P HYSICAL S CIENCE What is Science?

W HAT IS S CIENCE Science is an ongoing process to learn more about the world around us. Science is both the activity of “doing science” and the body of ideas and theories we learn about.

W HAT IS S CIENCE The goal of science is to: investigate and understand the natural world, explain events in the natural world, and use those explanations to make useful predictions.

P HYSICAL S CIENCE Physical science is a branch of science that focuses on the nonliving parts of the world around you. It deals with matter and energy

N ATURE OF S CIENCE Characteristics of Science: Science is… Empirical: based on data and observations Tentative: changes over time or with new evidence Creative: use imagination to form explanations Subjective: each person uses their background knowledge and previous experiences

T HINKING LIKE A S CIENTIST Observation: the process of gathering information about events or processes in a careful, orderly way Usually involves the senses Information collected is called data

T HINKING LIKE A S CIENTIST Qualitative data: descriptive, involve characteristics (or qualities) that can not usually be counted Example: hair color Quantitative data: can be expressed by numbers, “quantity” Example: height

T HINKING LIKE A S CIENTIST Data gained through observations is used to make inferences Inference: a logical interpretation based on prior knowledge or experience

T RICKY T RACKS Practice with Observation and Inference What do you observe?

T RICKY T RACKS What do you observe? What is going on?

T RICKY T RACKS Inference: a logical interpretation based on prior knowledge or experience Did you make an inference about what is going on in these pictures? How is an inference different from an observation?

S CIENCE AS A WAY OF KNOWING Science changes  it is an ongoing process that involves asking questions, observing, making inferences, and testing ideas Advances in technology influence the advancement of science

T HE S CIENTIFIC M ETHOD It is a general procedure scientists use to conduct an investigation It is a organized way to investigate answers to scientific questions Scientific method cannot be used for every study/experiment. Sometimes we are limited to making observations Example-field studies

T HE S CIENTIFIC M ETHOD 1. Ask a Question. All scientific investigations start with one or more questions. -why? -how?

T HE S CIENTIFIC M ETHOD 2. Gather more information. Learn as much as you can about the subject. You can use… -experts, -internet (be careful!), -books, etc. to conduct research.

T HE S CIENTIFIC M ETHOD 3. Form a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a statement that you can test. Relates the manipulated variable and the responding variable. Can use a “If _______, then _________” form

T HE S CIENTIFIC M ETHOD 4. Plan and conduct an experiment. Change (test) only one variable at a time. All other variables are held constant. Use a control group for a standard to compare experimental group(s) to.

T HE S CIENTIFIC M ETHOD 5. Collect and analyze data. Determine what types of data you need to collect. What sort of measurements do you need to make? What things do you need to observe? Organize your data into tables or charts!

T HE S CIENTIFIC M ETHOD 6. Draw conclusions. Was the hypothesis supported or rejected? Note: You cannot “prove” a hypothesis, you can only “disprove” a hypothesis. Discuss possible sources of error, experimental results.

V ARIABLES What are variables? The different factors in an experiment. Manipulated variables: The thing you purposely change during an experiment. AKA independent variable Responding variables: The thing that changes as an effect of the manipulated variable. AKA dependent variable Controlled variables: The factors you keep constant (the same)

1. If a student chooses to not study, then they will earn a poor grade. 2. If you drink Gatorade before a soccer game, then you will score more goals. 3. If you increase the mechanical advantage of a pulley system used to move an object, then the input force becomes less. independent variable dependent variable independent variable dependent variable independent variable dependent variable I DENTIFYING T HE V ARIABLES

P RACTICE You wish to test whether “Gulp Alive” fish attractant helps you catch more bass while fishing on your favorite lake. To do this, you fish in your favorite bass spot with a black plastic worm. You fish for a half an hour and count how many fish you catch. After a half an hour, you switch to a replica of the first plastic worm, but this time you spray “Gulp Alive” on it. Fishing in the same spot with the same pole, line, and retrieve you count how many fish you catch in a half an hour. To your surprise, you do not notice an increase your catch

P RACTICE Identify the following in the experiment below: I.V = D.V = Constants = Experimental Group = Control Group =

P RACTICE Identify the following in the experiment below: I.V = Gulp Alive Spray D.V = Constants = Experimental Group = Control Group =

P RACTICE Identify the following in the experiment below: I.V = Gulp Alive Spray D.V = Number of fish caught Constants = Experimental Group = Control Group =

P RACTICE Identify the following in the experiment below: I.V = Gulp Alive Spray D.V = Number of fish caught Constants = Spot, line, pole, plastic worm Experimental Group = Control Group =

P RACTICE Identify the following in the experiment below: I.V = Gulp Alive Spray D.V = Number of fish caught Constants = Spot, line, pole, plastic worm Experimental Group = Worm w/Gulp Alive Control Group =

P RACTICE Identify the following in the experiment below: I.V = Gulp Alive Spray D.V = Number of fish caught Constants = Spot, line, pole, plastic worm Experimental Group = Worm w/Gulp Alive Control Group = Worm w/o Gulp Alive