Science Overview: Chapter 1

Chapter 1: About Science

• Physics is the basic science
• The scientific method includes observation, facts, hypothesis, laws, principles, theories, and models
• Science and technology, and science and religion are also studied

How Old Is Science?

• Science began before recorded history
• People were curious about their environment and sought explanations
• Star patterns, seasons, and environmental predictions allowed for control over environmental factors

A Brief History of Science

• Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians contributed to scientific knowledge
• Greek figures like Aristotle and Pythagoras contributed during the 3rd and 4th centuries BC
• During the Dark Ages, the Chinese charted stars and planets, while Arab nations advanced mathematics and glassmaking
• Modern science developed in the 16th century, aided by the printing press (15th century)

What Is Science?

• The study of nature's rules
• Includes numerous branches
  • Life sciences: study of living things
    • Botany
    • Zoology
  • Physical sciences: study of non-living things
    • Geology
    • Chemistry
    • Astronomy
    • Physics

What Science Is? (cont.)

• More than just a body of knowledge
• A method to explore nature and discover natural laws
• A tool for solving problems

The Basic Science - Physics

• Studies how matter and energy interact
• Includes motion, forces, energy, matter, heat, sound, light, and atomic composition
• Forms the basis for other sciences
• Chemistry becomes physics at the atomic level
• Biology builds on chemistry, which builds on physics

Inferences & Observations

• Observation involves perceiving conditions
• Inference is a mental process to explain or interpret an observation
• Correctness isn't a defining factor, distinguishing observation from inference

Scientific Method

• A systematic approach in science
• A method for gaining, organizing, and applying knowledge
• Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) and Francis Bacon (1561-1626) are key figures
• Steps in the scientific method:
  • Recognize a problem.
  • Formulate a hypothesis (a testable guess about a solution).
  • Predict the consequences of the hypothesis.
  • Perform experiments to test predictions.
  • Formulate a general rule organizing problem, hypothesis, and results.

Scientific Attitude

• Not all discoveries are made strictly following the scientific method
• Trial and error, and serendipitous discoveries are important
• Important attitudes include inquiry, experimentation, and humility

Basic Scientific Terms - Fact

• A phenomenon agreed upon by qualified observers
• Not absolute; things considered facts can later be proven incorrect.
• May change in significance over time

Basic Scientific Terms - Hypothesis (cont.)

• Educated guess about an outcome.
• Is not a fact
• Must be testable (falsifiable).
• Could become a law or principle if repeatedly tested and confirmed by many scientists

Examples of Hypotheses

• Atoms are the smallest particles of matter (testable)
• Outer space contains undetected matter (not testable)
• Roman Catholic Pope is holiest (not testable)

Basic Scientific Terms - Law or Principle (cont.)

• A hypothesis that is repeatedly confirmed by many scientists
• Can be changed with new, contradictory evidence
• Describes relationships that can be observed and measured

Examples of Laws and Principles

• Newton's laws of motion describe how force produces motion in objects.
• Coulomb's law describes electrostatic force between charges.

Basic Scientific Terms - Theory (cont.)

• A synthesis of information; well-tested hypotheses, laws, and principles
• Used to explain larger parts of the natural world (e.g., atomic theory)
• Can be updated with new information

Basic Scientific Terms - Models(cont.)

• Similar to theories, but explain specific aspects of the natural world
• Representations of phenomena to explain them more clearly
• Can evolve with new information

Science and Technology

• Science answers theoretical questions
• Technology solves practical problems
• Technology is the application of scientific principles

Science, Art, Religion

• Science discovers and records natural phenomena
• Art explores and appreciates the value of human interactions
• Religion studies the source, purpose, and meaning of existence

Something to Think About

• Is science absolute?
• Is technology good or bad for us?
• Should people be aware of science and technology's impact on their lives?

This quiz covers the fundamental concepts of science as outlined in Chapter 1. It explores the scientific method, the historical development of science, and the contributions of ancient civilizations to our understanding of nature. Gain insights into how science has evolved through the ages and its relationship with technology and religion.