Introduction to HONORS 227 & Science as a Way of Knowing Dr. Harold Geller Dr. George Taylor George Mason University Chapter 1 and Other Stuff The Syllabus Grading Laboratory Work A Personal Response System (iClickers) Science as a Way of Knowing Units of length, mass and time Metric Prefixes iClicker Qustion The pyramids were built by aliens from outer space. AAgree BDisagree iClicker Qustion The location of the stars and planets at birth determine your personality. AAgree BDisagree iClicker Qustion Humans have never stepped foot on the Moons surface. AAgree BDisagree Science: A Way of Knowing Chapter 1 Great Idea: Science is a way of asking and answering questions about the physical universe Chapter Outline The Role of Science The Scientific Method Other Ways of Knowing The Organization of Science The Role of Science Making Choices Ask questions, make observations, form conclusions Applied in a more formal, quantitative way equals science Why Study Science? Most powerful tool for understanding Incorporates basic ideas and theories Provides framework for new questions Provides unparalleled view of order and symmetry of the universe and its workings The Scientific Method also known as The Process of Doing Science Observation History Greek Philosophers Middle Ages Observation no manipulation Experiment manipulation Identifying Patterns and Regularities Measurement-better description Data-table or graph Patterns emerge Describe: In words In equation form In symbols Mathematics: The Language of Science Description General Mathematical Mathematics Equation Description Prediction and Testing Predictions Hypothesis, Theory, Law Must be quantitatively testable Testing Do not prove or disprove Define range of validity Every law and theory of nature is subject to change, based on new observations The Scientific Method in Operation Cycle Not rigid Believe results No preconceptions No true starting place Results must be reproducible Cycle is continuous Other Ways of Knowing Different Kinds of Questions Cannot always use scientific method Art Can use science to address age of painting Not for style of painting Not for beauty, etc. Religion Faith vs. experiment Not a conflict between science & religion when kept in these realms Pseudoscience Belief, dogma Ideas not testable Evaluation of a claim 1.Are the facts true as stated? 2.Is there an alternative explanation? 3.Is the claim falsifiable? 4.Have claims been tested? 5.Do claims require unreasonable changes in accepted ideas? The Organization of Science Divisions of Science Disciplines Historical Modern Approach Field researcher Experimentalists Theorists The Branches or Disciplines of Science Physics Fundamental aspects of nature Chemistry Atoms in combination Biology Living systems Astronomy Objects in space Geology Earth The Web of Knowledge Center Laws of nature Apply to all areas Areas Interconnected All branches integrated Basic Research, Applied Research, and Technology Basic Research Expand knowledge Applied Research Direct application Technology Conservation Medicine Funding for Science US Government $130 billion NSF, NIH, DOE, DOD, EPA, NASA, NOAA Apply for funds Grant proposal Ranked by independent scientists Highly competitive Communication Among Scientists Collaboration Scientific Meetings Peer reviewed Journals Cornerstone of science Science as a way of knowing & understanding the universe - constructing testable theories/models Scientific Method A reiterative process based on observations, logic, and skepticism Hypothesis A concept or idea that seems to explain a phenomenon or set of observations Model A set of hypotheses that have withstood observational or experimental tests Theory A set of related hypotheses can be pieced together into a self consistent description of natural observations Laws of Physics Theories that accurately describe the workings of physical reality, and have stood the test of time and been shown to have great and general validity iClicker Qustion What defines the scientific method? AA set of related hypotheses can be pieced together into a self consistent description of natural observations BA concept or idea that seems to explain a phenomenon or set of observations CA reiterative process based on observations, logic, and skepticism DA set of hypotheses that have withstood observational or experimental tests ETheories that accurately describe the workings of physical reality, and have stood the test of time and been shown to have great and general validity iClicker Qustion A scientific theory is best described as being Aan educated guess. Ba statement that describes how a system will behave. Ca precise mathematical equation. Dbased on many observations and experiments. Ean untested hypothesis. The basic unit of angular measure is the degree (). Angular Measurements Subdivide one degree into 60 arcminutes minutes of arc abbreviated as 60 arcmin or 60 Subdivide one arcminute into 60 arcseconds seconds of arc abbreviated as 60 arcsec or 60 1 = 60 arcmin = 60 1 = 60 arcsec = 60 iClicker Question How many arcseconds are there in a degree? A60 arcseconds B360 arcseconds C3600 arcseconds D600 arcseconds EThese are incompatible units. Powers-of-ten notation is a useful shorthand system for writing numbers iClicker Question Which measurement of an average classroom door is closest to 2 meters? A.Thickness B.Width C.Height D.Surface area E.Volume iClicker Question What is the result if you multiply by ? A10 15 B10 10 C D10 25 E2 x 10 15 iClicker Question What is the result if you add to ? A10 15 B10 30 C D10 25 E2 x 10 15 iClicker Question What is the result if you multiply by ? A10 15 B10 30 C D E2 x 10 15 Common Prefixes for Powers of Ten FactorNameSymbol (billion) 10 9 Giga-G (million) 10 6 Mega-M (thousand) 10 3 kilo-k (hundredth) centi-c (thousandth) milli-m (millionth) micro- (billionth) nano-n Astronomical distances are often measured in astronomical units, light- years or parsecs Astronomical Unit (AU) One AU is the average distance between Earth and the Sun 1.496 X 10 8 km or million miles Light Year (ly) One ly is the distance light can travel in one year at a speed of about 3 x 10 5 km/s or 186,000 miles/s 9.46 X km or 63,240 AU Parsec (pc) the distance at which 1 AU subtends an angle of 1 arcsec or the distance from which Earth would appear to be one arcsecond from the Sun 1 pc = 3.09 km = 3.26 ly iClicker Question Which unit of the following is the largest? AKilometer BAstronomical Unit (AU) CLight Year (ly) DParsec (pc) EGigameter Science is an adventure of the human mind