1、1 About ScienceScience is the study of natures rules.1 About ScienceWe cant control Earths motion, but we have learned the rules by which it moves. The study of natures rules is what this book is about. Understanding these rules adds richness to the way we see our world. 1 About SciencePhysics is ab
2、out the nature of basic things such as motion, forces, energy, matter, heat, sound, light, and the composition of atoms. 1.1 The Basic SciencePhysics1 About ScienceThe study of science branches into the study of living things and nonliving things. The life sciences include biology, zoology, and bota
3、ny. The physical sciences include geology, astronomy, chemistry, and physics.1.1 The Basic SciencePhysics1 About ScienceYou can understand other sciences much better if you first understand physics. Physics is the most basic of all the sciences. Chemistry is about how matter is put together. Biology
4、 is still more complex and involves matter that is alive. 1.1 The Basic SciencePhysics1 About ScienceWhat is physics about? 1.1 The Basic SciencePhysics1 About ScienceWhen scientific findings in nature are expressed mathematically, they are easier to verify or to disprove by experiment. 1.2 Mathemat
5、icsThe Language of Science1 About ScienceWhen the ideas of science are expressed in mathematical terms, they are unambiguous. The equations of science provide compact expressions of relationships between concepts. The methods of mathematics and experimentation have led to enormous successes in scien
6、ce.1.2 MathematicsThe Language of Science1 About ScienceWhy is mathematics the language of science? 1.2 MathematicsThe Language of Science1 About ScienceScientific methods generally include some, if not all, of the following:Recognize a problem.Make an educated guessa hypothesisabout the answer.Pred
7、ict the consequences of the hypothesis.Perform experiments to test predictions.1.Formulate the simplest general rule that organizes the main ingredients: hypothesis, prediction, and experimental outcome. 1.3 Scientific Methods1 About ScienceScientific methods are extremely effective in gaining, orga
8、nizing, and applying new knowledge.The scientific method is often credited to the Italian physicist Galileo Galilei (a.) and the English philosopher Francis Bacon (b.). 1.3 Scientific Methods1 About ScienceAlthough the scientific method is popular, it is not the universal key to discoveries and adva
9、nces in science. Trial and error, experimentation without guessing, and accidental discovery account for much of the progress in science. The success of science has more to do with an attitude of inquiry, experimentation, and humility than with a particular method. 1.3 Scientific Methods1 About Scie
10、nceWhat are the steps of a scientific method? 1.3 Scientific Methods1 About ScienceIf a scientist finds evidence that contradicts a hypothesis, law, or principle, then the hypothesis, law, or principle must be changed or abandoned. 1.4 The Scientific Attitude1 About ScienceIn science, a fact is a cl
11、ose agreement by competent observers who make a series of observations of the same phenomenon. A scientific hypothesis is an educated guess that is not fully accepted until demonstrated by experiment. When hypotheses about the relationship among natural quantities are tested over and over again and
12、not contradicted, they may become laws or principles.1.4 The Scientific Attitude1 About ScienceScientists must accept their findings even when they would like them to be different. They must distinguish between what they see and what they wish to see. 1.4 The Scientific Attitude1 About ScienceScient
13、ific TheoriesA scientific theory is a synthesis of a large body of information that encompasses well-tested and verified hypotheses about certain aspects of the natural world. 1.4 The Scientific Attitude1 About ScienceThe theories of science evolve as they go through stages of redefinition and refin
14、ement. The refinement of theories is a strength of science, not a weakness. More important than defending beliefs is improving upon them. Better hypotheses are made by those who are honest in the face of experimental evidence.1.4 The Scientific Attitude1 About ScienceWhen must a hypothesis, law, or
15、principle be changed or abandoned? 1.4 The Scientific Attitude1 About ScienceTo determine whether a hypothesis is scientific or not, look to see if there is a test for proving it wrong. 1.5 Scientific Hypotheses1 About ScienceA scientific hypothesis must be testable. It is more important that there
16、be a way of proving it wrong than that there be a way of proving it correct. If there is no test for its possible wrongness, then it is not scientific. 1.5 Scientific Hypotheses1 About ScienceHere is a hypothesis that is scientific: “No material object can travel faster than light.” Even if it were
17、supported by a thousand other experiments, this hypothesis could be proven wrong by a single experiment. (So far, we find it to be true.)1.5 Scientific Hypotheses1 About ScienceHere are hypotheses that are not scientific: The hypothesis: “The alignment of planets in the sky determines the best time
18、for making decisions” cannot be proven wrong, nor can it be proven right. It is speculation. The hypothesis: “Intelligent life exists on other planets somewhere in the universe” can be proven correct, but there is no way to prove it wrong if no life is ever found. The hypothesis: “Most people stop f
19、or red lights” doesnt link up to our general understanding of nature, so it doesnt fit into the structure of science.1.5 Scientific Hypotheses1 About ScienceExperiments are conducted to test scientific hypotheses.1.5 Scientific Hypotheses1 About Sciencethink!Which of these is a scientific hypothesis
20、?Atoms are the smallest particles of matter.The universe is surrounded by a second universe, the existence of which cannot be detected by scientists.a. Albert Einstein was the greatest physicist of the 1900s.1.5 Scientific Hypotheses1 About Sciencethink!Which of these is a scientific hypothesis?Atom
21、s are the smallest particles of matter.The universe is surrounded by a second universe, the existence of which cannot be detected by scientists.Albert Einstein was the greatest physicist of the 1900s.Answer: (a) is scientific, because there is a test for its wrongness. (b) has no test for possible w
22、rongness and is therefore unscientific. (c) is an assertion that has no test for possible wrongness. 1.5 Scientific Hypotheses1 About ScienceHow do you know if a hypothesis is scientific? 1.5 Scientific Hypotheses1 About ScienceScience is a method of answering theoretical questions; technology is a
23、method of solving practical problems. 1.6 Science, Technology, and Society1 About ScienceScience has to do with discovering facts and relationships between observable phenomena in nature and with establishing theories that organize and make sense of these facts and relationships. Technology has to d
24、o with tools, techniques, and procedures for putting the findings of science to use.1.6 Science, Technology, and Society1 About Science1.6 Science, Technology, and SocietyScience and technology make up a larger part of our everyday lives than ever before. The scientific way of thinking becomes vital
25、 to society as new facts are discovered and new ideas for caring for the planet are needed.1 About ScienceWhat is the difference between science and technology? 1.6 Science, Technology, and Society1 About ScienceScience is mostly concerned with discovering and recording natural phenomena, the arts a
26、re concerned with the value of human interactions as they pertain to the senses, and religion is concerned with the source, purpose, and meaning of everything. 1.7 Science, Art, and Religion1 About ScienceThe domains of science, art, and religion are different, even though they overlap. The domain o
27、f science is natural order. The domain of religion is natures purpose. 1.7 Science, Art, and Religion1 About ScienceThe principal values of science and the arts are comparable. Literature describes the human experience. The arts do not necessarily give us experiences, but they describe them to us an
28、d suggest what may be in store for us. Science tells us what is possible in nature. Scientific knowledge helps us to predict possibilities in nature even before these possibilities have been experienced. 1.7 Science, Art, and Religion1 About Sciencethink!Which of the following involves great amounts
29、 of human passion, talent, and intelligence?artliteraturemusica. science1.7 Science, Art, and Religion1 About Sciencethink!Which of the following involves great amounts of human passion, talent, and intelligence?artliteraturemusicscienceAnswer: All of them! 1.7 Science, Art, and Religion1 About Scie
30、nceHow are science, art, and religion different? 1.7 Science, Art, and Religion1 About ScienceProgress in our age is much quicker than it was thousands of years ago. 1.8 In Perspective1 About ScienceThe pyramids testify to human genius, endurance, and thirst for deeper understanding. A few centuries
31、 ago, cathedrals, synagogues, temples, and mosques were manifestations of peoples vision. This enormous focus of human energy was inspired by a vision that went beyond world concernsa vision of the cosmos. 1.8 In Perspective1 About ScienceToday the efforts of many of our most skilled scientists, eng
32、ineers, and artisans are directed toward building the spaceships that orbit Earth. Many people working on todays spaceships were alive before the first jetliner carried passengers. Where will younger lives lead in a comparable time? 1.8 In Perspective1 About ScienceAstronauts may one day travel in t
33、his spaceship of the future. 1.8 In Perspective1 About ScienceHow does progress today differ from progress thousands of years ago? 1.8 In Perspective1 About ScienceThe science that is basic to the other sciences isphysics. chemistry. biology. astronomy. Assessment Questions1 About ScienceThe science
34、 that is basic to the other sciences isphysics. chemistry. biology. astronomy. Answer: AAssessment Questions1 About ScienceThe language of science ismathematics. nature. common language.English. Assessment Questions1 About ScienceThe language of science ismathematics. nature. common language.English
35、. Answer: AAssessment Questions1 About ScienceThe classic scientific method, followed by Galileo and Bacon, is the method guaranteed to lead to scientific discoveries. is one of many ways that scientific discoveries are made. is today outmoded, and of little value. required memorization. Assessment
36、Questions1 About ScienceThe classic scientific method, followed by Galileo and Bacon, is the method guaranteed to lead to scientific discoveries. is one of many ways that scientific discoveries are made. is today outmoded, and of little value. required memorization. Answer: BAssessment Questions1 Ab
37、out ScienceWhen someone says, “Thats only a theory,” that person likely doesnt know that a scientific theory is a(n) guess that involves a bunch of facts.type of hypothesis.vast synthesis of well-tested hypotheses and facts.untested explanation.Assessment Questions1 About ScienceWhen someone says, “
38、Thats only a theory,” that person likely doesnt know that a scientific theory is a(n) guess that involves a bunch of facts.type of hypothesis.vast synthesis of well-tested hypotheses and facts.untested explanation.Answer: CAssessment Questions1 About ScienceFor a hypothesis to be scientific, it must
39、 be in agreement with what we know is true.have a test for proving it right.have a test for proving it wrong.be based on an existing scientific theory.Assessment Questions1 About ScienceFor a hypothesis to be scientific, it must be in agreement with what we know is true.have a test for proving it ri
40、ght.have a test for proving it wrong.be based on an existing scientific theory.Answer: CAssessment Questions1 About ScienceTechnology is a body of scientific knowledge.tool of science.form of science.solution to all of humankinds problems.Assessment Questions1 About ScienceTechnology is a body of sc
41、ientific knowledge.tool of science.form of science.solution to all of humankinds problems.Answer: BAssessment Questions1 About ScienceScience differs from art and religion because it describes the human experience. discovers and records natural phenomena.describes the source, purpose, and meaning of
42、 everything.is based on faith.Assessment Questions1 About ScienceScience differs from art and religion because it describes the human experience. discovers and records natural phenomena.describes the source, purpose, and meaning of everything.is based on faith.Answer: BAssessment Questions1 About Sc
43、ienceWhich of the following statements about progress today compared with progress centuries ago is true? Progress today is slower than it was centuries ago.Progress today is faster than it was centuries ago. Progress today is the same as it was centuries ago. There is no way to determine if progres
44、s today differs from progress centuries ago. Assessment Questions1 About ScienceWhich of the following statements about progress today compared with progress centuries ago is true? Progress today is slower than it was centuries ago.Progress today is faster than it was centuries ago. Progress today is the same as it was centuries ago. There is no way to determine if progress today differs from progress centuries ago. Answer: BAssessment Questions
