1. Chapter 1: The Nature of Science
Section 1: The Methods of Science
Section 2: Standards of Measurement
Section 3: Communicating with Graphs
Section 4: Science and Technology

2. Section 1: The Methods of Science
What is science? Science is a process that uses observation and investigation to gain knowledge about events in nature Science explains nature – science helps you understand the natural world Scientists learn about the natural world by performing investigations Investigations can be field studies or lab experiments

3. Section 1: The Methods of Science
The Scientific Method
An organized problem solving procedure
Must have a specific question or problem
Depending on the nature of the investigation, not all steps need to be used
Communicating the results of the investigation is a critical part of science. It allows others to test and confirm your results.
Vocabulary: hypothesis, variable, dependent variable, independent variable, constant, control

4. Section 1: The Methods of Science
Scientific Theories and Laws
Scientific theory – an explanation of things or events based on knowledge gained from observations and investigations Examples: Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, Darwin’s Theory of Evolution
Scientific law – a statement about what happens in nature and that seems true all the time. Example: The Law of Universal Gravitation A scientific law never explains why or how the law is true
Science and Technology
Technology – the application of science to help people
Generally, scientific knowledge comes before the application of that knowledge Example: Experiments that showed light behaves as a particle (photon) occurred in the early 1900’s, today applications of this knowledge include CD players and laser scanners
Think about these questions: Do science and technology always produce positive results? Is a new technology always embraced by end users (people like you)?

5. Section 2: Standards of Measurement
The Metric System
Known as the International System of Units or SI
SI base units: distance = meter mass = gram volume = liter (fluid), = cm3 (solid) time = second temperature = Celsius  
Base units are used with prefixes to describe large or small quantities Prefixes indicate multiples of ten

6. Section 2: Standards of Measurement
Converting Between Units
A powerful problem solving tool called “Dimensional Analysis” guides a student to the correct solution to a problem
Example 1: 350-cm = ?-m
Solution:
We know : 100𝑐𝑚 𝑚 or 1𝑚 100𝑐𝑚 , these are the conversion factors for possible use in solving this problem.
We set the solution up as a multiplication problem using the conversion factor that will leave us with the unit of “meter” 350𝑐𝑚 1𝑚 100𝑐𝑚 = 350𝑐𝑚 𝑥 1𝑚 100𝑐𝑚 = 350𝑚 100 =𝟑.𝟓𝟎𝒎
Notice that the “cm” units cancel, and the unit remaining in the problem is meters, “m”. That is the dimensional analysis for this problem.
Hint: Always set up the problem so that the unit you are solving for is in the numerator of the conversion factor and the unit you want to get rid of is in the denominator of the factor.

7. Section 2: Standards of Measurement
Converting Between Units (cont.)
Example 2: 0.25kg = ? cg
Solution
There is no direct relationship between kilograms and centigrams, so the solution requires two steps – converting kilograms to grams and then converting grams to centigrams
Conversion factors for these units: 1000𝑔 1𝑘𝑔 , 1𝑘𝑔 1000𝑔 , 1𝑔 100𝑐𝑔 , and 100𝑐𝑔 1𝑔
Step 1: convert kilograms to grams 0.25𝑘𝑔 𝑔 1𝑘𝑔 = 0.25𝑘𝑔 𝑥1000𝑔 1𝑘𝑔 =250𝑔
Step 2: convert grams to centigrams 250𝑔 100𝑐𝑔 1𝑔 = 250𝑔 𝑥 100𝑐𝑔 1𝑔 =𝟐𝟓,𝟎𝟎𝟎𝒄𝒈
Notice that using the correct conversion factor and doing the dimensional analysis makes solving this difficult problem fairly easy.

8. Section 2: Standards of Measurement
Density
Density is the mass per unit volume of a material
Mass is the amount of matter in an object
Volume is the amount of space an object occupies
Volume of a liquid is measured in liters
Volume of a solid is measured in meters3 (or some multiple)
Different materials can have the same mass but different densities
The density of a substance can help identify the substance
The equation for density:
Typically, the unit for density will be g/cm3 or g/L

9. Section 2: Standards of Measurement
Example:
A block of wood 5 cm x 7.5 cm x 2.5 cm has a mass of 150 g. What is the density of the wood block?
Solution:
Your solution must include the following:
A list of the known variables and what you are solving for
The equation(s) used to solve the problem
All work and dimensional analysis.

10. Section 3: Communicating with Graphs
Many experiments and investigations result in the accumulation of a large quantity of numerical data. This data must be organized before it can be used to make any conclusions.
Graphs are used to organize numerical data.
There are three basic types of graphs:
Line graphs
Bar graphs
Pie graphs

11. Section 3: Communicating with Graphs
Line graphs – Show the relationship where the dependent variable changes as the independent variable changes
Dependent variable – factor that changes as the independent variable changes
Independent variable – factor that, as it changes, affects the measure of another variable
To create a line graph:
1. Determine which of the variables is the dependent variable and which in the independent variable 
2. Draw and label the x- and y-axis, placing the independent variable on the x-axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis 
3. Plot the coordinates 
4. Connect the points
Example: A lab assignment is to measure the change in water temperature over time as heat is applied to the water. The following data was collected. Graph the data.

12. Section 3: Communicating with Graphs
Bar graph – useful for comparing information by counting
Example: The results of the first test are summarized in the table below. Graph the results

13. Section 3: Communicating with Graphs
Pie graphs – used for comparing parts of a fixed quantity
To create a pie graph:
calculate % of total of each part
360o in a circle
apply % to 360o
measure, draw, and label graph
Example: Comparing the class sizes at Spearfish High School (total enrollment is 600 students)

14. Section 4: Science and Technology
Technology – the application of scientific knowledge to benefit people. Can be:
Any human made object
Methods or techniques for making any object or tool
Knowledge or skills needed to operate a human-made object
A system of people and objects used to do a particular task
Society and Technology
Society affects how new technologies develop:
If people support a new technology that technology will continue to be developed
Example: Alternative fuel automobiles, why is this technology being developed now instead of 40 years ago?
Economics and technology
Development of new technologies is funded by different sources including state and federal governments, private foundations, and private industries
Ethics and technology
Development of new technologies can pose ethical problems about their use
Example: The development of the atom bomb. Good thing: dropping the bombs shorten the war and prevented thousands of U.S. casualties. Bad thing: Resulted in the proliferation of nuclear bombs.
What are some moral or ethical issues that must be considered as new technologies are developed?