Science in General Science in General WHAT IS SCIENCE ? WHAT IS SCIENCE ? Science is Science is NOT NOT : : a book of facts, numbers & a book of facts, numbers & definitions definitions a bunch of electronic gadgets a bunch of electronic gadgets always in a lab always in a lab something that only concerns something that only concerns strange and unimportant ideas strange and unimportant ideas
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Science in General WWWWHAT IS SCIENCE ? SSSScience is NOT : aaaa book of facts, numbers & definitions aaaa bunch of electronic gadgets.
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Science in GeneralScience in General
WHAT IS SCIENCE ?WHAT IS SCIENCE ?Science is Science is NOTNOT : :
a book of facts, numbers & definitionsa book of facts, numbers & definitions a bunch of electronic gadgetsa bunch of electronic gadgets always in a labalways in a lab something that only concerns strange something that only concerns strange
and unimportant ideas and unimportant ideas
Science in General
Quotes about Science :“The whole of science is nothing
more than a refinement of everyday thinking.” A. Einstein, Out of My Later Years
“The scientific mind does not so much provide the right answers as ask the right questions.” Claude Levi-
Strauss, The Raw and the Cooked, overture sct 1
Science in General
“Science is nothing but developed perception, interpreted intent, commonsense rounded out and minutely articulated.” George Santayana, The Life of Reason
“Science is nothing but trained and organized common sense.” T.H. Huxley, the Method of Zadig
Science in GeneralScience in General
SCIENCESCIENCE then can be thought of as then can be thought of as the the evolution of our ability to thinkevolution of our ability to think, , receive data, categorize information, receive data, categorize information, and ask questions as to the and ask questions as to the CAUSE-CAUSE-AND-EFFECTAND-EFFECT of things ! of things !
SCIENCESCIENCE
¤ Long ago what we refer to as Long ago what we refer to as “Science” was known as “Natural “Science” was known as “Natural Philosophy”.Philosophy”.
¤ Natural Philosophy was the Natural Philosophy was the study of unanswered questions study of unanswered questions about natureabout nature. Over time, answers . Over time, answers to these questions were found, but to these questions were found, but too were still more questions. too were still more questions.
SCIENCE ( 1 )SCIENCE ( 1 )
Is a Is a process process of of continuous inquirycontinuous inquiry driven by curiositydriven by curiosity. The . The objective of objective of the processthe process is to obtain is to obtain information and answer information and answer questions about natural questions about natural phenomena. phenomena.
SCIENCE ( 2 )SCIENCE ( 2 )
This This information information is then is then measuredmeasured, organized, and , organized, and analyzed through a analyzed through a constructive constructive efforteffort reflecting the reflecting the questionsquestions that gave rise to that gave rise to hypotheses hypotheses which are tested bywhich are tested by experimentationexperimentation..
SCIENCE ( 3 )SCIENCE ( 3 )
All of these effortsAll of these efforts collectivelycollectively generate a body of generate a body of organizedorganized dynamic knowledgedynamic knowledge that that lends lends itself to being useful to usitself to being useful to us as well as as well as prompting still further questions to prompting still further questions to be tested that perpetually evolve the be tested that perpetually evolve the system indefinitely.system indefinitely.
Definitions of ScienceDefinitions of Science
Note that there is no single definition Note that there is no single definition of Science. of Science.
It is basically a way of thinking, a It is basically a way of thinking, a process, about the universe from process, about the universe from large to small so as to express large to small so as to express relationships between systems and relationships between systems and phenomenaphenomena..
HISTORY of SCIENCEHISTORY of SCIENCE
¤There is NO distinct origin of Science. There is NO distinct origin of Science. This is because it goes back before This is because it goes back before written records. written records.
¤What it originally was is quite simple. What it originally was is quite simple. Given that food is scarce and the Given that food is scarce and the environment seemed ever-changing. environment seemed ever-changing. It became a necessity to notice any It became a necessity to notice any regularity, similarity, in things.regularity, similarity, in things.
HISTORYHISTORY of SCIENCE of SCIENCE
This would become an advantage This would become an advantage for an individual, a family, or a for an individual, a family, or a group in their survival. group in their survival.
Regularity or things we might call Regularity or things we might call common sense today are things like common sense today are things like weather - warm in summer, cold in weather - warm in summer, cold in winter. The Sun-Moon-planets-stars winter. The Sun-Moon-planets-stars all move east to west in regular all move east to west in regular time intervals. Water runs downhill.time intervals. Water runs downhill.
HISTORYHISTORY of SCIENCE of SCIENCE
So noticing and acting on the So noticing and acting on the regularity in nature was critical to regularity in nature was critical to survival. Hence, Science is at the core survival. Hence, Science is at the core of our being, our culture, and our way of our being, our culture, and our way of thinking !of thinking !
The next major achievement was The next major achievement was writing of course. Now this writing of course. Now this information could be collected and information could be collected and passed on to each succeeding passed on to each succeeding generation. Otherwise we would have generation. Otherwise we would have to relearn it every time.to relearn it every time.
HISTORY HISTORY of SCIENCEof SCIENCE
Apparently OBSERVATION, Apparently OBSERVATION, RECORDING, ANALYTICAL THINKING RECORDING, ANALYTICAL THINKING SKILLS, and COMMUNICATION are SKILLS, and COMMUNICATION are critical components of SCIENCE then.critical components of SCIENCE then.
But there are an infinite ways to But there are an infinite ways to Observe and Describe things. The Observe and Describe things. The next major change came in the next major change came in the refinement of the PROCESS of doing refinement of the PROCESS of doing Science, the Scientific Method. Science, the Scientific Method.
Branches of ScienceIn general Science concerns to broad
topic areas : Living and NonlivingLiving Science includes the areas of
Biology and all of its smaller branches.
Nonliving Science includes : Physics and Chemistry primarily and all of their subsets.
What does Science Include ?What does Science Include ?
Does Science include ALL THINGS ?Does Science include ALL THINGS ? NO !!NO !! It ONLY involves things that can be It ONLY involves things that can be
Measured along with things we can Measured along with things we can ask Questions about, and most ask Questions about, and most importantly Test our ideas on in some importantly Test our ideas on in some direct or indirect way.direct or indirect way.
Branches of PHYSICS
PHYSICS is the most basic of all sciences and concerns the nature of motion, forces, energy, matter, heat, sound, light, and atomic nuclei
Essentially it is about Matter & Energy PHYSICS is directly or indirectly involved
in the areas of : Meteorology, Geology, Astronomy,
Thermodynamics, Optics, Engineering, Architecture
Views of PHYSICSViews of PHYSICS
Matter has dual Nature with Matter has dual Nature with Particle & Wave BehaviorsParticle & Wave Behaviors – –
Matter can be understood to exhibit Matter can be understood to exhibit measurable properties as either measurable properties as either particles or waves.particles or waves.
Basic Topics in Basic Topics in PHYSICSPHYSICS
Conservation of EnergyConservation of Energy – to – to understand that energy can only understand that energy can only be transferred from one form to be transferred from one form to another. another.
To understand that energy cannot To understand that energy cannot be created nor destroyed. be created nor destroyed.
To understand that physics To understand that physics approaches all energy forms from approaches all energy forms from the point of view of KE and PE.the point of view of KE and PE.
Conservation of Energy & MomentumConversions in moving objects
KinematicsNewton’s Laws
Descriptive and Quantitative description of
KE & PE ( Work )HeatMethods of Energy Transfer
(Conduction, Convection, Radiation )
Topics of PHYSICSTopics of PHYSICSElectricityElectricity
It is important to realize that even if It is important to realize that even if one is specialized in a particular field one is specialized in a particular field of science, it is critical to be aware of science, it is critical to be aware and interact with the others. and interact with the others.
To study the Planets - Planetology, To study the Planets - Planetology, one needs to know physics (Newton’s one needs to know physics (Newton’s laws), chemistry, meteorology, laws), chemistry, meteorology, vulcanology, and geology. vulcanology, and geology.
EvidenceEvidence
Is the result of Observations of Is the result of Observations of materials and events in the materials and events in the natural world.natural world.
The Observations are free of The Observations are free of opinion or interpretation AND can opinion or interpretation AND can be Repeated by others with the be Repeated by others with the same results.same results.
Inferences
Are Logical Explanations for a body of Evidence.
Note : The connections made in Inferences May OR May Not be true.
It requires testing to confirm the link between what is and possibly how it happened.
DifferencesDifferences
EVIDENCEEVIDENCE ObservationObservation MeasurementsMeasurements DataData Eye WitnessEye Witness Something that is Something that is
known for sureknown for sure
INFERENCEINFERENCE Logical ideaLogical idea Reasonable Reasonable
conclusionconclusion Comparison with Comparison with
something knownsomething known Did not observe it Did not observe it
directlydirectly Uncertainty in Uncertainty in
knowingknowing
SCIENTIFIC METHODSCIENTIFIC METHOD
Is a method that is effective for Is a method that is effective for gaining, organizing, and applying gaining, organizing, and applying new knowledge.new knowledge.
The chief architects of it were : The chief architects of it were : Galileo Galilei ( 1564-1642 ) and Sir Galileo Galilei ( 1564-1642 ) and Sir Francis Bacon ( 1561-1626 ). Francis Bacon ( 1561-1626 ).
SCIENTIFICSCIENTIFIC METHOD METHOD
¤ Steps : 1) Recognize a ProblemSteps : 1) Recognize a Problem¤ 2) Make an educated guess - 2) Make an educated guess - HypothesisHypothesis - -
about the answerabout the answer¤ 3) 3) PredictPredict the consequences of the the consequences of the
hypothesishypothesis¤ 4) 4) PerformPerform experimentsexperiments to test the to test the
predictionprediction¤ 5) Formulate the simplest general rule that 5) Formulate the simplest general rule that
organizes the 3 key elements.organizes the 3 key elements.
ScientificScientific Method Method
Keep in mind - there is no single path Keep in mind - there is no single path to new scientific knowledge !to new scientific knowledge !
Accidental discovery, Trial-and-Error Accidental discovery, Trial-and-Error efforts, and even Experiments efforts, and even Experiments without Guessingwithout Guessing are done are done unintentionally and intentionally and unintentionally and intentionally and account for many discoveries in account for many discoveries in science.science.
HYPOTHESESHYPOTHESES
SCIENTIFIC HYPOTHESISSCIENTIFIC HYPOTHESIS - Is an - Is an educated guess that is only educated guess that is only presumed to be factual presumed to be factual until until proven so by experimentproven so by experiment. .
This is the rule of Hypotheses, This is the rule of Hypotheses, they must be Testablethey must be Testable..
HypothesisHypothesis
By an educated guess – this By an educated guess – this means a reasonable explanation means a reasonable explanation of an observation or experimental of an observation or experimental result that is NOT fully accepted result that is NOT fully accepted as Factual UNTIL Tested Over and as Factual UNTIL Tested Over and Over again by Experiment.Over again by Experiment.
Reminder NOTE : A good Reminder NOTE : A good Hypothesis is ALWAYS Testable !Hypothesis is ALWAYS Testable !
Is a close agreement by competent observers of a series of observations of the same phenomena.
NOTE : Does not mean exactly the same numerical measurement. Also this depends on the measuring tools used.
Other NotesOther Notes
A A FACTFACT is revisable data about the is revisable data about the world !world !
This means as more This means as more measurements are made and the measurements are made and the technology to make them technology to make them improves, they can be revised. improves, they can be revised.
THEORIESTHEORIES – Interpret the facts. – Interpret the facts.
Results of HypothesesResults of Hypotheses
When hypotheses have been tested When hypotheses have been tested over and over again and have not over and over again and have not been contradictedbeen contradicted, they may become , they may become known as known as Laws or Principles.Laws or Principles.
Scientific AttitudeScientific Attitude¤ If a scientist believes a certain If a scientist believes a certain
hypothesis, law, or principle is true hypothesis, law, or principle is true BUT finds contradicting evidence, BUT finds contradicting evidence, THEN in the Scientific spirit, the THEN in the Scientific spirit, the hypothesis, law, or principle MUST BE hypothesis, law, or principle MUST BE CHANGED OR ABANDONED !CHANGED OR ABANDONED !
¤ Scientists MUST accept their findings Scientists MUST accept their findings and other experimental evidence and other experimental evidence EVEN WHEN THEY WOULD LIKE THEM EVEN WHEN THEY WOULD LIKE THEM TO BE DIFFERENT !TO BE DIFFERENT !
Scientific AttitudeScientific Attitude
¤ This is not easy. We often adopt This is not easy. We often adopt ‘feelings’ about something without ‘feelings’ about something without any supportive evidence and little any supportive evidence and little questioning. questioning.
¤ The true heart of science then is to The true heart of science then is to question and to challenge question and to challenge assumptions. To prove one’s point by assumptions. To prove one’s point by direct measurement.direct measurement.
TheoryTheory
Is a synthesis of a large body of Is a synthesis of a large body of information that encompasses information that encompasses well-tested and verified well-tested and verified hypotheses about aspects of the hypotheses about aspects of the natural world.natural world.
Examples : Theory of Special Examples : Theory of Special Relativity ( but is still being tested Relativity ( but is still being tested ), ),
THEORYTHEORY A A THEORYTHEORY is a synthesis of a large is a synthesis of a large
body of information that body of information that encompasses well-tested and encompasses well-tested and verified verified hypotheseshypotheses about certain about certain aspects of the natural world. aspects of the natural world.
Ex: Physics - the theory of the AtomEx: Physics - the theory of the Atom Theories are NOT FIXED and Theories are NOT FIXED and
undergo change. They evolve undergo change. They evolve through redefinition and refinement.through redefinition and refinement.
TheoryTheory
One of the greatest strengths of One of the greatest strengths of SCIENCE is that it is continually SCIENCE is that it is continually refining itself. This is not a weakness. refining itself. This is not a weakness. Changing an idea through time only Changing an idea through time only implies that a better understanding implies that a better understanding is now at hand. Consider if we merely is now at hand. Consider if we merely created an idea and stayed with it created an idea and stayed with it regardless of evidence to the regardless of evidence to the contrary. contrary.
LawLaw
Is a general hypothesis or Is a general hypothesis or statement about the relationship statement about the relationship of natural quantities that has of natural quantities that has been tested over and over again been tested over and over again and has not been contradicted.and has not been contradicted.
Examples : Newton’s LawsExamples : Newton’s Laws
Laws & PRINCIPLESLaws & PRINCIPLES
These are general hypothesis or These are general hypothesis or statements about the relationship statements about the relationship of natural quantities that has of natural quantities that has been tested over and over again been tested over and over again and has not been contradicted.and has not been contradicted.
Math & ScienceMath & Science
““Mathematics is the door and the Mathematics is the door and the key to the sciences.” key to the sciences.” R. Bacon, Opus MajusR. Bacon, Opus Majus
““If you haven’t measured If you haven’t measured something, you don’t know very something, you don’t know very much about it.” much about it.” K. PearsonK. Pearson
Math & ScienceMath & Science Math is the language and tool to Math is the language and tool to
express Science for the most part. express Science for the most part. This helps to remove the This helps to remove the
ambiguity from observations.ambiguity from observations. Also it allows for the opportunity Also it allows for the opportunity
to see direct ( proportional ), to see direct ( proportional ), indirect (inversely related ), and indirect (inversely related ), and other relations ( squared, cubed ) other relations ( squared, cubed ) between variables.between variables.
Science & Science & TechnologyTechnology
Science Science is the pursuit and study of the is the pursuit and study of the pure idea without examining its pure idea without examining its connection to society or humanity on any connection to society or humanity on any level. level.
Technology Technology is the use of Science and its is the use of Science and its ideas to make use of the relations found ideas to make use of the relations found in nature to improve the human condition in nature to improve the human condition in some manner ( efficiency, productivity, in some manner ( efficiency, productivity, medicines, tools, materials, et al )medicines, tools, materials, et al )
Other Quotes for Science
“What is now proved was once only imagined.” W. Blake, Marriage of Heaven and Hell
“Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science.” Ralph W. Emerson, Society and Solitude
“Man lives for science as well as bread.” W. James, Vivisection
Other QuotesOther Quotes for Science for Science
¤ ““When you have eliminated the When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be however improbable, must be truth.” truth.” A. Doyle, Sign of FourA. Doyle, Sign of Four
¤ ““Most of the fundamental ideas of Most of the fundamental ideas of science are essentially simple, and science are essentially simple, and may, as a rule, be expressed in a may, as a rule, be expressed in a language comprehensible to language comprehensible to everyone.” everyone.” A. Einstein, The Evolution of PhysicsA. Einstein, The Evolution of Physics
NEEDS for SCIENCENEEDS for SCIENCE
The 2 basic needs of SCEINCE are :The 2 basic needs of SCEINCE are : 1) Math System to express very large 1) Math System to express very large
and very small numbers and and very small numbers and 2) agreed upon definitions for Standards 2) agreed upon definitions for Standards
for physical quantities that can be for physical quantities that can be measured with known tools.measured with known tools.
Powers of 10Powers of 10
Since numbers in Science can range Since numbers in Science can range from the very large ( a billion billion or from the very large ( a billion billion or 1000000000000000000 ) to the very 1000000000000000000 ) to the very small ( a billionth billionth small ( a billionth billionth 0.000000000000000001 ) Using 10 0.000000000000000001 ) Using 10 with an Exponent would make it with an Exponent would make it easier. easier.
Example billion billion is Example billion billion is 10101818 and and billionth billionth is billionth billionth is 1010-18-18
SCIENTIFIC NOTATIONSCIENTIFIC NOTATION A means to express any number using A means to express any number using
powers of 10 powers of 10 Positive exponents means to move the Positive exponents means to move the
decimal to the rightdecimal to the right Negative exponents means to move the Negative exponents means to move the
decimal to the leftdecimal to the left
General Form : General Form : A.BC x 10 A.BC x 10 NN
Why Scientific Notation ?
It is used to express very small and very large numbers conveniently.
Also the math involved with it has simple rules that makes the use even easier.
For example, the distance of the Earth to For example, the distance of the Earth to the Sun is 150,000,000 km. the Sun is 150,000,000 km.
Expressed in Scientific Notation it is :Expressed in Scientific Notation it is : 1.5 x 101.5 x 1088 km or 1.5 x 10 km or 1.5 x 101111 m mThe Speed of Light is 300,000 km/s orThe Speed of Light is 300,000 km/s or 3 x 10 3 x 10 55 km/s or 3 x 10 km/s or 3 x 10 88 m/s m/s
How much time in seconds, then minutes How much time in seconds, then minutes does it take for Light to travel from the Sun does it take for Light to travel from the Sun to the Earth ?to the Earth ?
d = d = 1.5 x 101.5 x 101111 m m v = v = 3 x 10 3 x 10 88 m/s m/s t = ?t = ?
Average Speed relation : Average Speed relation : v = d / tv = d / t
MATH RULES for MATH RULES for SCIENTIFIC NOTATIONSCIENTIFIC NOTATION
MULTIPLICATION & DIVISION• The Coefficients are multiplied
or divided accordingly while• the Powers of 10 or Exponents
are ADDED for Multiplying & SUBTRACTED for Dividing
MULTIPLICATION EXAMPLEMULTIPLICATION EXAMPLE
� 3.25 x 103.25 x 1077 x 2.0 x 10 x 2.0 x 1088 = =
� (3.25 x 2.0 ) x 10 (3.25 x 2.0 ) x 10 7+87+8 = =� ANSWER :ANSWER :
� 6.5 x 10 6.5 x 10 1515
MULTIPLICATION EXAMPLEMULTIPLICATION EXAMPLE
6.0 x 106.0 x 10-10-10 x 2.0 x 10 x 2.0 x 1088 = =
(6.0 x 2.0 ) x 10 (6.0 x 2.0 ) x 10 -10+8-10+8 = =
ANSWER : ANSWER : 1.2 x 101.2 x 10-1-1
DIVISION EXAMPLEDIVISION EXAMPLE
8.0 x 108.0 x 101414 / 2.0 x 10 / 2.0 x 1099 = =
(8.0/2.0) x 10 (8.0/2.0) x 10 14-914-9 = =ANSWER :ANSWER :4.0 x 10 4.0 x 10 55
NEEDS for SCIENCENEEDS for SCIENCE
STANDARDSSTANDARDS - Are the exact - Are the exact quantities in measurement that quantities in measurement that everyone agrees to use for everyone agrees to use for comparisoncomparison
STANDARDS
TIME - Is the interval between two events Unit : second (s)
MASS - Is the amount of matter is an object Unit : kilogram (kg )
STANDARDS
LENGTH - Is the distance between two points Unit : Meter (m)
TEMPERATURE - Is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance Unit : Kelvin ( K ) also Celsius ( oC ) used
STANDARDS
LENGTH Meter m
MASS Kilogram KgTIME Second sTEMPERATURE Kelvin KELECTRIC CURRENT Ampere AAMOUNT OFSUBSTANCE
Mole mol
INTENSITY OF LIGHT Candela cd
Other TermsOther Terms
ExperimentExperiment - Is a controlled - Is a controlled procedure for testing a Hypothesisprocedure for testing a Hypothesis
VariableVariable - Is a symbol standing for - Is a symbol standing for any one of a class of thingsany one of a class of things
DataData - Is information obtained by - Is information obtained by observation in an experimentobservation in an experiment
GraphGraph - Is a visual display of - Is a visual display of information or datainformation or data
GRAPH TYPES PIE GRAPH - Used to illustrate the %
of each component of a whole system (100%)
BAR GRAPH - A comparative chart illustrating the quantities each independent system has of a given variable.
LINE GRAPH - Illustrates the relationship of two (or more) variables.
GRAPHING DATAGRAPHING DATA
Steps :Steps : 1) Identify the Independent 1) Identify the Independent & Dependent Variables& Dependent Variables
2) X-axis for independent & Y-axis for 2) X-axis for independent & Y-axis for Dependent, typicallyDependent, typically
3) Choose the appropriate scale from 3) Choose the appropriate scale from range of data setrange of data set
4) Plot points4) Plot points 5) If needed use a log-log plot to 5) If needed use a log-log plot to
determine the exponential relationsdetermine the exponential relations
Other TermsOther Terms
Independent VariableIndependent Variable - Is the - Is the factor controlled in an experiment factor controlled in an experiment by the scientist to see its effect on by the scientist to see its effect on the Dependent Variable. the Dependent Variable. It is the It is the manipulated variable.manipulated variable.
Dependent VariableDependent Variable - Is the - Is the variable that changes in an variable that changes in an experiment with changes to the experiment with changes to the Independent Variable. Independent Variable. This is the This is the responding variable.responding variable.
Other TermsOther Terms
Model - Is a representation of an idea or process to make it understandable
Control - Is the factor in an experiment that is the standard for comparison
Constant - Is the factor in an experiment that cannot change
OTHER TERMSOTHER TERMS
Quantities in SCIENCE :Quantities in SCIENCE : SCALARSSCALARS - Are values that have - Are values that have
only size or amount (called only size or amount (called Magnitude)Magnitude) Ex. Speed, Temperature, MassEx. Speed, Temperature, Mass
VECTORSVECTORS - Are quantities that have - Are quantities that have both Magnitude and Directionboth Magnitude and Direction Ex. Velocity, Acceleration, ForceEx. Velocity, Acceleration, Force
OTHER TERMSOTHER TERMS PRECISIONPRECISION - Is the degree of - Is the degree of
exactness to which the exactness to which the measurement of a quantity can be measurement of a quantity can be reproduced. How close a set of reproduced. How close a set of measurements are to each other.measurements are to each other.
ACCURACYACCURACY - Is the extent to which - Is the extent to which a measured value agrees with the a measured value agrees with the standard value of a quantity. How standard value of a quantity. How close a measurement is to the close a measurement is to the correct or accepted value. correct or accepted value.
Final NotesFinal Notes
Science is One’s Imaginative Mind Science is One’s Imaginative Mind using the Art of Inquiry, the Logical using the Art of Inquiry, the Logical process of Measurement, the process of Measurement, the Analysis of Data, the Employment Analysis of Data, the Employment of Mathematics and the of Mathematics and the Development of an interconnected Development of an interconnected Mental Model of the Universe from Mental Model of the Universe from the subatomic to beyond the the subatomic to beyond the galactic.galactic.
Final NotesFinal Notes
The Slide Rule in hand becomes The Slide Rule in hand becomes the tangible bridge from the the tangible bridge from the natural world to the mathematical natural world to the mathematical mental landscape in this journey.mental landscape in this journey.