw Conclusions
*State whether the data supports or rejects the hypothesis & why

8. Parts of an Experiment
Control: a standard that the data/results will be compared to in the experiment.
Variables: part of the experiment that is tested; it does change

9. Types of Variables Independent Variable Factor in the experiment
that changes. (Tested)
Constants
Variables that do not
change in the experiment.
Dependent Variable
Factor in the experiment
that is observed or
measured that happens
as a result of the
independent variable.
(Final Results)

10. Types of Data Quantitative Qualitative Data that is in the form
of numbers, graphs, and
measurements
Qualitative
Data that is in the form
of observations.

11. Theory vs. Law
Theory
An explanation or model backed by results obtained from many tests or experiments.
Most logical explanation for events that occur in nature.
Powerful, time-tested concepts that make useful & dependable predictions about the natural world.

12. Famous Theories of Science
Theory of Relativity
Theory of Evolution
Theory of
Plate Tectonics
Big Bang Theory

13. Law Rules that describe the behavior of something in nature.
Theories that are accepted over time by the scientific community.
Laws support facts.
Principles are similar to laws.

14. Universal Gravitation
Famous Laws of Science
Laws of Motion
Law of
Universal Gravitation
Laws of
Planetary Motion

15. Ethics Study of moral values about what is good or bad.
Science can not answer whether or not something is ethical.
Honest science should NOT be biased.

16. Measurement & Tools The Metric System
A global, standard system of measurement
“International System of Units” or SI
Based on decimals (by 10’s)
Used by all scientists

17. Measurement Chart Length Volume Mass Measurement Definition
Metric Units
English Units
Instrument
Length
Distance from point A to point B
Meter (m)
Miles, Yards, Feet, Inches
Meterstick
Volume
Amount of space that an object occupies
Liter (L)
cm3 (cc)
Gallons, Pints, Quarts, Cups, etc.
Graduated Cylinder
Mass
Amount of matter in an object
Grams (g)
Triple-Beam Balance

18. Measurement Chart (cont.)
Definition
Metric Units
English Units
Instrument
Temperature
How fast atoms are moving
Celsius (oC)
Kelvin (K)
Fahrenheit (oF)
Thermometer
Weight
Gravity’s effect on a mass
Newtons (N)
Pounds (lbs)
Scale
Density
Amount of mass per unit volume
g/mL

19. Ways to Measure Volume Volume = length x width x height
Cubic centimeters (cm3 or cc)
Width
Length

20. Displacement: placing an irregularly shaped
Displacement: placing an irregularly shaped object into a known volume of water & measuring the change in the level of water.
Volume = 10mL – 5mL
= 5mL
5 mL
10 mL

21. Laboratory Tools Meterstick (length) Triple-beam Balance (mass)
Thermometer
(temperature)

22. More Lab Tools Measuring Volumes
Beaker
Florence
Flask
Graduated
Cylinder
* Most Accurate
Erlenmeyer
Flask

23. Even More Lab Tools
Keeping it
HOT!
Hot plate
Bunsen Burner

24. Dimensional Analysis
Process of changing one unit into another unit by using conversion factors.
Examples: changing km to cm,
mL to L, or mg to g

25. Metric Prefixes Kilo- Hecto- Deka- Deci- Centi- Milli- k h da d c m
1000
100 10 1
0.1
0.01
0.001
Getting Larger L g
Getting Smaller

26. Other Metric Prefixes Terra- Giga- Mega- Micro- Nano- Pico- T G M m n
Trillion
Billion
Million
Millionth
Billionth
Trillionth

27. Conversions Convert 20g to kg.
Step #1: Draw a cross chart and place the starting number & units in the top left.
Step #2: Carry the units down diagonally.
20kg
20kg
___ kg

28. Step #3: Figure out which conversion factor to
Step #3: Figure out which conversion factor to use and write it in the correct boxes.
Step #4: Go back through the problem and cross out the same units that are in the top & the bottom. Only the units you want your answer in should be left.
20kg
1 kg
1000g
1000g
20kg
1 kg

29. = = = Step #5: Multiply across the top.
Step #6: Multiply across the bottom.
Step #7: Divide to get the final answer.
1000g
20kg
1 kg
20 000g =
1000g
20kg
1 kg
20 000g = 1
1000g
20kg
1 kg
20 000g 1 =
20 000g