Chapter 1 - Science Skills
Science = a system of knowledge and the methods you use to find
that knowledge.
•
involves asking questions about nature and then finding ways to
answer them.
•
Science begins with Curiosity and ends in Discovery
Technology = the use of knowledge to solve practical problems or
applying knowledge
v Science and technology are interdependent - advances in one
lead to advances in the other!
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Branches of Science: Natural Science
1) Physical Science
a) Physics = the study of matter and energy & the interactions
between the two through forces and motion
b) Chemistry = the study of the composition, structure, properties
and reactions of matter
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2) Earth/Space Science (the application of physics and chemistry to
the study of EARTh & SPACE)
a) Geology = the study of the origin, history &
structure of Earth
b) Astronomy = the study of the universe beyond earth,
including the sun, moon, planets & stars
c) Meteorology = the study of the atmosphere
and weather
d) Oceanography = the study of oceans and
their phenomena
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3) Life Science (Biology- the study of the chemistry, physics,
origin and behavior of living things)
a) Botany = plants
b) Ecology = relationships between organisms and
their environments
c) Zoology = Animals
d) Genetics = heredity transmission
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BIG IDEAS OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE:
Space & Time:
Ø The universe is 13.7 billion years old
Ø The observable universe is about 7.0 x 10 26meters in diameter
Ø The earth's diameter is 12,700,000 meters
Matter & Change:
Ø Matter has volume & mass
Ø On earth matter is usually in the form of solid, liquid, gas or
plasma
Ø All matter is made of ATOMS
Ø Atoms are made of electrons, protons & neutrons
Forces & Motion:
Ø Forces cause changes in motion
Energy:
Ø Energy exists in many forms such as potential & kinetic
Ø When matter changes forms energy is absorbed or released
v
Science is a process AND a body of knowledge - Be skeptical!
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SCIENTIFIC METHOD - An organized plan for gathering, organizing
and communicating information. Used to solve a problem or better
understand an observed event.
Observations - Information obtained through your senses.
Facts - Repeatable observations.
Hypothesis - A TESTABLE proposed answer to a question.
Experiments are used to test hypotheses.
Manipulated Variable - the variable, or condition, that causes a change
in another (also called the independent variable)
Responding Variable - the variable that changes in response to the
manipulated variable (also called the dependent variable)
Controlled Variables - all other factors which must remain constant to
have a controlled experiment (to examine ONLY how the Manipulated
Variable affects the Responding Variable.)
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