CHAPTER 1 SCIENCE IN OUR WORLD
Section 1 – Science and Scientists
SCIENCE STARTS WITH A QUESTION
Why is my reflection upside down in my spoon even though I’m holding the spoon right side up?
SCIENCE
The process of gathering knowledge about the natural world
This often starts by a question being askedWhy do I feel pain when I stub my
toe?What causes high and low tides?
INVESTIGATION
Once you ask a question, it’s time to find an answer by:
ResearchObservationExperimentation
WHY ASK WHY?
Saving Lives
Saving Resources
Saving the Environment
SCIENTISTS ARE ALL AROUND YOU
Meterologist
Geochemist
Ecologist
Volcanologist
Science Illustrator
SECTION 1-2Scientific Methods
SCIENTIFIC METHODS
The ways in which scientists answer questions and solve problems
Scientists often use the same steps
May use all of the steps or just some
MODEL OF SCIENTIFIC METHODS
ASK A QUESTION
Scientists ask a question after making observations
Observation – using senses to gather information Ex. The sky is blue, cotton feels soft
MIT Question:Only 70% of propeller energy is used to move
a boat, so how can boat propulsion systems be made more efficient?
FORM A HYPOTHESIS
Possible explanation or answer to a question A good hypothesis is testable
MIT Hypothesis:A propulsion system that mimics the way a
penguin swims will be more efficient than a propulsion system that uses propellors.
MAKE PREDICTIONS
Before a scientist tests a hypothesis, they often make predictions
What they think will happen during the test of the hypothesis
MIT Predictions:If 2 flippers are attached to the boat, then the
boat will be more efficient than a boat powered by propellers
TEST THE HYPOTHESIS
After you form a hypothesis, you must test it. Controlled experiment – compares the results
from a control group with the results from 1 or more experimental group.
The experimental groups are the same except for one factor, or Variable.
MIT TEST:They built Proteus, the penguin boat and took it
into open water to collect data. Only the flapping rate of the flippers varied between tests.
ANALYZE THE RESULTS
Data – pieces of information acquired through experimentation
Once you have your data, you must analyze them.
You must find out if your test supports your hypothesis or not.
MIT Analysis:The scientists compared Proteus’s efficiency
with the average efficiency of a propeller-driven boat. Proteus was 87% efficient.
DRAW CONCLUSIONS
At the end of an investigation, you must draw a conclusion.
Can Conclude: Support your hypothesis Does not support your hypothesis Need more information
MIT Conclusion:They did more trials and each time they found
that the penguin propulsion was more efficient, so they concluded that hypothesis was supported.
COMMUNICATE RESULTS
Communicate results accurately and honestly ensures the credibility of the scientist.
Communicate results: Report Website Journal Speech
MIT Results:They published their results in academic
papers, the internet, newspapers and science magazines.
SECTION 1-3Scientific Models
TYPES OF SCIENTIFIC MODELS
Model or Prototype – representation of an object or system
Major Types of Models: Physical – model airplanes, dolls, many drawings,
etc. Mathematical – weather map, computer models Conceptual – systems of ideas, comparing with
familiar things (big bang theory)
Models also used to represent very large or very small things (solar system and cells)
THEORY VS. SCIENTIFIC LAWS
Theory – unifying explanation for a broad range of hypotheses and observations that have been supported by testing.
Scientific Law – summary of many experimental results and observations. Laws tell you only what happens, not why it
happens.
SECTION 1-4Science and Engineering
TECHNOLOGY
Refers to the products and processes that are designed to serve our needs
Also refers to the tools and methods for creating these products and processes.
Cell phone with GPS GPS is a technology Tools used to make the phone is a technology Processes used to make the phone is a
technology
HOW DOES SCIENCE RELATE TO TECHNOLOGY
Science is knowledge of the natural world Engineering uses scientific knowledge to
develop technologies
So engineering is the process of creating technology
ENGINEERING DESIGN PROCESS
Step 1 – Ask: Identifying and Researching a Need
Step 2 – Imagine: Developing Possible Solutions
Step 3 – Plan: Making a Prototype Step 4 – Create: Testing and Evaluating Step 5 – Improve: Modifying and Retesting
Solution
TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY
Cell Phones Keep in touch Communicate
Easier
Cell Phones Require Towers Dominate Landscape
Intended BenefitsUnintended Consequences
BIOENGINEERING
Application of engineering to living things Ex. Heart bypass
Assistive Bioengineering Developed to help organisms without changing
them Hearing aid, eyeglasses
Adaptive Bioengineering Developed to help organisms by changing them
Cochlear implant, artificial heart
ADAPTIVE VS. ASSISTIVE BIOENGINEERING
SECTION 1-5Tools, Measurement, and Safety
TOOLS
Graduated Cylinder Thermometer Meterstick Balance Stopwatch Spring scale
Calculator Graph Data Computer
Measurement Analyzing
LAB EQUIPMENT
INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS
Metric system used by almost all countries Helps scientists share and compare their
results All units based on the number 10
CONVERTING SI UNITS
1) How many centimeters are in 10 meters?
2)How many mL are in 3.5 kL?
BASIC UNITS
Length – Meter (m) is the basic SI unit for length
Area – measure of how much surface an object has Area = length x width Units for area are km2, m2, cm2
Mass – amount of matter that something is made of Kilogram is the basic unit (kg)
Volume – amount of space something occupies Liquid – unit is liters (L) Solid – unit is cubic meters (m3)
MORE SI UNITS
Volume – amount of space something occupies Liquid – unit is liters (L) Solid – unit is cubic meters (m3)
Density – amount of matter in a given volume Density = mass/volume Unit is g/ml or g/cm3
TEMPERATURE
Measure of how hot or cold something is Fahrenheit (F) is english unit Celsius ( C ) is commonly used by scientists BUT, kelvins (K) is the SI base unit
LAB SAFETY