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Chapter: The Nature of Science

Table of Contents. Chapter: The Nature of Science. Section 1: The Methods of Science. Section 2: Standards of Measurement. Section 3: Communicating with Graphs. The Methods of Science. 1. What is Science?. Science is a method for studying the natural world.

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Chapter: The Nature of Science

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  1. Table of Contents Chapter: The Nature of Science Section 1: The Methods of Science Section 2: Standards of Measurement Section 3: Communicating with Graphs

  2. The 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.

  3. The Methods of Science 1 Major Categories of Science • Science can be classified according to three main categories. 1) Life science deals with living things.

  4. The Methods of Science 1 Major Categories of Science 2) Earth science investigates Earth and space.

  5. The Methods of Science 1 Major Categories of Science 3) Physical science deals with matter and energy.

  6. The 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.

  7. A Systematic Approach The scientific methodis 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.

  8. A Systematic Approach This process always starts with a question to be answered.

  9. A Systematic Approach (cont.) A hypothesisis a tentative explanation for what has been observed.

  10. A Systematic Approach (cont.) An experimentis a set of controlled observations that test the hypothesis.

  11. A 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.

  12. A Systematic Approach (cont.) A variable is a quantity or condition that can have more than one value. • An independent variableis the variable you plan to change. • The dependent variableis the variable that changes in value in response to a change in the independent variable.

  13. A Systematic Approach (cont.) A controlis a standard for comparison in the experiment.

  14. A Systematic Approach (cont.) A conclusionis 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.

  15. A Systematic Approach (cont.) The steps in a scientific method are repeated until a hypothesis is supported or discarded.

  16. The Methods of Science 1 Steps of the Scientific Method • Identify the Problem and form a ProblemQuestion. • Form a hypothesis. • Perform an experiment to test this hypothesis. • Analyze the data. • Form a conclusion.

  17. The Methods of Science 1 Scientific Theories and Laws • A scientifictheory 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.

  18. The 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.

  19. The 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.

  20. The Methods of Science 1 Using Science—Technology • Technologyis the application of science to help people.

  21. The Methods of Science 1 Using Science—Technology • 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.

  22. The Methods of Science 1 Using Science—Technology • 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.

  23. Section Check 1 Question 1 What are the three main categories of science? Answer The three main categories of science are life, earth, and physical.

  24. Section 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.

  25. Section 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

  26. Section Check 1 Answer The answer is D. Conditions are kept the same in the control group.

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