Physics Lesson 1-1 Nature of science

Methods of Science

Lesson 1

Focus Question

What do physicists do?

New Vocabulary

physics

scientific methods

hypothesis

model

scientific theory

scientific law

Review Vocabulary

control: a baseline test or observation used for
comparing against other results in an
experiment

Scientific Methods

•

Many investigations begin
when someone observes an
event in nature and
wonders why or how it
occurs. The question of
“why” or “how” is the
problem.

•

Researching information
already known about a
problem helps to fine-tune
the question.

Scientific Methods

•

A hypothesis is a possible
explanation for a problem
using what you know and
have observed.

•

Hypotheses can be tested
by:
•

Observations

•

Models

•

Experiments (Test the
effect of one thing on
another, using a control.)

Scientific Methods

•

An important part of every
investigation is recording
observations and organizing
data into tables and graphs.

•

The next step is to decide
whether the hypothesis is
supported.
•

If so, the data must be
reproducible.

•

If not, the hypothesis
must be reconsidered.

Models

•

A model is a representation of an idea, event, structure,
or object that helps people better understand it.

•

Scientists use models when an object is too large or too
small, when a process takes too much time, or when a
material is hazardous.
Why do scientists use a model to represent the atom?

Scientific Theories and Laws

•

A scientific theory is an explanation of things or
events based on knowledge gained from many
observations and investigations.
•

A theory is not a hypothesis; it is what a
hypothesis becomes after numerous trials
producing data that support the hypothesis.

•

A theory is never permanent. It can change as new
data becomes available.

Scientific Theories and Laws

•

A scientific law is a statement about what happens in
nature and seems to be true all the time.
•

Laws tell you what will happen under certain
conditions, but they do not explain why or how
something happens.

Example: Gravity
•

The law of gravity states that any one mass will
attract another mass.

•

There are many theories that have been
proposed to explain how gravity works.

The Limitations of Science

•

Science cannot explain or solve every question.

•

A scientific question must be testable and verifiable.
•

Questions about opinions, values, or emotions are
not scientific and cannot be tested.

Determine if each of the following questions can be
answered by science.

The Limitations of Science

•

How does a force change the motion of an object?

•

Which season is best?

•

How does a battery work?

•

Was Mark Twain a good writer?

•

Should we have pizza or hamburgers for lunch?

•

Under what conditions is energy conserved?

Multiple Choice

How does a force change the motion of an object?

• Science can answer this question because an
  experiment would provide the answer.

• No

• Yes

• Science can answer this question because an
  experiment wouldn't provide the answer.

Multiple Choice

"Which season is best?"

• Science cannot answer this
  question because it is an opinion.

• Science CAN answer this
  question because it is an opinion.

• incorrect

• Yes

Multiple Choice

How does a battery work?

• Yes

• Science cannot answer this question

• Science cannot answer this
  question because an experiment would provide
  the answer.

• Science can answer this
  question because an experiment would provide
  the answer.

Multiple Choice

Was Mark Twain a good writer?

• Fact

• Science cannot
  answer this question because it is an opinion.

• Science can
  answer this question because it is an opinion.

• Yes

Multiple Choice

Should we have pizza or hamburgers for lunch?

• No

• Facts

• Science cannot answer this question because it is
  an opinion.

• Science can answer this question because it is
  an opinion.

Multiple Choice

Under what conditions is energy conserved?

• Science can answer this question because an
  experiment would provide the answer.

• YES

• Science cannot answer this question because an
  experiment would provide the answer.

• Facts

Quiz

ecosystems

D

the structure of the
universe

C

properties of
compounds

B

the structure of cells

A

Which of the following is a physicist most likely to study?

1.

CORRECT

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a physicist most likely to study?

• The structure of the cells

• Properties of compounds

• The structure of the universe

• Ecosystems

Multiple Choice

Which is the most likely first step for an investigation that follows a scientific method?

• Form a hypothesis

• Modify the hypothesis

• Draw conclusions

• state the problem

Multiple Choice

Which are representations of ideas, events, structures, or objects that help people better understand them?

• scientific law

• scientific theories

• Models

• Predictions

Multiple Choice

Which is an explanation of things or events based on knowledge gained from many investigations?

• scientific theory

• scientific law

• Hypothesis

• model

Multiple Choice

Which is a statement about what happens in nature and seems to be true all the time?

• scientific law

• Hypothesis

• scientific theory

• conclusion