Chapter 1: Introduction to Science

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Chapter 1 Introduction to Science

• 1.1 The Nature of Science
• 1.2 The Way Science Works
• 1.3 Organizing Data

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Vocabulary

• Critical Thinking
• Scientific method
• Variable
• Length
• Mass
• Volume
• Weight

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Important Science Skills

• Identifying problems
• Planning experiments
• Recording observations
• Reporting analyzing data
• Learning to think like a scientist
• Thinking critically
• Critical thinking applying logic and reason to
  solve problems

4
Scientific Method a process used to solve
problems
If not, modify hypothesis based on observations.
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Scientific Method

• Used by EVERYONE, not just scientists!
• There is no single scientific method it is a way
  of thinking rather than an exact path for
  scientists to follow.
• No experiment is a failure!
• Every experiment provides observations
  information about our natural world.
• Think of Roentgen who accidentally discovered
  x-rays.

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Experimental Parts

• Control part of experiment that stays unchanged
  considered normal
• Variable part of experiment that varies. Test
  only 1 variable at a time.
• Why? Otherwise, it is harder to make reliable
  conclusions.

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Types of Variables

• Independent variable variable that changes to
  see what happens
• Dependent variable depends on independent
  variable may change because of independent
  variable.
• Example The size of tomatoes depends on the
  amount of sun they receive.
• Independent variable Amount of sun
• Dependent variable Size of tomatoes

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Units of Measurement

• Scientists use the International System of Units
  (abbreviated SI units)
• Why? Then, no matter where you are in the world,
  sharing data is much easier for scientists.

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SI Base Units
Quantity Unit Abbreviation
Length Meter m
Mass Kilogram kg
Time Seconds s
Temperature Kelvin K
Electric Current Ampere A
Amount of substance Mole mol
Volume Cubic meter m3
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SI Base Units (continued)
Other Units
Millimeter (mm), centimeter (cm), inch (in), feet
Gram (g), milligram (mg)
Millisecond (ms), minute (min), hour (hr)
Fahrenheit (F), Celsius (C)
Milliampere (mA)
Millimole (mmol)
Cubic centimeter (cm3), milliliter (mL), liter (L)
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Making Measurements

• Length straight line distance between 2 points
• Mass amount of matter in an object
• Volume how much space something takes up
• Weight force with which gravity pulls on matter