Standard: The student will demonstrate an understanding of how scientific inquiry and technological design, including mathematical analysis can be used appropriately to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.

Chapter 1 Objectives

Define science

List and describe the main categories of science.

List and describe the steps to the scientific method.

Identify and describe the components of an experiment.

Differentiate between law and theory.

Differentiate between science and technology.

List and describe the metric prefixes and base units.

Differentiate between the 2 measurement systems we use.

List and describe the types of graphs.

1. Science is a process to gain knowledge about nature.

2. Science is divided into three main categories:

a. life or biological (living things),

b. earth (Earth and space),

c. Physical science(matter and energy).

3. The scientific method involves six steps:

a. state the problem,

b. gather information,

c. form a hypothesis,

d. test the hypothesis,

e. analyze data,

f. draw conclusions.

4. When testing a hypothesis, either an experiment or a model is usually used.

5. Identify the four components of an experiment.

a. Constant – stays the same, does not change

b. Control – standard used to compare results

c. Dependent variable – changes based on independent variable

d. Independent – what you change

Sample Experiment

Test 4 plants to see what fertilizer causes most growth

Plant A - no fertilizer

Plant B - Sam’s Brand

Plant C - Miracle Grow

Plant D - Manure

Sunflowers are watered twice each day and placed in the same window sill.

Identify the four components in the experiment.

Constant - sunflower, times watered, location

Control - Plant A

Independent Variable - fertilizer

Dependent Variable - plant growth

6. A scientific theory is an explanation of things based on knowledge gained from

repeated observations and investigations.

A theory tells why something happens and it may change.

7. A scientific law is a statement about what happens that seems to be true all the time.

A law tells what happens and it does not change.

8. Science is general knowledge about nature.

9. Technology is the application of science to help people.

Both can sometimes be used in ways that are not positive.

10. There are two measurement systems that are commonly used: English and Metric

11. The English System (Foot-Pound System) is the old system that is most commonly

used in the US. (ex. Gallons, pounds, feet, inches, quarts,

12. Scientists and most other countries use the metric system (SI).

13. In the SI system, each measurement has a base unit and a symbol for that unit.

15. The metric system is based on quantities of 10 and has prefixes that correspond.

16. Copy and Know Table 1 and Table 2 on page 15.

17. Metric prefixes can be converted the following way.

When given measurement.

Step 1 - Find the prefix you start with.

Step 2 - Determine the prefix you end with.

Step 3 - Move your decimal place the same spaces in the same direction you

moved to find the prefix you end with.

Ex.

K H D U D C M

kilo hecto deka unit deci centi milli

108.2 grams = ___________ kilograms .2486 kilometers = _______centimeters.

Step 1. Start at the unit. Step 1. Start at kilo.

Step 2. Move to kilo. (3 spaces left) Step 2. Move to centi (5 spaces right)

Step 3. Move the decimal 3 spaces left Step 3. Move the decimal 5 space right.

108.2 grams = __.1082______ kilograms .2486 kilometers = _24860 centimeters

18. When measuring volume, there are two ways volume can be found.

In a solid a volume is the length times width times height measured in cm³ or m³.

In a liquid, the volume is the capacity to hold an amount measured in liters.

19. Density it the mass per unit volume.

20. There are 3 temperature scales that we use to measure: Fahrenheit (English),

Celsius and Kelvin.

21. Kelvin and Celsius have divisions the same size so K= C + 273.

22. A graph is a visual display of data.

23. We use 3 different types of graphs.

24. A line graph is used to show continuous change or a change over time.

25. A bar graph is used to show counting data or comparison of results.

26. A circle or pie graph is used to show parts of a whole quantity or percentages.

25. When constructing a line graph, there are 5 things you need to be sure to include:

a. Title

b. label x-axis

c. label y-axis

d. scales

e. connect the points

26. When constructing a bar graph, there are 4 things you need to be sure to include:

a. Title

b. label x-axis

c. label y-axis

d. scales

27. When constructing a circle graph, there are 3 things you need to be sure to include:

a. Title

b. convert to percentages

c. make sure the graph makes sense