Introduction to Science

Definition of Science

• Systematic study of the natural world.
• Based on empirical evidence and observation.
• Involves experimentation, hypothesis testing, and theory development.

Key Characteristics

1. Empirical: Relies on observation and experimentation.
2. Repeatable: Experiments can be repeated by others to verify results.
3. Testable: Hypotheses can be tested through experiments and observations.
4. Falsifiable: Hypotheses must be able to be proven false.

Major Branches of Science

1. Natural Sciences: Study of the physical world.

   • Physics: Study of matter, energy, and forces.
   • Chemistry: Study of substances and their properties and reactions.
   • Biology: Study of living organisms and life processes.
   • Earth Science: Study of the Earth, its structure, and processes (Geology, Meteorology, Oceanography).

2. Formal Sciences: Study of abstract systems and structures.

   • Mathematics: Study of numbers, quantities, and space.
   • Logic: Study of reasoning and argumentation.
   • Computer Science: Study of computation, algorithms, and data structures.

3. Social Sciences: Study of human behavior and societies.

   • Psychology: Study of the mind and behavior.
   • Sociology: Study of social interactions and societies.
   • Economics: Study of production, distribution, and consumption of goods.

Scientific Method Steps

1. Observation: Identify a phenomenon or problem.
2. Research: Gather existing information and resources.
3. Hypothesis: Propose a testable explanation.
4. Experimentation: Conduct experiments to test the hypothesis.
5. Analysis: Analyze data collected from experiments.
6. Conclusion: Draw conclusions based on the data.
7. Communication: Share findings with the scientific community.

Importance of Science

• Advances technology and medicine.
• Informs public policy and education.
• Helps understand and solve global challenges (climate change, health crises).
• Promotes critical thinking and skepticism.

Science and Technology

• Interconnected fields where scientific knowledge is applied to create tools and technologies that improve life and solve problems.

Ethics in Science

• Responsible conduct in research: honesty, integrity, and transparency.
• Consideration of the implications of scientific work on society and the environment.

Definition of Science

• Science is the systematic study of the natural world, based on empirical evidence and observation.
• It involves experimentation, hypothesis testing, and theory development.

Key Characteristics of Science

• Relies on observation and experiment.
• Experiments can be repeated by other scientists to verify results.
• Hypotheses can be tested through experiments and observations.
• Hypotheses must be able to be proven false.

Major Branches of Science

• Natural Sciences study the physical world.
  • Physics studies matter, energy, and forces.
  • Chemistry studies substances and their properties and reactions.
  • Biology studies living organisms and life processes.
  • Earth science studies the Earth, its structure, and processes (geology, meteorology, oceanography).
• Formal Sciences study abstract systems and structures.
  • Mathematics studies numbers, quantities, and space.
  • Logic studies reasoning and argumentation.
  • Computer science studies computation, algorithms, and data structures.
• Social Sciences study human behavior and societies.
  • Psychology studies the mind and behavior.
  • Sociology studies social interactions and societies.
  • Economics studies the production, distribution, and consumption of goods.

Scientific Method Steps

• Identify a phenomenon or problem.
• Gather existing information and resources.
• Propose a testable explanation (hypothesis).
• Conduct experiments to test the hypothesis.
• Analyze data collected from experiments.
• Draw conclusions based on the data.
• Share findings with the scientific community.

Importance of Science

• Advances technology and medicine.
• Informs public policy and education.
• Helps understand and solve global challenges such as climate change and health crises.
• Promotes critical thinking and skepticism.

Science and Technology

• Science and technology are interconnected.
• Scientific knowledge is applied to create tools and technologies that improve life and solve problems.

Ethics in Science

• Responsible conduct in research involves honesty, integrity, and transparency.
• Scientists must consider the implications of their work on society and the environment.

Explore the fundamental concepts of science, including its definition, key characteristics, and major branches. This quiz covers the empirical nature of science, the importance of experimentation, and the distinctions between natural and formal sciences.