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Phys141 Principles of Physical Science Introduction Instructor: Li Ma Office: NBC 126 Phone: (713) 313-7028 Webpage:

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Presentation on theme: "Phys141 Principles of Physical Science Introduction Instructor: Li Ma Office: NBC 126 Phone: (713) 313-7028 Webpage:"— Presentation transcript:

1 Phys141 Principles of Physical Science Introduction Instructor: Li Ma Office: NBC 126 Phone: (713) 313-7028 Email: malx@tsu.edumalx@tsu.edu Webpage: http://itscience.tsu.edu/ma Department of Computer Science & Physics Texas Southern University, Houston Sept. 1, 2004

2 Scientific Method Experiment –Observation of natural phenomena –Carried out in a controlled manner −The results can be duplicated Scientific law −A regularity or relationship can be detected in the results after a series experiments −A concise statement, in words or mathematical equations −Description of how the nature operates −For example, during a chemical reaction, no detectable gain or loss of mass occurs (law of mass conservation)

3 Scientific Method (cont) Hypothesis –Very tentative explanation of the behavior/regularity in nature –Help to organize the knowledge and make predictions about related phenomena −For example, matter consists of atoms that merely rearrange themselves during the chemical reaction −Validity needs to be tested using new suggested experiments −Might be modified and retested, or rejected and replaced by a new one

4 Scientific Method (cont) Theory −A tested explanation of a broad segment of basic natural phenomena −A hypothesis successfully passes many tests over a long period of time and proves useful in a large body of scientific work, it becomes theory Scientific method −Process of investigating nature −Self-correcting: new scientific knowledge and insights are gained, modification/replacement of laws, hypotheses and theories will occur

5 Scientific Method (cont) Process of investigating nature Observation of natural phenomena (what) Description of how the nature operates Explanation of the behavior or regularity in nature (why) Experiment Hypothesis / Theory Scientific law Applications

6 Steps to solve the problem 1. List the given quantities (symbols & units) 2. Determine what is wanted 3. Search the equations that relate what is given to what is wanted


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