CPO Science
Foundations of Physics
Chapter 1
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Science of Physics
 1.1 The Science of Physics
 1.2 The Development of Scientific
Knowledge
 1.3 Physics is Useful
Chapter 1 Objectives
1. Describe the process of inquiry and the
relationship between inquiry and learning
science.
2. Describe the difference between matter and
energy.
3. Explain the relationship between a theory, a
hypothesis and an experiment.
4. Describe how scientific evidence is used to
judge truth.
5. Describe at least three examples of how physics
knowledge is used in a career or occupation
outside of physics.
Chapter 1 Vocabulary Terms
 natural law
 theory
 process
 energy
 analysis
 matter
 inquiry
 scientific evidence
 hypothesis
 objectivity
 experiment
 repeatability
*Read Chapter One as an introduction.
There is no accompanying investigation.
1.1 The Science of Physics
Three fundamental aspects of Physics:
1. Describing the organization of the universe.
 matter and energy
2. Understanding the natural laws that govern the
universe.
 belief that all events follow a set of laws that do
not change
3. Deducing and applying natural laws.
 science as a process
1.1 The Science of Physics
Matter and Energy
*The universe consists of only matter and
energy
1.1 The Science of Physics
Inquiry and Observation
*We will explore Physics using inquiry through
observation.
1.1 Inquiry
Three valuable things are learned by
discovering the natural laws
through inquiry:
1. It includes very practical knowledge.
2. Once you know how something
generally works, you can often figure out
how to make it work for you.
3. You will learn to solve real-life problems.
Using Problem Solving Techniques
 Step 1
— Determine what the problem asks you
to find out.
 Step 2
— Identify the information you are given.
 Step 3
— Identify laws or relationships.
 Step 4
— Apply the given information and the
relationships.
Foundations of Physics Units
1.2 Development of Scientific Knowledge
Models, Evidence, Analysis and Theories
1.2 Development of Scientific Knowledge
Importance of Experiments
 We use experiments to test and evaluate theories.
1.2 Development of Scientific Knowledge
Scientific Evidence
Images and sketches
Measurements and data
Graphs and charts
1.2 Development of Scientific Knowledge
Scientific Knowledge and the Solar System
Early civilizations
believed the Earth
was covered by a
dome on which the
sun, stars and
planets moved.
In the Middle Ages,
people thought the
sun, stars and
planets circled the
Earth.
Today we know the
earth and planets
orbit the sun.
1.3 Physics is Useful
 Engineering
 Medicine and health
professions
1.3 Physics is Useful
 Business and finance
 Art, music, and food
1.3 Physics is Useful
 The relationship
between physics and
other fields of science