Exploring Physical Science

Lesson 1Mrs. Martin

3 Main Categories of Science

• Life Science

• Earth Science

• Physical Science

What is physical science? • Def. Study of matter and

energy• Matter anything that has

mass and takes up space “stuff” that everything is made of

• Ex: shoes, pencil, air • Energy ability to do

work• Ex: cheetah has energy of

motion, food has energy that is used for daily activities

Branches of Physical Science

CHEMISTRY • study of all forms of matter, including

how matter interacts with other matter

• study of how substances changes in a chemical reaction

PHYSICS• Studying different forms of energy and

the way that energy affects matter• Includes motion, force, gravity,

electricity, light, and heat

What is the Scientific Method???

• http://www.brainpop.com/science/scientificinquiry/scientificmethod/

SCIENTIFIC METHODdef. an organized set of investigation procedures

• 1. State the problem –Make an Observation

• 2. Research and Gather Materials: learn as much as possible about the background of the problem

• 3. Form a Hypothesis: possible explanation for a problem using what you know and what you observe

• 4. Test the Hypothesis: by observations, build a model, perform an experiment

Experiment: tests the effect of one thing on another by using controlled conditions

A. Variables: quantity that can have more than a single value; an experiment usually contains at least 2 variables ex: plant growth- temperature, soil type, amount of water

• Dependent variable- factor that changes as a result of changes in other variables ex: growth of plant

• Independent variable- factor that, as it changes, affects the dependent variable ex: change the amount of water affects growth (DV)

B. Control: standard by which the test results can be compared ex: no water at allConstant: a factor that does not change when other variables change

• 5. Analyzing Data: look at recorded charts, notes, data

• Data: def. any pieces of information acquired through experimentation

• 6. Draw Conclusions: Based on data analysis, you decide whether or not you support your hypothesis, you might need more information

• 7. Communicating Results: scientific paper, presentation, create a web site

• WHY? Telling others what you learned keep scientists going and based on your experiment they can perform other experiments

Being Objective

• Scientists have to be careful to reduce bias in experiments!!!

• Bias- occurs when scientist’s expectations change the results of the experiment are viewed

How?? • Run as many trials as possible• Keep accurate notes of observations made• Experiment should be repeatable

HOMEWORK• complete scientific

method ws• OPTIONAL: voc note

cards matter, energy, chemistry, physics, scientific method, hypothesis, experiment, variable, dependent variable, independent variable, control, data