Introduction to Physical Science

Introduction to Physical Science

Essential Question:

What is the nature of Physical Science and how does it relate with the other branches of science?

Class Supplies

Agenda- for homework, behavior card and grid passes.

Class Folder with Brads and Pockets for notes and completed assignments.

Composition book- for lab write-ups.

Science Section in Binder- for homework, study papers, and papers to sign.

Pencil/ Black or Blue pen- for daily work

Red Pen- for checking assignments

Highlighters- for agenda and daily assignments.

Colored Pencils- for graphing and other activities.

Branches of Science

Earth Science-the study of Earth systems and systems in space.

Life Science- The study of living systems and the ways in which they interact.

Physical Science- the study of matter and energy.

Areas of Study in Physical Science

Physics of Motion

Simple Machines

Energy

Chemistry

Electricity and Magnetism

Waves

Sound

Light

Electromagnetic Waves

Application in Modern Technology

Daily Routines

1. Copy and complete Warm-up question on your Warm up sheet (keep this sheet in the science section of your binder). Turn in a slip to the basket, with your name date and the answer for a daily grade.

2. Read through assignment on board and copy homework into agenda at the beginning of each class

3. Head each paper with your

Name

Date

Title and Page # of the assignment

Daily Routines pt 2

4. Put completed daily-work and homework in classroom folder at the end of class and turn the folder into the proper cubby.

5. Put homework to finish at home in the Science section of the binder at the end of class.

6. Check and highlight homework you need to finish in agenda by the end of each class

Weekly Routines

Copy Work Due every Wednesday and check to see that it is all in your class folder before you turn it into the proper cubby.

Turn in class folder to proper cubby every Wednesday when you leave class for the Weekly Folder Check.

Turn in Science Lab Write-ups in composition book at the end of class on the day when you complete the lab.

Have parents sign any new tests the night they are returned to you (passing or failing) and put signed tests in the back pocket of your classroom folder.

If You Were Absent

Copy warm ups and notes you missed from another student and list the name of the student and the fact that you were absent under the heading. If you do not have time to get the notes from another student please come to Mrs. Orchard during Falcon Focus to get those notes.

Copy and complete the proper assignment from the green board. (See the teacher if you need worksheets etc. to complete this work. If you do not see me I will assume you were able to complete the work on your own without help or materials from me.)

Turn the work (inside the classroom folder) into the late tray within 3 days of your return. If you need more time you must clear it with Mrs. Orchard if you do not want to receive points off.

Abstract Thinking

Explanations go quickly from simple and concrete to a depth that requires a different style of thinking and visualizing.

Pay attention to the easy or obvious explanations because the explanation will suddenly slip to a deeper level that you will need to follow.

This style of thinking becomes easier with practice.

Scientific Safety

Safety is of the utmost importance in Scientific experimentation.

You must have a signed safety contract in your class folder to participate in class experiments.

Most major science competitions require specific permissions and safety paperwork to be completed before starting any experimentation or projects (this includes Science Fair and Science Olympiad at the Middle school level.

Scientific Method

Problem (Written in the form of a Question. Sometimes called the Purpose )

Research (This is not necessarily fixed in this order)

Hypothesis (An educated guess to answer your original question)

Experiment (Test your Hypothesis)

Analysis (Usually using charts or Graphs to compare information)

Conclusion (A statement of your final answer.)

Communicate Results

Rules to Scientific Experimentation

Must be measured in SI (Metric) Units.

Must test only one variable at a time.

Data must be measurable not subjective.

Must be thoroughly tested (more than one trial for a good conclusion).

Must be clearly presented in scientific terms.

Material must be thoroughly researched.

Presented experiments must follow the rules of the venue.

New and novel experiments are better received.

Clear, concise, attractive experiments are better received.

What is SI?

International System of Measurement/SI- A system of standard measurement that is used worldwide (sometimes called the Metric System.)

English system/ Traditional System- The old system of measurements developed haphazardly over time by many different groups of people for measuring many different things.

Scientific Measurement

SI -METRIC SYSTEM

Scientist Use

TRADITIONAL-English

Scientists DO NOT USE

Length

Meters, (centimeters, millimeters, kilometers)

Volume

Liters, (milliliters etc.)

Mass

Grams (kilograms, Milligrams, etc)

Weight and Force

Newtons, Kg/Second

Temperature

Fahrenheit

Length

Inches, feet, yards, miles

Volume

Gallons, cups, drops,

Mass

Slug (rarely used), Usually measured in Earth Pounds.

Weight and Force

Pounds, stones, ounces

Temperature

Celsius, Kelvin

Metric Prefixes

Kilo- 1000 times the basic unit

Hecto- 100 times the basic unit

Deka- 10 times the basic unit

Basic unit

Deci- .1 (1/10) of the basic unit

Centi- .01 (1/100) of the basic unit

Milli- .001 (1/1000) of the basic unit

Other Commonly Used Metric Prefixes

Terra-trillion 1,000,000,000,000 times the basic unit

Giga- billion 1,000,000,000 times the basic unit

Mega- million 1,000,000 times the basic unit

Micro- millionth .000,000,001 times the basic unit

Nano- billionth .000,000,000,001 times the basic unit

Pico-trillionth .000,000,000,000,001 times the basic unit

Measurement Terms

Accuracy- the closeness of a measurement to the actual measurement or value.

Estimation- a method used to guess the size of an object.

Measurement- a way to describe objects and events with numbers.

Precision describes how close measurements are to each other.

Mass vs. WeightOn Earth Weight = Mass x 9.8 m/sec 2

Mass- the amount of matter in an object. Does not change when gravity does.

Measured in

Grams.

Weight- a measurement of the force on an object that depends on gravity.

Measured in Newtons.

Scientific Law vs. Theory

Scientific Law- a rule that describes a pattern in nature (the law of gravity.)

Scientific Theory- an attempt to explain a pattern seen repeatedly in the natural world.(the theory of evolution)

Basic Science Terms

Science/Scientific Approach- a way of learning more about the natural world

System- a group of structures, cycles, and processes that are related to each other and work together.

Technology the practical use of science in our everyday lives.

Infer- to make a conclusion on what you observe.

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DataObservations made in a scientific investigation.

Qualitative Observations- observations of qualities (shape, color, )

Quantitative Observations observations of quantities.(measurable observations)

Controlled Experiment

Involves changing only one part (or variable) of an experiment and observing what the change does to the other part of the experiment.

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Variables- the parts of an experiment that can change.

Constant- a part of an experiment that is not changed.

Independent variable- a variable that is changed by the experiment.

Dependent variable- a variable that depends on what happens in the experiment when the independent variable is changed.

Critical Thinking

Using what you already know and new facts to decide if you should agree with something.

This is used in the analysis and conclusion of an experiment.

Models

Something that represents an event, object, or idea in the natural world.

3 Types of Models

Physical models

Computer models

Idea models

Types of Models

Physical

Models

Idea

Models

COMPUTER

MODELS

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