Title: Chapter: The Nature of Science
1(No Transcript)
2Table of Contents
Chapter The Nature of Science
Section 1 The Methods of Science
Section 2 Standards of Measurement
Section 3 Communicating with Graphs
3The Methods of Science
1
What is Science?
- Science is a method for studying the natural
world.
- It is a process that uses observation and
investigation to gain knowledge about events in
nature.
4The Methods of Science
1
Major Categories of Science
- Science can be classified according to three main
categories.
1) Life science deals with living things.
5The Methods of Science
1
Major Categories of Science
2) Earth science investigates Earth and space.
6The Methods of Science
1
Major Categories of Science
3) Physical science deals with matter and
energy.
7The Methods of Science
1
Major Categories of Science
- Sometimes, a scientific study will overlap the
categories.
- One scientist, for example, might study the
motions of the human body to understand how to
build better artificial limbs.
8A Systematic Approach
The scientific method is a systematic approach
used in scientific study, whether it is
chemistry, physics, biology, or another science.
It is an organized process used by scientists to
do research, and provides methods for scientists
to verify the work of others.
9A Systematic Approach
This process always starts with a question to be
answered.
10A Systematic Approach (cont.)
A hypothesis is a tentative explanation for what
has been observed.
11A Systematic Approach (cont.)
An experiment is a set of controlled observations
that test the hypothesis.
12A Systematic Approach (cont.)
An observation is the act of gathering
information.
- Qualitative data is obtained through observations
that describe color, smell, shape, or some other
physical characteristic that is related to the
five senses. - Quantitative data is obtained from numerical
observations that describe how much, how little,
how big or how fast.
13A Systematic Approach (cont.)
A variable is a quantity or condition that can
have more than one value.
- An independent variable is the variable you plan
to change. - The dependent variable is the variable that
changes in value in response to a change in the
independent variable.
14A Systematic Approach (cont.)
A control is a standard for comparison in the
experiment.
15A Systematic Approach (cont.)
A conclusion is a judgment based on the
information obtained from the experiment.
- A hypothesis is never proven, only supported or
discarded. - A model can be used to make predictions.
16A Systematic Approach (cont.)
The steps in a scientific method are repeated
until a hypothesis is supported or discarded.
17The Methods of Science
1
Steps of the Scientific Method
- Identify the Problem and form a Problem
Question. - Form a hypothesis.
- Perform an experiment to test this hypothesis.
- Analyze the data.
- Form a conclusion.
18The Methods of Science
1
Scientific Theories and Laws
- A scientific theory is an explanation of things
or events based on knowledge gained from many
observations and investigations. It is not a
guess.
- Just because a scientific theory has data
supporting it does not mean it will never change.
19The Methods of Science
1
Scientific Theories and Laws
- A scientific law is a statement about what
happens in nature and that seems to be true all
the time.
- Gravity is an example of a scientific law.
20The Methods of Science
1
Scientific Theories and Laws
- A theory can be used to explain a law.
- For example, many theories have been proposed to
explain how the law of gravity works.
- Even so, there are few theories in science and
even fewer laws.
21The Methods of Science
1
Using ScienceTechnology
- Technology is the application of science to help
people.
22The Methods of Science
1
Using ScienceTechnology
- For example, when a chemist develops a new,
lightweight material that can withstand great
amounts of heat, science is used.
- When that material is used on the space shuttle,
technology is applied.
23The Methods of Science
1
Using ScienceTechnology
- Science and technology do not always produce
positive results.
- The benefits of some technological advances, such
as nuclear technology and genetic engineering,
are subjects of debate.
24Section Check
1
Question 1
What are the three main categories of science?
Answer
The three main categories of science are life,
earth, and physical.
25Section Check
1
Question 2
What is a common way of testing a hypothesis?
Answer
A common way to test a hypothesis is to perform
an experiment.
26Section Check
1
Question 3
Which of the following is the group in
an experiment in which all conditions are kept
the same?
A. standard B. independent variable C.
experimental D. control
27Section Check
1
Answer
The answer is D. Conditions are kept the same in
the control group.