Understanding the Scientific Method and Nature of Science, Slides of Earth Sciences

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The Scientific Method^ …and the Nature of Science

What is science?

^ Science is the total collection of knowledgegained by man's observation of the physicaluniverse. ^ It tries to answer the questions "how" and "why." ^ It is a logical way of problem solving. ^ It is basically common sense

The Limitations of Science  Cannot make value judgments.  Cannot prove something doesn't exist(universal negative).  Scientific investigation is as limited as theinstruments we use.

Scientific Statements  Facts - things that are observable andindisputable.  Data - any piece of information; usually gainedthrough experimentation.  Laws - statements that describe patterns innature with no known exceptions.  Theories^ - explanations usually based onevidence (may be wrong).  Models^ - man-made ideas to help us visualizescientific concepts.

Scientific Experimentation  An experiment is a controlled test to find the answer to a question.  Only one condition in an experiment is changed at a time.  a. The conditions that affect the outcome are called

variables.

^ b.^ Independent Variable

• the one changed by the experimenter.  c.^ Dependent Variable - the condition that changes because of above.  Factors in experiments that do not change are called

constants.

Scientific Experimentation  Experiments have two parts:  a.^ Control Group

• group under normal conditions (nothing unusual done to it).  b.^ Experimental Group - the test group in which variables are changed.  The goal of an experiment is to predictwhat might happen in similar situations.

Systems of Measurement  English System of Measurement

:^ is the one you use commonly, and includes pounds, feet, and gallons.  International System of Measurement or SI:

is called the metric

system in the United States. This system is based on units of ten,and all science measurements are made using this system.  Know these SI units:  Meter^ - unit of length (about a yard)  Kilogram

• unit of mass (about ½ a pound) ^ Liter^ - unit of volume (about a quart) ^ Celsius Degrees - unit of temperature (about ½ a degree F°) ^ Second - unit of time

^ Is it true that cannibals don't eat clowns because theytaste funny? - Steven Wright ^ It is an important and popular fact that things are notalways what they seem. For instance, on the planetEarth, man had always assumed that he was moreintelligent than dolphins because he had achieved somuch -- the wheel, New York, wars and so on -- whilstall the dolphins had ever done was muck about in thewater having a good time. But conversely, the dolphinshad always believed that they were far more intelligentthan man -- for precisely the same reasons.- Douglas Adams

Final Words