Science Chapter 1

Science Science What is science? Science is an organized way of using evidence to learn about the natural world. It is also the body of knowledge that scientists have built up after years of using this process. It deals only in the natural world Scientists collect and organize information, and look for patterns and connections between events. Propose explanations that can be tested by examining the evidence.

What is the goal of science? It is to investigate and understand nature, explain events in nature, and to use those explanations to make useful predictions. Summary

The Scientific Method Scientific Method The scientific method is a logical approach to the solution of a scientific problem. Steps in the scientific method include making observations, proposing and testing hypothesis, and developing theories.

Steps of the Scientific Method Steps to the scientific method Hypothesis Observation: It involves using your senses – sight, hearing, touch, smell, and sometimes taste- to gather information. 2. Stating the Problem : Making a question about the observations. 3. Forming a Hypothesis Possible answer to a scientific question (Problem) or a set of observations based on your own experience/knowledge. Must be able to test it

4. Setting Up a Controlled Experiment How do you set up a controlled experiment? How do scientists test Hypothesis? Controlled experiment Variable 4. Setting Up a Controlled Experiment The controlled experiment tests hypothesis Controlled experiment is an experiment in which only one variable is tested. Variables = factors in an experiment that can change.

5. Recording and Analyzing Results Data How scientist display their data? 5. Recording and Analyzing Results Scientist keep records of their observations or data. Information gathered from observations is called evidence or data. Scientists display their data by using graphs, tables, drawings, etc. Today, they also use computers to analyze their data.

6. Drawing a conclusion. Using data/evidence from the experiment, a conclusion is formed. If conclusion rejects hypothesis, then a new hypothesis must be formed. After the conclusion, the scientists publish their results so other scientist can test their conclusions.

Theory: After several experiments in which the hypothesis has been accepted, the hypothesis may become a theory. Scientific Theory = a well tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations. Supported with lots of evidence. Popular theory = an idea not supported with evidence Distinguish between hypothesis and theory. Scientific theory Difference between scientific theory and popular theory. Popular theory

4th Set up a controlled Experiment The scientific method 1st Make observation 2nd State the Problem 3rd Form a Hypothesis 4th Set up a controlled Experiment 5th Analyze results 6th Draw conclusion 7th Theory