1. Chapter One
Science Skills
pages 2-31

2. What Is Science? (Section 1)
Science is a system of knowledge and the techniques used to find that knowledge.
Science begins with curiosity and many times ends with discovery.
Technology is the application of knowledge to solve realistic problems.
Science and Technology are mutually supporting. Progress in one leads to improvements in another.

3. Branches of Science
Social science and natural science are the two main categories of science.
Branches of Natural Science: Physical, Earth/Space and Life

4. I. Physical science. covers two main areas: chemistry and physics
A) Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure, properties and reactions of matter.
B) Physics is the study of matter and energy and the interactions between the two through forces and motion.

5. The Big Ideas of Physical Science!
Space and Time
Matter and Change
Forces and Motion

6. Other areas of Science
II. Geology and Astronomy are the foundations of Earth Science.
III. Biology is the study of all living things.

7. Scientific Method State the problem after making an observation
Gather information through observations
Form a hypothesis (prediction)

8. Scientific Method cont…
Test the hypothesis through experiments
Record, organize, and analyze data
(Repeat)
State the conclusion

9. Scientific Theory
Theory: the most logical explanation for events that occur in nature. EX: Death of Dinosaurs, Evolution of a Species, etc.

10. Scientific Law summarizes a pattern found in nature
describes this pattern without trying to explain it; a law cannot be broken. EX: Gravity, Newton’s Laws of Motion, etc.
Scientific Model: a representation of an object or event that makes it easier to understand things that are too difficult to observe directly.

11. 1.3 Measurement
The Metric System (revised as the Systéme International d’Unités): standard measuring system used by scientists to measure length, volume, mass, density, and temperature.
Scientific notation: a way of representing numbers that are very large or very small. (Examples on board)

12. Examples of Units (page 16)
SI Base Units
Measurement Unit
length meter (~39.36 inches)
mass kilogram (~2.2 lbs.)
temperature Kelvin
Derived Units
density g/ml, kg/L, or g/cm3
volume m3, Liter

13. Mass
Beginning with the largest rider, slide it one notch at a time until the pointer drops below zero
Repeat with the smaller two slides until the pointer comes to rest at zero

14. Volume: Graduated Cylinder
When using a graduated cylinder, always make your reading from eye level
Take the reading from the bottom of the meniscus (the bubble looking thing on the top of the liquid)

15. Density the ratio between an object’s mass and its volume:
Density = mass/volume
D = m ÷ v
Example: Determine the density of an object that is grams and has a volume of 28.6 cm3. SHOW WORK
2.99 g/ cm3

16. Definitions/examples:
Mass: the amount of matter in an object
Volume: the amount of space an object takes up
Example #2: Determine the density of a bouncy ball that has a mass of 1.35 grams and a volume of 1.89cm3.
0.71g/cm3

17. More examples:
Example #3: What is the volume of a stone that has a mass of grams and a density of 2.2 g/mL?
5.3 mL
Example #4: The volume of a block is cm3, while its density is 4.5 g/cm3. What is the block’s mass?
582.3 g

18. Metric system cont…
*** Prefixes page 17(know kilo-, centi-, and milli-)
Conversion factor(metric conversions): a ratio of equivalent measurements that is used to convert a quantity expressed in one unit to a quantity expressed in another unit.
Ex 1: 3 kg = ? grams
Ex 2: 5 km = ? cm
EX 3: 150 cc = ? L

19. More on Measurements: Precision vs. Accuracy
Precision: a gauge of how close measured values are to one another.
Accuracy: the closeness of measured values to the target value.
Significant figures: all the digits that are known for certain in a measured value plus one estimated digit.

20. Measuring Temperature
Celsius(Centigrade) thermometer: used to determine temperature; based on the fact that water freezes at 0o C and boils at
100o C.
Alcohol and mercury are commonly used as the liquid medium within a Celsius thermometer.

21. Temperature conversions:
oC = 5/9(oF-32o )
oF = 9/5(oC) + 32o
K = oC + 273
EX: What is normal body temperature on the Celsius temperature scale? Kelvin? SHOW WORK

22. Presenting Scientific Data
Line graphs are useful in showing changes that occur in related variables.
Slope = rise/run
The manipulated variable, independent variable, is plotted on the x-axis
The responding variable, dependent variable, is plotted on the y-axis.

23. Line Graphs cont…
Direct relationship: a relationship that is constant between two variables; positive slope.

24. More on line graphs…
Inverse(Indirect) relationship: a relationship in which the product of the two variables is constant; when one variable increases the other one decreases.

25. Bar Graph
A bar graph can be used to compare a set of measurements, amounts or changes.

26. Circle (Pie) Graphs
A circle graph, or pie chart, shows how a part of something relates to the whole.

27. Communicating Data
What are some ways, scientists all over the world, can communicate with one another?
Internet
Writing journal articles
Speaking at conferences
Conversations