September 4September 4thth – Thursday – Thursday • Change – due date for Author’s Page Change – due date for Author’s Page

is Now Thursday September 10is Now Thursday September 10thth. .

• Take out your binders and pencil – Take out your binders and pencil – open up to your notes sectionopen up to your notes section

• Today we will be taking notes on Today we will be taking notes on Chapter 1 Section 2Chapter 1 Section 2

– You will be able to identify the steps that You will be able to identify the steps that are involved with the scientific are involved with the scientific method/inquirymethod/inquiry

– You will identify what data is and how You will identify what data is and how analyzing and displaying data is essential to analyzing and displaying data is essential to the communication of scientific ideas the communication of scientific ideas

September 8th

Agenda Book out – copy homework for week Binder Open – notes from last week ready to

review. – You will be able to identify the steps that are

involved with the scientific method/inquiry– You will identify what data is and how

analyzing and displaying data is essential to the communication of scientific ideas

Chapter 1

Introduction to Physical Science

What is Physical Science?

Physical Science is the study of matter, energy, and the changes they undergo.

Physical Science is divided into 2 main areas:

1. Physics

2. Chemistry

Scientific Inquiry

Scientific Inquiry – various organized methods of trying to solve problems and answer questions.

The basic process of Scientific Inquiry:1. Posing a Question2. Develop a Hypothesis3. Design an Experiment4. Collect and Interpret Data5. Drawing Conclusions6. Communication

Posing a Question

You need a scientific question – can be answered by making observations or collecting data.

Ex: Does the size of a shadow depend on the distance between the light and the object?

Scientific Inquiry cannot answer questions based on opinions, values, or judgments. Ex: Which photo is the most interesting in a photo contest?

Form a Hypothesis

A hypothesis is a possible answer to a scientific question or explanation for a set of observations.

Ex: I predict changing the distance between an object and the light source changes the size of the object’s shadow.

Designing an Experiment

Experiments are used to test your hypothesis. Variables – factors that can change in an

experiment. In a well-designed experiment only one variable is purposely changed.

The variable that is changed is the manipulated variable (independent variable).

The variable that is expected to change due to the manipulated variable is the responding variable (dependent variable).

Which variable is which?

Our hypothesis - I predict changing the distance between an object and the light source changes the size of the object’s shadow.

Manipulated variable = distance between light and source

Responding variable = the height of the shadow produced.

Collecting and Interpreting Data

Data – facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observations.

Scientist create data tables to keep data organized.

Look for trends or patterns in your data.

Use GRAPHS to help organize data.

Distance between object and light (cm)

Height of Shadow (cm)

10 32

15 27

20 25

25 23

30 22

35 21

40 20

GRAPHS

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Shadow Height

Drawing Conclusions

After scientist interpret their data, they draw a conclusion about their hypothesis.

A conclusion states whether or not the data supported the hypothesis.

Ex: I conclude that the height of a shadow decreases as the light is moved further and further away from the object.

Communicating

An important part of scientific inquiry is communicating.

Communicating is sharing ideas and conclusions with others through writing or speaking.

Scientist often communicate by giving talks at meetings, sharing results via the internet, or publishing articles in scientific journals.