Introduction to Science 1 – The Nature of Science 2 – The Way Science Works 3 – Organizing Data
Key Terms Science – Knowledge obtained by observing natural events and conditions to learn facts, principles, laws Technology – Application of science for practical purposes Law – A descriptive statement or equation that predicts events under certain conditions Theory – System of ideas explaining related observations and supported by evidence
How Science Takes Place A scientist may perform experiments to find a new aspect of the natural world, to explain a known phenomenon, to check the results of other experiments, or to test predictions of current theories Examples – New materials for computer chips that make processing speeds/phones more advanced
How Science Takes Place Examples – TVs were built after the early cathode ray tubes were developed in the late 19 th century
Observe
Branches of Science Natural Science: Biological, Physical, Earth
Working Together Different branches of science work together, along with technology – Example: Applying newer computer- chip materials into actual designs ( Razr, self-cooled labtops )
Laws & Theories – Always Tested Laws allow predictions to be made about how a system will behave under given conditions – GRAVITY Theories explain HOW a process takes place – PLATE TECTONICS
Models Mathematics is useful to describe events – Gravity has an equation
Models Models can represent physical events Used in daily life – Hurricane trajectories – Weather predictions
BELLWORK : 8/20/12 Which popcorn is the better deal?
Last Week Discussed the fundamental nature of science Also worked on observation skills Anyone observe something interesting over the weekend?
Introduction to Science 1 – The Nature of Science 2 – The Way Science Works 3 – Organizing Data
2 – The Way Science Works
Science Skills Identifying problems Planning experiments Recording observations Correctly reporting data
Critical Thinking Involves asking questions, making observations, and using logic Surprise!!
BELLWORK : 8/20/12 Which popcorn is the better deal? Discuss
Units of Measurement In your notes, list 5 you can think of. Do these relate to length, mass, weight, time, volume
Units of Measurement Scientists use standard units of measure – SI System Meters, grams, Seconds
Units of Measurement SI ( System Internationale ) used for consistency Prefixes allow for easy converting EXAMPLES: m km kg g seconds milliseconds
Exit Pass – Unit Conversions Study Guide – Pg 3 Problem 3 Remaining Time – Problems 1, 5 & 6
Bellwork – 08/21/12 Study Guide – Pg 3 Problem 3 Finished? – Questions 1, 5 & 6
Help with # 1, pg 3 Microscopes – magnify ( make larger ) small objects Telescopes – magnify objects far away Radio telescope – detect radio waves from objects Spectroscopes – separate light into a rainbow Ruler – finds length
Key Terms Variable – A factor changing in an experiment Length – Measure of the straight-line distance between two points Volume – The space occupied by an object Mass – Amount of matter in an object Weight – Amount of gravitational force on object
Scientific Method – Use Colors!! Notice there is more than time where you observe
Are They The Same? Are they the same? - Hypothesis How can we test your hypothesis?
Bellwork – 8/23/12 Study Guide Finish pg. 3 - #2, #4
Introduction to Science 1 – The Nature of Science 2 – The Way Science Works 3 – Organizing Data
Presenting Scientific Data Scientists use written reports and oral presentations To share results Organizing/Presenting this info is important
Line Graphs Show continuous changes Time : Independent Variable (x-axis) Doesn’t DEPEND on anything Gas Volume : Dependent Variable (y-axis) Depends on something else
Demonstration Gas-Producing Reaction Lots of gas at first, then slows down Adding Vinegar to Baking Soda makes CO 2
Bar Graphs Compares similar data for different items or events
Pie Chart Graphs Shows parts of a whole ( or parts of 100% )
Precision & Accuracy Precision: the exactness of a measurement Accuracy: how close a measurement is to the true value