A Scientific Attitude

1. A Scientific Attitude

2. Physics (fizz-icks): The science of matter and energy and of interactions between the two, grouped in traditional fields such as acoustics, optics, mechanics, thermodynamics, and electromagnetism, as well as in modern extensions including atomic and nuclear physics, cryogenics, solid-state physics, particle physics, and plasma physics. - Answers.com “All science is either physics or stamp collecting.” - Ernest Rutherford "Physicists define stress as force per unit area. The rest of humanity defines stress as physics." - Unknown “In physics, you don’t have to go around making trouble for yourself -Nature does it for you!” - Frank Wilczek

3. Openness • Discuss the following terms with your group. What do they mean to you? Use the markers and boards to write down their definitions. • Hypothesis • Fact • Theory • Law/Principle

4. “Just A Theory?” • The cell • The origin of the universe • Evolution • Gravitation • The atom • The moon’s formation • Global warming

5. Definitions used by scientists: • Hypothesis- an educated guess that is only presumed to be factual until demonstrated by experiment. • Fact- a close agreement by competent observers who make a series of observations of the same phenomenon. • Law/Principle-hypotheses that have been tested over and over again and not contradicted. (a proven hypothesis)

6. Theory • Theory (everyday speech) • A collection of hypotheses • Questionable reliability • Scientific Theory • A synthesis of a large body of information that encompasses well-tested and verified hypotheses about certain aspects of the natural world. • A collection of facts and laws • Some are more understood than others

7. “Just A Theory?”