Introduction to
Physical
Science
Chapter 1 Lesson 1
Bellwork
Think/Pair/Share
• What is
science?
• What is
physical
science?
Vocabulary Preview
 Science
 Observing
 Qualitative
observation
 Quantitative observation
 Inferring
 Predicting
 Chemistry
 Physics
What is science?
 Science is a way of learning about the
natural world.
 Includes all of the knowledge gained by
exploring nature.
use the skills: observing,
inferring, and predicting to learn more
about the natural world.
 Scientists
Observing
 Using
the senses (sight, hearing, touch,
taste, smell) to gather information.
 Qualitative Observation: descriptions that
do not involve measurement or numbers.
 Think “Quality”
 Example – sugar tastes sweet
 Quantitative Observation: measurements
Think “Quantity”
 Example – I am 5’1” tall
Left Side ISN
Write your own examples of
qualitative and quantitative observations.
 Share!
Inferring
 When
you explain your observations you
are making an inference.
 Inferences are based on reasoning
 Observation
 Example-
+ Knowledge = Inference
Left Side ISN
Write your own example of an
inference. This can be created by you or
based on your previous experiences.
 Share!
Predicting
 Making
a forecast of what will happen in
the future based on past experience or
evidence.
 Predicting must be based on data
 Demonstration-
How does a ball bounce?
Physical Science
 The
study of matter, energy and the
changes they undergo. It has 2 branches.
 Chemistry: study of the properties of
matter and how matter changes.
 Example – flammability
 Physics:
study of matter and energy and
how they interact.
 Example - motion and forces
Reflection Questions
are the 3 skills scientists use to learn
about our world?
 What
 Contrast observations from inferences.
 Describe how qualitative and
quantitative observations differ and give 2
examples of each.
 Explain how you would use physical
science to cross a busy street.
Scientific
Inquiry
Chapter 1 Lesson 2
Bellwork
Think/Pair/Share
 What
characteristics of
scientific knowledge
make it a valid
explanation of
nature?
Vocabulary Preview
 Scientific
Inquiry
 Hypothesis
 Variable
 Manipulated (Independent) Variable
 Responding (Dependent) Variable
 Controlled Experiment
 Data
 Communicating
 Scientific Law
 Scientific Theory
What is Scientific Inquiry?
 The
different ways scientists study the
natural world.
 An ongoing process of discovery in
science.
 Scientists are: curious, skeptical, creative,
open-minded, and honest.
Which of these traits do you see in
yourself?
The process of Inquiry
Posing Questions
 The
scientific process starts with a question
or problem.
 Not all questions are scientific questions.
For example, “Is running a better sport
than swimming?”
 Scientific inquiry cannot answer questions
based on opinion, values, or judgments.
These are subjective!
Developing Hypotheses
 Hypothesis:
A possible answer to a
scientific explanation for a set of
observations.
 Example – Changing the distance
between an object and a light source
changes the size of an objects shadow.
A
hypothesis must be testable.
Left Side ISN
 Write
a hypothesis for something you
would like to test or something you are
curious about.
Designing an Experiment
 Variables:
factors that can change in an
experiment.
 Manipulated Variable: The variable that is
changed. This is the independent
variable.
 Responding Variable: The variable that is
expected to change because of the
independent variable. This is the
dependent variable.
 Controlled Experiment: All variables are
constant except for one.
Collecting/Interpreting Data
 Data:
the facts, figures, and other
evidence gathered through observations.
 Data Table: provides an organized way
to collect and record observations.
Temperature
# of Drinks Sold
95
112
90
89
97
120
93
100
82
60
Conclude & Communicate
A
conclusion states whether or not
the data supports the hypothesis.
 Communicating:
sharing ideas and
conclusion with others through writing
and speaking.
final step leads to new questions,
replication, and new investigations.
 This
BREAK!
How Science Develops
use models and develop laws
and theories to increase our
understanding of the natural world. Why
do scientists use models?
 Scientists
 Model:
representation of an object or
process. Used to study objects too big,
too small, or too complex.
 Example- solar system, cell, DNA structure
Law vs. Theory
 Scientific
Laws: statement that describes
what scientists expect to happen under
certain conditions.
 Example- what goes up, must come
down (Gravity)
 Scientific Theories: Well-tested
explanation for observations or results.
 Example- atoms are tiny particles present
in all substances (Atomic Theory)
So…What’s the difference?




A Law is the “What”, a Theory is the “Why or
How”
A law tells us what happens, the theory explains
why it happens.
Theories are supported by a large body of
evidence. Theories are NOT guesses!
Theories are often modified, but are rarely
rejected.
Why aren’t theories rejected?
What is the relationship between theories
and laws?
Reflection Questions
can an experiment that disproves a
hypothesis be useful?
 How
and Contrast scientific
theories and laws.
 Why is it necessary for scientists to follow
the steps of inquiry discussed in this
lesson?
 Compare
characteristics of scientific
knowledge make it a valid explanation
 What
of nature?
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