Science Basics

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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)

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

= = = 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