Chapter 1
Science Skills
1.1 What is Science?
 Throughout history, humans have had a
strong sense of curiosity.
 Science: is a system of knowledge (process)
and the methods you use to find that
knowledge.
 Goal of science is to understand the world
around us
 Science begins with curiosity and ends with
discovery.
 Scientific Method
1.1
 Technology: is the use of knowledge to solve
practical problems.
 Long Distance Communication = Telephone
 Time consuming math calculations =
calculator
 Science and technology are interdependent.
Advances in one lead to advances in another.
 Example Evolution of telephones… page 3
1.1 Branches of Science
 Natural Science:
 can be broken down into 3 branches. (make a
graphic organizer using Inspiration)
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1. Physical Science: focuses on non-living things.
Physical Science can be broken down into 2 fields:
 Chemistry: is the study of the composition,
structure, properties, and reactions of matter.
Physics: is the study of matter and energy
and the interactions between the two through
forces and motion.
1.1 Branches of Science
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2. Earth and Space: is the study of Earth and
space by applying chemistry and physics.
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Geology: is the study of the origin, history,
and structure of Earth.
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Astronomy: is the study of the universe
beyond Earth, including the sun, moon,
planets, and stars.
3. Life
Science or Biology: is the study of living
things (life science)
Zoology= animals
Botany= plants
1.1 Big Ideas of Physical Science
 The universe – very old and very big.
 The universe – mostly space.
 Matter: anything that takes up space
(has both mass and volume)
 All matter – made of atoms.
 World – full of forces and motion.
 Energy exists in many forms.
1.2 Scientific Method
 Scientific Method: organized plan for
gathering, organizing, and communicating
information.
(A systematic approach
to problem solving)
 Objective: judgment without bias or
prejudice (detatched) (without emotion)
 Subjective: judgment with bias, feelings,
emotions, and or prejudices
 Scientifc method should be OBJECTIVE!
 The goal of science– to solve a problem
to better understand an observed event.
(The world around us)
Steps of the Scientific Method
1. State the problem/Form Question:
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2.
Gather Information: gathering information
using your senses. (observations & research)
1.2 Scientific Method
3. Form a hypothesis:
 Hypothesis: proposed answer to a
problem.
(If –then statement)
 Must be testable
 Good Words = hypothesize, suggest,
propose
 Bad words = think, believe, in my
opinion
1.2 Scientific Method
4. Testing a Hypothesis:
 Experiments test the hypothesis.
 Variable: any factor that can
change during an experiment.
 Manipulated/ independent variable: is the
variable we (scientists) change intentionally.
 Responding/dependent variable: changes in
response to the manipulated variable. (what we
measure)
 Constant: parts of ex. that don’t change
 Control: doesn’t contain the manipulated variable
Graphing Independent/dependent
variables
 Normal graph: The x-axis is the
independent variable and the y-axis is the
dependent variable.
Variables:
Independent Variable: Type
of Band-Aid
Dependent Variable: Time
it takes Band-Aid to fall off
Review of variables
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A good experiment attempts to control all variables except the variable(s)
that are being manipulated to see if a change can be observed and a cause
and effect relationship can be reasoned
Variable A property or condition that can change. A variable may or may
not cause a significant change.
Manipulated variable is the variable that the experimenter decides to
change to see if there is or is not an effect.
Responding variable is the variable that will change as a result of the
change in the manipulated variable. It may also be observed and or
measured to determine the quantity or quality of change.
When we plot information on a graph the manipulated variable always is
plotted on the X - axis and the responding variable is always plotted on the
Y - axis.
Independent variable is another name for manipulated variable. It is
independently selected by the experimenter to be manipulated.
Dependent variable is watched by the experimenter and will respond to the
manipulated or independent variable if there is a relationship.
These relationships can be represented on a chart or graph:
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Controlled Experiment: only one manipulated
variable is deliberately changed at a time.
(everything else stays the same)
Data: information gathered
 Measurements (time, length, width, mass,
temp, volume, density, etc)
 Observations (color, size, shape, texture)
(Tables, graphs, pie charts, lists, etc.)
1.2 Scientific Method
5. Analyzing Data
 Scientists decide if data supports the
hypothesis
 Tables, graphs, etc. show other people
what happened
6. Conclusion:
 Is a summary of exp. with results
 If data doesn’t support hypothesis, then
revise it & test again
 If data supports the hypothesis, test again
to validate results
1.2 Scientific Method
7. Developing a Theory:
 Scientific Theory: a well-tested explanation
for a set of observations or experimental
results.
 Theories are supported, not proven
 Scientific Law: statement that summarizes
a pattern found in nature.
 Describes an observed pattern without
trying to explain it. Ex. Gravity.
1.2 Scientific Models
 Scientific models: used to understand things that are
too difficult to observe directly.
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Model of the atom
Model of the universe
Model of a city
Model cars/planes
1.3 Measurement
 Scientific notation – Makes it easier to work
with very large or very small numbers
 Multiples of 10
 Negative exponent = less than 1
 Positive exponent = greater than 1
Practice
 Write the following in scientific
notation/normal number.
 1. 2300.00
 2. 1.635 X 10-2
 3. .0035
 4. 5.67 X 105
1.3 SI Units (Metric System)
 Scientists use SI (International System)
 Length: straight-line distance between 2
points (measured with ruler/m. stick)
 Mass: amount of matter in an object
(measured with scale/balance)
 Volume: amount of space an object takes up
 Formulas on study sheet (box, cyl, irr.)
 Solids = cm3
 Liquids = mL
 Open book to page 16
 Base units (Page 16)
 Derived Units (Page 16)
 Density: mass per unit of volume
 D=m/v
1.3 Measurement
 Metric Prefixes
 Conversion Factor: is a ratio (fraction) of
equal measurements used for a conversion
 1 km = 1,000 m
 1 m = 100 cm
 1 m = 1,000 mm
 Example Problems
1.3 Limits of Measurement
 Precision: is how exact a measurement is
 Significant digits: are all the digits in a
measurement, plus the last estimated digit.
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The more significant digits = more precise
 Accuracy: closeness to the actual
measurement
 Temperature: measured with a thermometer
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Temperature table: pg. 20
1.4 Presenting Scientific Data
 Scientists organize data into tables and
graphs
 Data Table: information arranged into a table,
this info can then be expressed as:
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Line Graph- good to show change in variables,
Slope (rise/run) shows a relationship between
manipulated variable & responding variable)
Bar Graph- good to compare groups
Circle (pie)- good to show a part compared to
the whole group (percentages)
1.4 Presenting Scientific Data
 Scientists can communicate scientific results
by writing in scientific journals or speaking at
science conferences
 Peer Review: is when a scientific experiment
or project is reviewed by a board of scientists
before getting published
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This shows that the project is valid