Chapter Introduction
Lesson 1 Understanding
Science
Lesson 2 Measurement
and Scientific
Tools
Lesson 3 Case Study
Chapter Wrap-Up
What processes do
scientists use when they
perform scientific
investigations?
Understanding Science
• What is scientific inquiry?
• How do scientific laws and scientific
theories differ?
• What is the difference between a fact
and an opinion?
Understanding Science
• science
• technology
• observation
• scientific theory
• inference
• scientific law
• hypothesis
• critical thinking
• prediction
What is science?
• Science is the investigation and
exploration of natural events and of
the new information that results from
those investigations.
• Scientific knowledge is the result of a
great deal of debate and confirmation
within the science community.
• People use science in their everyday
lives and careers.
Branches of Science
There are three main branches of
science—Earth science, life science,
and physical science.
physical
from Latin physica, means
“study of nature”
Branches of Science (cont.)
• The study of Earth, including rocks,
soils, oceans, the atmosphere, and
surface features of Earth, is Earth
science.
• The study of living things is life
science, or biology.
• The study of matter and energy—
including both physics and chemistry—
is physical science.
Scientific Inquiry
Scientific inquiry is a process that uses a
set of skills when they conduct scientific
investigations to answer questions or to
test ideas about the natural world.
Scientific Inquiry (cont.)
Scientific inquiries include many possible
steps.
Scientific Inquiry (cont.)
• Observation is the act of using one or
more of your senses to gather information
and taking notes of what occurs.
• An inference is a logical explanation of
an observation that is drawn from prior
knowledge or experience.
Scientific Inquiry (cont.)
• A hypothesis is a possible explanation
for an observation that can be tested
by scientific investigations.
• A prediction is a statement of what will
happen next in
a sequence of
events.
Scientific Inquiry (cont.)
• Scientists test a hypothesis by doing one or
more of these steps: designing an experiment,
making a model, gathering and evaluating
evidence, collecting data, or recording
observations.
• After testing your hypothesis, you analyze your
results using various methods.
Scientific Inquiry (cont.)
• Once you find the
relationships among
data and make
several inferences,
you can draw
conclusions.
• A conclusion is a
summary of the
information gained
from testing a
hypothesis.
Results of Science
• An important part of scientific inquiry is
communicating results.
• Scientists communicate their results to
inform other scientists about their
research.
Scientific Inquiry (cont.)
If predictions are correct and the
hypothesis is supported, scientists will
retest the predictions several times to
make sure the conclusions are the same.
Results of Science (cont.)
• Scientific investigation can have various
outcomes, including new technology,
new materials, and new explanations
as to how or why something happens.
• Technology is the practical use of
scientific knowledge, especially for
industrial or commercial use.
Results of Science (cont.)
• Another outcome of science is the
development of scientific theories and laws.
• If hypotheses have been tested and
supported repeatedly by scientific
investigations they can become a theory.
• A scientific theory is an explanation of
observations or events that is based on
knowledge gained from many observations
and investigations.
• A scientific law is a rule that describes a
pattern in nature.
New Information
Scientific information constantly changes
as new information is discovered or as
previous hypotheses are retested.
New Information (cont.)
• Critical thinking is important in all decision making.
• Critical thinking refers to comparing what you already
know with the information you are given in order to
decide whether you agree with it.
• Scientists evaluate scientific evidence by using
skepticism-doubting the truth or accuracy of
statement-and by identifying facts and opinions.
• Scientists realize that not all questions can be studied
using scientific inquiry, including those related to
opinions, beliefs, values and feelings.
New Information (cont.)
• It is very important for anyone
performing scientific investigations to
use safe practices.
• For information on safe practices,
consult the Science Safety Skill
Handbook in the back of your book.
Which is an explanation of
observations or events that is based
on knowledge gained from many
observations and investigations?
A. scientific law
B. scientific theory
C. prediction
D. hypothesis
Which of these includes the study
of physics and chemistry?
A. Earth science
B. life science
C. physical science
D. biology
Which term refers to the act of
using one or more of your senses
to gather information and taking
notes of what occurs?
A. prediction
B. hypothesis
C. inference
D. observation