The Nature of Science

What hits the ground first, a heavy object or a light one?

21

ScScandium

45

53

IIodine

127

10

NeNeon20

58

CeCerium

140

…is a method of obtaining knowledge about the world through observation and experimentation. Science uses testable explanations and makes predictions about the universe.

15

PPhosphorous

4531

1

HHydrogen

1

39

YYttrium

89

14

SiSilicon

28

…is a method of obtaining knowledge about the world through observation and experimentation. Science uses testable explanations and makes predictions about the universe.

55

CsCesium

133

Time to Spend Studying by Course

Why Not Take all Science?

• Science is the most important• Mathematics: created by God so we can do

sciences.• English/Foreign Languages: so we can

communicate (read and write) science.• History: good to know how crappy life was

before science. • Art: so we can draw illustrations of science.

Hierarchy of Science

Logic and Mathematics

Physics and Chemistry

Biological

Ecology Cellular Biochemistry Molecular

Earth Science

Astronomy Meteorology Geology Oceanography

A knowledge of physics and chemistry makes other sciences easier!

Batman, evolution is just a theory…

A scientific theory is very well evidenced

you idiot!

Batman, science has proven…

Science doesn’t prove anything you idiot!

Aristotle (384-322B.C.) claimed that an object that was twice as heavy as another object would fall twice as fast. This HYPOTHESIS is testable but apparently it never dawned on Aristotle to conduct an experiment.

2lbs1lb

Galileo (1564-1642) conducted experiments where he rolled balls of different masses down inclined planes. The results conclusive showed that objects fall at equal rates regardless of their weight.

Galileo also dropped objects of different masses off the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The result: they hit at the same time regardless of their mass difference.

Aristotle had monumental authority as a great thinker in antiquity and his hypothesis was accepted by many for nearly 2000 years until Galileo tested it. In science, experimentation and data trumps everything.

Scientific Definitions!• Hypothesis: a testable explanation for an observed phenomenon.• Theory: a well-tested and well evidenced explanation for a broad set of

observations. Theories are never proven and may be refined based upon new observations and experiments.

• Law: a concise statement that summarizes the results of many observations and experiments. It states a relationship as fact, it does not explain it.

• Mathematics: the language of science. Science is quantitative.• Fact: a close agreement by competent observers based upon

observations and experiments.• Model: a simplification of a phenomenon. Explaining one thing in terms

of something more well known. Can make predictions.• Technology: uses science to solve practical problems.

Hypothesis Theory Law

Observation Hypothesis Experiment

[1] Observe something in nature

[2] Form a Hypothesis

[3] Test your hypothesis

[4] Revise or Accept Hypothesis

Theory

[5] After many different experiments theories

can become Laws

Law

Observation Hypothesis Experiment

[1] Observe something in nature

[2] Form a Hypothesis

[3] Test your hypothesis

[4] Revise or Accept Hypothesis

Theory

[5] After many different experiments theories

can become Laws

Law

[1] You observe a light burn out as you turn it on.[2] You hypothesis that the bulb burned out.[3] You experiment by changing the bulb.[4] The new bulb does not work so you revise your hypothesis.[2] You hypothesis that you blew a fuse.[3] You experiment by checking the fuse box.[4] A fuse was blown and on resetting it the light works.

Technology: Good and Bad

• How has technology been beneficial to humans? How has it been detrimental?

• Einstein’s First Letter to President Roosevelt which he deemed “The Greatest Mistake of His Life.”

Image Citation: Atomic blast over Nagasaki, 9 August 1945 (http://blog.lib.umn.edu/snackeru/greet/atomic-bomb.jpg).

http://www.upa.pdx.edu/IMS/currentprojects/TAHv3/Atomic_Bomb.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwkyPvlWPM0

Technology: Good and Bad

Critical Thinking: discussion for the class. – make an argument for halting

technology– Make an argument for continuing

advances in technology.– List 5 things we have today that

we didn’t have 50 years ago.– What do you think people will

have in fifty years from now that we don’t have today?

Image Citation: Atomic blast over Nagasaki, 9 August 1945 (http://blog.lib.umn.edu/snackeru/greet/atomic-bomb.jpg).

http://www.upa.pdx.edu/IMS/currentprojects/TAHv3/Atomic_Bomb.html

Concept Check1. If a person said in regards to evolution, “That is just a theory”, what is wrong with

their statement?2. Of the following four statements, which are scientific hypothesis:

1. Mr. Sapone is the G.O.A.T.!2. A basketball will bounce higher in cold weather.3. Our universe is just a small part of a larger universe that we can’t detect.4. Intelligent life exists on other planets somewhere in the universe.

3. Theories in science undergo change. Is this a strength or a weakness of science? Explain.

4. In order for a hypothesis to be scientific it must be?