Transcript PHYSICAL SCIENCE - Elkhorn Valley Schools

PHYSICAL SCIENCE
(chapter 1)
• What is science? A method of studying the natural world
• Latin word scientia
• 3 major categories:
• Each are interconnected
The Scientific Method
• An organized set of investigative procedures
• 6 common steps:
State the problem
• Remember, it’s not a survey
• What is the 2nd graders favorite color?
• …this is not a good problem.
Research the problem
• You will become an expert in your field from your
research.
Form your hypothesis
• It’s not just a guess, but an informed, educated guess.
• Never try to prove it correct, but rather incorrect!
Test the hypothesis
• Variables – dependent (y) and independent (x)
• Think of the dependent as your results.
• Often, the independent is labeled as “time”.
• Constants – things that don’t change in you experiment
• Control – something you compare your results to
Analyze data
• The best way is in a graph, chart, or table.
Line graphs, bar graph, and pie charts
• Line graphs show changes usually over time.
• Bar graphs are good for comparing data collected from
counting.
• Pie charts represent a percentage.
Draw conclusions
• That’s it! Your done!
• Just remember…
• Avoid biases
• Make sure your project is repeatable
Models represent and idea, event, or
object
Theories explain, but cannot be witnessed
directly
Laws are regular occurrences in nature
• Laws of Motion and Law of Gravity
Are surveys science?
• No. They are informative, but do not follow the scientific
methods.
Technology – the application of science
• How has technology affected you?
Standards of measurement
• “Standards” are exact quantities that never change
• SI or metric system (French creation)
• Based on powers of 10
• Used just about everywhere…but here!
SI prefixes and converting one into
another
• kilo- hecto- deka- [unit] deci- centi- milli-
Measuring distance
• Use meter sticks or rulers
• SI unit is the meter (m)
Measuring Volume
• cm3 and mL each appropriate labels
• 1 L = 1 dm3
• Graduated cylinders and the meniscus
• Read the bottom of the meniscus curve
Measuring Matter and Density
• Mass is the amount of matter in an object
• The instrument for measuring is the balance.
• It is measured in grams (g).
• Density equals mass/volume (g/cm3).
• The label is unique. It is called a “derived unit”.
Measuring Time and Temperature
• Si units for each are the second and Kelvin, though we
usually use Celsius.
• Kelvin = C + 273
• There are no “degrees” preceding Kelvin.