Transcript Science Skills

Science Skills
Chapter 1
What is science?
• The word
science comes
from the Latin
word scire
meaning “to
know”
Branches of science
Natural Science
Physical Science
Physics
Chemistry
Earth and Space
Life Science
Branches of Physical Science
• CHEMISTRY
• PHYSICS
• The study of the
• The study of matter
makeup, structure,
and energy, and
characteristics, and
how they interact
reactions of matter.
with each other.
• An organized plan for gathering,
organizing, and communicating
information
• Scientific knowledge leads to new
technology and vice-versa
1. Making Observations
Information obtained through one’s
senses.
Ex. West Nile Virus in South
Dakota
2. Forming a
Hypothesis
• A proposed or possible answer to
a question or problem.
•
•
3. Testing the
Hypothesis
Experimentation
A controlled
experiment
always has two
parts:
1. Control group
2. Experimental
group
2 types of variables
• MANIPULATED
• The variable that
causes a change in
another variable
• Also known as the
independent variable
• RESPONDING
• The variable that
changes in response to
the manipulated
variable.
• Also known as the
dependent variable.
Theories and Laws
• After experimentation, data needs to be
interpreted and a conclusion is drawn.
• Theory : A well-tested explanation for a set
of observations or experimental results
• Law : A statement accepted as true that
describes phenomena in the natural world.
Scientific Notation
• A shorthand method for writing very large or
very small numbers.
• Examples:
 300,000,000 ?
 3.0 x 108
 0.000821 ?
 8.1 x 10-4
 Example problems on page 15
• The present version of the metric system is
known as the SI system.
• Why is the SI system easier to use in
science than the old English system?
• It is based on the number 10.
• See seven metric units on page 16 Fig 13
Base units vs Derived units
• Base units
• Derived units
• 7 basic units used
to identify
quantities.
• See page 16
• A combination of
two or more base
units
• Examples:
1. Density g/cm3
• kilo (k) =
-1
• deci (d) = 10
-2
• centi (c) = 10
• milli (m) = 10-3
3
10
Conversion Factor
• A ratio of equivalent measurements
that is used to convert a quantity of
one unit to another. Example:
• On board convert 83,470 mm into km.