Branches of Science Overview

Podcast Beta

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

List the physical sciences.

Physics, Geology, Astronomy, Chemistry

List the life sciences.

Biology, Zoology, Botany

Define biology.

The study of life

Define zoology.

The study of animals, their structures, behaviors, habitats, etc. Signup and view all the answers

Define botany.

The study of plants Signup and view all the answers

Define physics.

The study of the nature of basic things like motion, forces, energy, matter, heat, sound, and composition of atoms. Signup and view all the answers

Define geology.

The study of earth, its structure, substance, and its history Signup and view all the answers

Define astronomy.

The study of everything beyond the earth's atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

Define chemistry.

The study of matter and its essence and substances Signup and view all the answers

What is natural philosophy?

The study of unanswered questions about nature Signup and view all the answers

Physics is the most basic of all the sciences.

True Signup and view all the answers

Who are credited as the founders of the scientific method?

Galileo Galilei Signup and view all the answers

What are the steps of the scientific method?

Recognizing the problem, making a hypothesis, predicting consequences, performing experiments, formulating a general rule. Signup and view all the answers

A scientific hypothesis is an educated guess that is fully accepted upon development.

False Signup and view all the answers

A scientific theory synthesizes well-tested and verified hypotheses about certain aspects of the natural world.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a scientific hypothesis?

Atoms are the smallest particles of matter. Signup and view all the answers

Define science.

A method of answering theoretical questions. Signup and view all the answers

Define technology.

A method of solving practical problems. Signup and view all the answers

Science and technology are different.

True Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Branches of Science

Science is divided into two main branches: life sciences and physical sciences.
Life sciences study living things.
Physical sciences study nonliving things.

Life Sciences

Biology: the study of life
Zoology: the study of animals, their structures, behaviors, habitats, etc.
Botany: the study of plants

Physical Sciences

Physics: the study of the nature of basic things like motion, forces, energy, matter, heat, sound, etc.
Geology: the study of Earth, its structure, substance, and history.
Astronomy: the study of everything beyond Earth's atmosphere, including celestial objects.
Chemistry: the study of matter and its essence and substances.

Natural Philosophy

Natural philosophy is the study of unanswered questions about nature.
Much of science today was once considered natural philosophy.
Physics provides the foundation for chemistry, which in turn supports biology.
Understanding physics enhances the understanding of other sciences.

Scientific Methods

Scientific findings expressed mathematically are easily verifiable or disprovable through experimentation.
Progress in science is achieved through trial and error, experimentation, and accidental discovery.
The success of science relies on the scientific attitude of inquiry, experimentation, and humility.
An object is in equilibrium when the sum of all forces acting on it equals zero.
Galileo Galilei and Francis Bacon are considered founders of the scientific method.

Steps of Scientific Methods

Recognize or identify the problem.
Formulate an educated guess (hypothesis) about the answer.
Predict the consequences (results) of the hypothesis.
Perform experiments to test predictions.
Formulate the simplest general rule encompassing the hypothesis, prediction, and experimental outcome.

Scientific Attitude

A fact is a close agreement reached by competent observers through repeated observations of the same phenomenon.
A scientific hypothesis is an educated guess not fully accepted until demonstrated by experiment.
Tested and verified hypotheses become laws or principles.
Laws describe what will happen in a given situation, often through mathematical equations.
Principles and laws are used interchangeably in science.
A nonscientific hypothesis cannot be proven wrong or right.
If evidence contradicts a hypothesis, law, or principle, it needs to be changed or abandoned.

Scientific Theories

A scientific theory is a synthesis of a large body of information encompassing well-tested and verified hypotheses about certain aspects of the natural world.

Scientific Hypotheses

Before a hypothesis is considered scientific, it must link to a general understanding of nature and follow the testable rule.
It’s more important to find a way to disprove a hypothesis than to prove it right.
To determine if a hypothesis is scientific, look for a test to prove it wrong.

Science, Technology, and Society

Science and technology are distinct concepts.
Science focuses on answering theoretical questions.
Technology focuses on solving practical problems.
Science discovers facts and relationships between observable phenomena in nature, and establishes theories to organize and explain them.
Technology deals with tools, techniques, and procedures applying scientific findings.
Science and technology are human endeavors.
Technologists specifically design, create, or build things for human use and enjoyment.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers the two main branches of science: life sciences and physical sciences. Explore various fields within these branches, such as biology, physics, and geology. Test your understanding of how these disciplines intersect and their foundational concepts.