Introduction to Science

1 – The Nature of Science

2 – The Way Science Works

3 – Organizing Data

Key Terms• Science – Knowledge obtained by observing

natural events and conditions to learn facts, principles, laws

• Technology – Application of science for practical purposes

• Law – A descriptive statement or equation that predicts events under certain conditions

• Theory – System of ideas explaining related observations and supported by evidence

How Science Takes Place

• A scientist may perform experiments to find a new aspect of the natural world, to explain a known phenomenon, to check the results of other experiments, or to test predictions of current theories

• Examples – New materials for computer chips that make processing speeds/phones more advanced

How Science Takes Place

• Examples – TVs were built after the early cathode ray tubes were developed in the late 19th century

Observe

Branches of Science

• Natural Science: Biological, Physical, Earth

Working Together

• Different branches of science work together, along with technology

– Example: Applying newer computer-chip materials into actual designs ( Razr, self-cooled labtops )

Laws & Theories – Always Tested

• Laws allow predictions to be made about how a system will behave under given conditions– GRAVITY

• Theories explain HOW a process takes place– PLATE TECTONICS

Models

• Mathematics is useful to describe events

– Gravity has an equation

Models• Models can represent physical events• Used in daily life– Hurricane trajectories– Weather predictions

BELLWORK : 8/20/12Which popcorn is the better deal?

Last Week

• Discussed the fundamental nature of science

• Also worked on observation skills

• Anyone observe something interesting over the weekend?

Introduction to Science

1 – The Nature of Science

2 – The Way Science Works

3 – Organizing Data

2 – The Way Science Works

Science Skills

• Identifying problems

• Planning experiments

• Recording observations

• Correctly reporting data

Critical Thinking

• Involves asking questions, making observations, and using logic

• Surprise!!

BELLWORK : 8/20/12Which popcorn is the better deal? Discuss

Units of Measurement

• In your notes, list 5 you can think of.

• Do these relate to length, mass, weight, time, volume

Units of Measurement

• Scientists use standard units of measure – SI System

• Meters, grams, Seconds

Units of Measurement• SI ( System Internationale ) used for consistency• Prefixes allow for easy converting

• EXAMPLES:• m km

• kg g

• seconds milliseconds

Exit Pass – Unit Conversions

• Study Guide – Pg 3

• Problem 3

• Remaining Time – Problems 1, 5 & 6

Bellwork – 08/21/12

• Study Guide – Pg 3

• Problem 3

• Finished? – Questions 1, 5 & 6

Help with # 1, pg 3

• Microscopes – magnify ( make larger ) small objects

• Telescopes – magnify objects far away• Radio telescope – detect radio waves from objects

• Spectroscopes – separate light into a rainbow

• Ruler – finds length

Key Terms

• Variable – A factor changing in an experiment

• Length – Measure of the straight-line distance between two points

• Volume – The space occupied by an object

• Mass – Amount of matter in an object

• Weight – Amount of gravitational force on object

Scientific Method – Use Colors!!

• Notice there is more than time where you observe

Are They The Same?

• Are they the same? - Hypothesis

• How can we test your hypothesis?

Bellwork – 8/23/12

• Study Guide

• Finish pg. 3 - #2 , #4

Introduction to Science

1 – The Nature of Science

2 – The Way Science Works

3 – Organizing Data

Presenting Scientific Data

• Scientists use written reports and oral presentations

• To share results

• Organizing/Presenting this info is important

Line Graphs• Show continuous changes• Time : Independent Variable

(x-axis)• Doesn’t DEPEND on anything

• Gas Volume : Dependent Variable (y-axis)

• Depends on something else

Demonstration

• Gas-Producing Reaction

• Lots of gas at first, then slows down

• Adding Vinegar to Baking Soda makes CO2

Bar Graphs

• Compares similar data for different items or events

Pie Chart Graphs

• Shows parts of a whole ( or parts of 100% )

Precision & Accuracy

• Precision: the exactness of a measurement• Accuracy: how close a measurement is to the

true value