1. Basic Science Terms

2. DOING SCIENCE Science starts with a question.
Science assumes that the universe is orderly and can be explained.
Science is unbiased (objective).

3. Basic Science Terms Science Technology Branches of science Physics
Theory
Law
Hypothesis
Model

4. Science The study and pursuit of knowledge about the natural world.
Example
A physicist tries to understand how the Sun gives us light.

5. Significance of Science
The search for knowledge adds to our understanding of the physical world.
Scientists want to know!
Science affects society by
stimulating thought
satisfying curiosity
influencing views of the world
providing knowledge necessary for new technological advances

6. Technology The application of science to meet human needs.
Example
Designing and building solar panels for alternative energy automobiles

7. Significance of Technology
Put the findings of science to use
Try to solve practical problems
New technology often leads to new discoveries and the advancement of science

8. Examples of Technologies that led to the Advancement of Science
Telescope…used to discover new planets, moons and stars
Microscope…used to discover microorganisms that cause disease, such as bubonic plague
Internet and computer…processing a huge amount of data in a matter of seconds

9. The Branches and Disciplines of Science
Natural Science
Life Science
Physical Science
1. Biology
2. Zoology
3. Botany
Earth Science
1. Geology
2. Meteorology
1. Physics
2. Chemistry

10. The branches of science are separate, yet integrated.
Physical Science
Earth Science
Life Science

11. Science disciplines meteorology physics paleontology chemistry
astronomy
biology
geology

12. Significance of Branches of Science
Separate, but integrated
Example: the study of fossils requires an understanding of geology and biology!
Branches of Natural Science
Earth Science
Life Science
Physical science: Chemistry and Physics.
What is Chemistry?
Chemistry is the study of matter and how it changes.
What is physics?

13. What is Physics? The study of motion, forces and energy.
“The entire universe is built upon of the principles revealed by a study of physics.”
-Andrew Zimmerman Jones

14. Significance of Physics
Foundation for other sciences.
Everything around us is affected by it.
Explains phenomena such as orbiting satellites, weightlessness, lightning, sonic booms, magnetism and energy transformations.

15. Scientific Theory
A synthesis of a large body of information that encompasses well-tested and verified hypotheses about aspects of the natural world.
Examples
Atomic theory explains the atom
Plate Tectonics explains the formation of volcanoes, earthquakes and mountains
It represents the best explanation about a natural phenomenon at this time

16. Scientific Law or Principle
A summarizing statement about the relationship of natural quantities.
Example
F = ma is Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion

17. A Scientific Theory Is…
The current best accepted explanation about a phenomenon in the natural world
Weighty
Exhausts all current knowledge gained
Huge deal
Not easily replaced
Growing body of work
Is Not
An opinion
Unchanging Fact
Hypothesis
Trivial

18. A Scientific Law Is… A summary of something observed in nature Fact
Often expressed as an equation
Is Not
An opinion
Hypothesis
Trivial
A theory
An explanation

19. A Scientific Model
Is…
A representation of something in nature or the real world for study
Can be scale or real size
Can be a computer model or a tangible model, mathematical model, graphic organizer, predictive tool
Is Not
An opinion
Hypothesis
A theory
The real thing or event

20. Significance of a Scientific Theory
It has been extensively tested through scientific investigation and never disproven
It grows slowly through contributions from many investigators.
Can be replaced if new evidence is discovered
Is this a strength or a weakness?

21. F = ma Significance of a Law vs. Newton’s Theory of Motion
A law summarizes, does not try to explain
Sometimes is represented by an equation
explanation
vs.
F = ma
Newton’s Theory of Motion
Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion

22. Scientific Hypothesis
An educated guess that can be tested.
Example
If the mass on a cart is increased, then the cart’s rate of acceleration will decrease given the same force.

23. Significance of a Scientific Hypothesis
Drives the scientific process
Has not been proved
Can be adjusted and retested depending on the outcome of the first test

24. SCIENTIFIC MODEL
A representation of an object or event that can be studied so that the real object or event can be understood.
Examples:
A globe
Computer models for hurricanes

25. Significance of Models
A model can be tested by comparing its predictions to actual observations in the real world.
Can use scientific method by changing one variable to see how it affects the other variable(s).
A close match does not necessarily mean that the model is the only “true” model or the only one that would work.

26. Theory vs…law/hypothesis/model
Theory is an explanation that has been proved through testing
Law is a summary (often expressed as an equation)
Hypothesis is an question or educated guess that can be tested (but has not been tested)
A model is a representation of something that can be used to study it.

27. Scientific Theory
A synthesis of a large body of information that encompasses well-tested and verified hypotheses about aspects of the natural world.
An explanation that evolves over time
Tested, but never disproven.
Sometimes replaced if new evidence is discovered
Example:
Atomic theory explains the atom

28. Scientific Law or Principle
A general hypothesis or statement about the relationship of natural quantities that has been tested repeatedly and has not been contradicted.
Summarizes
Sometimes is represented by an equation
Example:
F = ma is Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion

29. Scientific Hypothesis
An educated guess that can be tested.
A reasonable explanation
Has not been proven
Requires testing
Example:
If the mass on a cart is increased, then the cart’s rate of acceleration will decrease given the same force.

30. Identifying Variables in a Scientific Hypothesis
The three variables are underlined.
Independent variable
Dependent variable
If the mass on a cart is increased, then the cart’s rate of acceleration will decrease given the same force.
Control variable
The if statement shows independent variable, the then statement shows the dependent variable.

31. Variables
Explain how the dependent and independent variables are different.

32. Scientific Method
Each table is responsible for writing the steps of the scientific method.
List steps on paper provided

33. Science Terms—Section 1.4
Everyone take one sheet of loose leaf and cut as shown.
Label each panel formed with the following terms
Fact
Theory
Law or Principle
Hypothesis
Define each term. Learn how each term is different. Work with your table members.