Science Skills

Chapter 1

What is science?• The word

science comes from the Latin word scire meaning “to know”

Branches of science

P h ys ics C h em is try

P h ys ica l S c ien ce E arth an d S p ace L ife S c ien ce

N atu ra l S c ien ce

Branches of Physical Science

• CHEMISTRY• The study of the

makeup, structure, characteristics, and reactions of matter.

• PHYSICS• The study of matter

and energy, and how they interact 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• 7 basic units used

to identify quantities.

• See page 16

• Derived units• A combination of

two or more base units

• Examples:

1. Density g/cm3

• kilo (k) = 103

• deci (d) = 10-1

• centi (c) = 10-2

• milli (m) = 10-3

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.