Chapter 1

Physical science

• Science – gathering knowledge about the natural world

• Physical science – study of matter and energy (matter – “stuff” everything is made of / energy – ability to do work)

• Chemistry – study of all forms of matter

• Physics – study of the way energy affects matter

• Science is all around you: meteorology, geology, biology

• Scientific method – 6 steps used to answer questions and solve problems

• 1. ask a question – be specific (only 1 ?)

• 2. form hypothesis – make educated guess

• Test hypothesis – do the experiment

• Scientific method – 6 steps used to answer questions and solve problems– 1. ask a question – be specific (only 1 ?)– 2. form hypothesis – make educated guess– Test hypothesis – do the experiment (control,

dependent variable, independent variable)

• Control – nothing changes, used for comparison

• Dependent variable – what is being changed

• Independent variable – what is used to make the change

• 4. analyze results – does the results prove or disprove your hypothesis

• 5. draw conclusion – sum up the results

• 6. communicate the results – write paper, make presentation, create website

• Models – represent object or system

• 3 types:– Physical – a three dimensional representation

of an object (a globe), doesn’t act or interact like the real thing

– Mathematical – equations or data (E=mc2)– Conceptual – system of ideas (big bang

theory)

Law’s and Theories

• Law- summary of many experimental results and observations – tells how things work…not why it works

• Theory – an explanation for many hypothesis and observations