Understanding the Scientific Method and Basic Science Concepts

1. Chapter 1 About Science

2. Galileo Movie Definitions • Aristotle-3rd Century BC Philosopher (scientist); believed the Earth was the center of the universe • Aristotelian-a believer in Aristotle’s theory of the universe • Copernicus-16th Century Astronomer; believed the Sun was the center of the universe • Copernican-A believer in Copernicus’ theory of the Universe • Heretic-A person who does not believe in the “established theory” • Inquisition-Trial of a person or group because of their beliefs or lack of

3. The Basic Science-Physics • The Most Basic Science • About the nature of basic things • Motion, forces, energy, matter, heat, sound, light • Ideas reach up to more complicated sciences • Uses Mathematics to describe and analyze

4. The Scientific Method • Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) and Francis Bacon (1561-1626) usually credited as creating the scientific method • a method that is effective in gaining, organizing, and applying new knowledge

5. I only wish his name were Pork Roll

6. Scientific Method • Recognize a problem • Make an educated guess (hypothesis) about the answer. • Predict the consequences of the hypothesis. • Perform Experiments to test prediction. • Formulate the simplest general rule that organizes the 3 main ingredients: hypothesis, prediction, experimental outcome.

7. The Scientific Attitude • Fact-a close agreement by competent observers of a series of observations of the same phenomena • Law-the result of testing a hypothesis over and over and finding no contradictions • Theory-a synthesis of a large body of information that attempts to explain a scientific idea.

8. Scientific Hypotheses must be testable • In order to be classified as scientific, a hypothesis must be testable. • Must be a test for proving it wrong • Example-Which is a scientific hypothesis? • Atoms are the smallest particles of matter that exist. • The universe is surrounded by a second universe, the existence of which cannot be detected by scientists. • Albert Einstein is the greatest physicist of all time. #1 is considered scientific because there is a test for proving it wrong.

9. Science, Technology, Art and Religion • Science answers theoretical questions • Technology solves practical problems • Art creates objects that stimulate the senses • Religion deals with nature’s purpose • ALL AREAS ARE COMPLEMENTARY, NOT ANTAGONISTIC (against each other)

10. Rounding Numbers For EVERY physics problem solved this year, your answer should be rounded at the third number. • If the fourth number (that is not 0) is between 0 and 4, change the 4th number and all remaining numbers to 0. (if they are after the decimal, you can eliminate them) • If the fourth number is between 5 and 9, add 1 to the third number and change the fourth number on to zeros (or delete if after the decimal).

11. Rounding Practice • Suppose you get the following answers to a physics problem. • 23.4167823 • Look at the fourth number (1) • 1 is between 0 and 4 so delete the 1 and the remaining numbers • Your answer should be 23.4

12. Rounding Practice • Suppose you get the following answers to a physics problem. • 12,167,823 • Look at the fourth number (6) • 6 is between 5 and 9 so add 1 to the 1 and change the remaining numbers to zeros • Your answer should be 12,200,000

13. Rounding Practice • Suppose you get the following answers to a physics problem. • .00012376543 • Look at the fourth number not 0 (7) • 7 is between 5 and 9 so add 1 to the 3 and delete the remaining numbers • Your answer should be .000124

14. Homework • Rounding Practice