1. the nature of science
chapter 1

2. What is Science?
a process that uses observation and investigation to gain knowledge about events in nature
Science studies natural patterns.
Scientists ask questions to learn about the natural world.

3. Categories of Science Life Science Earth Science Physical Science
studies living things
Earth Science
studies earth and space
Physical Science
studies matter and energy

4. Science Explains Nature
Sometimes these explanations evolve over time as new information or technology arises.

5. Investigations
Scientists perform investigations to learn about the world.
observations
experimentations
modeling

6. Scientific Methods Organized set of investigation procedures.
State the Problem
Gather Information
Form a hypothesis
Test the hypothesis
Analyze Data
Draw Conclusions

7. Steps of the Scientific Method
State the Problem
Gather Information
Form a hypothesis
an educated guess
a possible explanation for what is happening based on what you know and observe
Test the hypothesis
Experiment

8. Experiments
Test the effect of one thing on another using controlled conditions
Variables
Things that have the potential to change in an experiment
Constants
Things that don’t change in an experiment
Control
A standard that you can use to compare your results

9. Variables Independent Variable Dependent Variable DRY MIX
the variable that YOU change on purpose
Dependent Variable
the variable that changes because of what you did
the variable you are going to measure
DRY MIX

10. Steps of the scientific Method
Analyze the Data
make graphs/charts
do calculations
Draw Conclusions
must be based on evidence
must match your original problem
must not contain BIAS
keep records, measure, repeat the experiment

11. Models Represents an idea, event or object Physical Technological
simulations

12. Theories and Laws
Scientific Law – a statement about what happens in nature that seems to be true all the time
Answers the question “What happens?”
Theory – an explanation of what is happening based on many observations and tests
Answers the question “Why is that happening?”

13. Technology
Science applied to help people

14. Limitations of Science
Science can only answer questions about the physical world.
Science is not perfect and is never final.
Science should be considered as the best thoughts we have on the natural world right now. It is not truth.
God’s word is truth.

15. Units and Standards
Standard – exact quantity that people agree to use to compare measurements
All measurements must have a number and a unit

16. International System of Units (SI)
Length = meter
Mass = kilogram
Time = second
Current = ampere
Temperature = kelvin
English 
Metric 
Based on multiples of ten
Uses prefixes to tell “how many”
King Henry Died by drinking chocolate milk

17. Common Measurements Length Volume Mass Density
distance between two points
Volume
amount of space an object occupies
Mass
amount of matter in an object
Density
mass per unit volume (D = m/V)

18. Temperature
Measured on the Kelvin scale
K = Celsius + 273

19. Graphs Visual display of information or data
Line graphs show relationships between variables
Choose the scale so your graph can be readable.
DRY MIX
Units of measurement must be the same

20. Bar Graphs
Used for comparing information you have counted.

21. Circle Graphs
Used to show how a “whole” can be broken into its individual parts.