Basic Science Terms
DOING SCIENCE
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Science starts with a question.
Science assumes that the universe is orderly
and can be explained.
Science is unbiased (objective).
Basic Science Terms
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Science
Technology
Branches of science
Physics
Theory
Law
Hypothesis
Model
Science
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The study and
pursuit of
knowledge about
the natural world.
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Example
A physicist tries to
understand how the
Sun gives us light.
Significance of Science
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The search for knowledge adds to our
understanding of the physical world.
Scientists want to know!
Science affects society by
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stimulating thought
satisfying curiosity
influencing views of the world
providing knowledge necessary for new
technological advances
Technology
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The application of
science to meet
human needs.
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Example
Designing and building
solar panels for
alternative energy
automobiles
Significance of Technology
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Put the findings of science to use
Try to solve practical problems
New technology often leads to new
discoveries and the advancement of
science
Examples of Technologies that led to the
Advancement of Science
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Telescope…used to discover new planets,
moons and stars
Microscope…used to discover
microorganisms that cause disease, such
as bubonic plague
Internet and computer…processing a huge
amount of data in a matter of seconds
The Branches and Disciplines of Science
Natural Science
Life Science
Physical Science
1. Biology
1. Physics
2. Zoology
2. Chemistry
3. Botany
Earth Science
1. Geology
2. Meteorology
The branches of science are separate, yet
integrated.
Physical Science
Earth Science
Life Science
Science disciplines
physics
meteorology
chemistry
paleontology
biology
astronomy
geology
Significance of Branches of Science
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Separate, but integrated
Example: the study of fossils requires an
understanding of geology and biology!
Branches of Natural Science
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Earth Science
Life Science
Physical science: Chemistry and Physics.
What is Chemistry?
Chemistry is the study of matter and how it changes.
What is physics?
What is Physics?
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The study of
motion, forces and
energy.
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“The entire universe
is built upon of the
principles revealed by
a study of physics.”
-Andrew Zimmerman
Jones
Significance of Physics
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Foundation for other sciences.
Everything around us is affected by it.
Explains phenomena such as orbiting
satellites, weightlessness, lightning, sonic
booms, magnetism and energy
transformations.
Scientific Theory
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 Examples
A synthesis of a
large body of
information that
encompasses well- Atomic theory explains the
atom
tested and verified
hypotheses about
Plate Tectonics explains the
aspects of the
formation of volcanoes,
natural world.
earthquakes and
mountains
It represents the best explanation about a
natural phenomenon at this time
Scientific Law or Principle
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A summarizing
statement about
the relationship of
natural quantities.
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Example
F = ma is Newton’s
2nd Law of Motion
A Scientific Theory
Is…
 The current best
accepted explanation
about a phenomenon
in the natural world
 Weighty
 Exhausts all current
knowledge gained
 Huge deal
 Not easily replaced
 Growing body of work
Is Not
 An opinion
 Unchanging Fact
 Hypothesis
 Trivial
A Scientific Law
Is…
 A summary of
something observed
in nature
 Fact
 Often expressed as
an equation
Is Not
 An opinion
 Hypothesis
 Trivial
 A theory
 An explanation
A Scientific Model
Is…
 A representation of
something in nature
or the real world for
study
 Can be scale or real
size
 Can be a computer
model or a tangible
model, mathematical
model, graphic
organizer, predictive
tool
Is Not
 An opinion
 Hypothesis
 A theory
 The real thing or
event
Significance of a Scientific Theory
It has been extensively tested through
scientific investigation and never
disproven
 It grows slowly through contributions
from many investigators.
 Can be replaced if new evidence is
discovered
 Is this a strength or a weakness?
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Significance of a Law
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A law summarizes, does not try to explain
Sometimes is represented by an equation
explanation
vs.
Newton’s Theory
of Motion
F = ma
Newton’s 2nd
Law of Motion
Scientific Hypothesis
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An educated guess
that can be tested.
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Example
If the mass on a
cart is increased,
then the cart’s
rate of
acceleration will
decrease given the
same force.
Significance of a Scientific Hypothesis
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Drives the scientific process
Has not been proved
Can be adjusted and retested depending on
the outcome of the first test
SCIENTIFIC MODEL
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A representation of
an object or event
that can be studied
so that the real
object or event can
be understood.
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Examples:
A globe
Computer models for
hurricanes
Significance of Models
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A model can be tested by comparing its
predictions to actual observations in the real
world.
Can use scientific method by changing one
variable to see how it affects the other
variable(s).
A close match does not necessarily mean
that the model is the only “true” model or the
only one that would work.
Theory vs…law/hypothesis/model
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Theory is an explanation that has been
proved through testing
Law is a summary (often expressed as an
equation)
Hypothesis is an question or educated guess
that can be tested (but has not been tested)
A model is a representation of something that
can be used to study it.
Scientific Theory
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A synthesis of a large body of information
that encompasses well-tested and verified
hypotheses about aspects of the natural
world.
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An explanation that evolves over time
Tested, but never disproven.
Sometimes replaced if new evidence is
discovered
Example:
Atomic theory explains the atom
Scientific Law or Principle
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A general hypothesis or statement about the
relationship of natural quantities that has
been tested repeatedly and has not been
contradicted.
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Summarizes
Sometimes is represented by an equation
Example:
F = ma
Motion
is Newton’s 2nd Law of
Scientific Hypothesis
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An educated guess that can be tested.
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A reasonable explanation
Has not been proven
Requires testing
Example:
If the mass on a cart is increased, then
the cart’s rate of acceleration will
decrease given the same force.
Identifying Variables in a Scientific
Hypothesis
The three variables
are underlined.
Independent
variable
Dependent
variable
If the mass on a cart is increased,
then the cart’s rate of acceleration will
decrease given the same force.
The if statement shows independent variable, the
then statement shows the dependent variable.
Control variable
Variables
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Explain how the dependent and independent
variables are different.
Scientific Method
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Each table is responsible for writing the steps
of the scientific method.
List steps on paper provided
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUQUqV0_PTc&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Iv70Fzxxjw&feature=related
Science Terms—Section 1.4
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Everyone take one sheet of loose leaf and cut as
shown.
Label each panel formed with the following terms
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Fact
Theory
Law or Principle
Hypothesis
Define each term. Learn how each term is different.
Work with your table members.