1 / 12

What is Physics? Ch1

What is Physics? Ch1. Physics (A) Winter, 2010-2011. What is Science?. Science. Living Things. Physical Things. Geology. Physics. Chemistry. Botany. Zoology. Biology. What is Physics?. Science – Study of Nature’s Rules and Guidelines to gain knowledge/understanding

ezra
Download Presentation

What is Physics? Ch1

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. What is Physics?Ch1 Physics (A) Winter, 2010-2011

  2. What is Science? Science Living Things Physical Things Geology Physics Chemistry Botany Zoology Biology

  3. What is Physics? • Science – Study of Nature’s Rules and Guidelines to gain knowledge/understanding • Physics – Study of matter and energy and their interactions in nature • Physics is not just the study of motion: -Study of Motion: Dynamics -Study of Stationary Objects & their Forces: Statics -Study of Motion due to heat: Thermodynamics -Study of Motion due to attraction of charged particles: Electricity

  4. What is the Language of Science? Math is used as Language of Science. Why? • Math typically has one meaning, so confusion is reduced. Ex. DC has at least 3 meanings: District of Columbia, Direct Current, & Detective Constable (a police detective in Great Britain) • Math makes a scientific idea easier to defend or disprove by experiments. Ex. F=ma • Math formulas translate through various languages: 2+2=4 can be translated in many different languages and still produce 4

  5. What is the Scientific Method? (Old School) • What It Is: Methodical approach to answering a question to solve a problem • What It Does: Increase consistency • The Creators: • Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) Italy • Francis Bacon (1561-1626) England • The 1600’s were busy times!

  6. What is Scientific Inquiry?(New School) • Observations or Experiences noted of a specific event (Ex. Sunsets are typically Red-Orange in color) • Observations lead to a question: Why? How? • Patterns are studies of the questions & observations (wavelengths of various shades of light energy) • Explanations are written theories of patterns: Due to angle of sun at time of sunset, only longer wavelengths of light are not scattered; remain visible

  7. What are the Steps of The Scientific Method? • Generate ?? after making observations of something. • Write a problem statement. • Make an educated guess (hypothesis) to answer the ?. • Predict the results of the hypothesis. • Perform experiments to test each prediction. • Organize results of all experiments (look at data). • Summarize what the data stated.

  8. What Else Could You Do? • Without Scientific Method, you could also answer questions by: • Trial and Error (Edison completed over 1000 failing light bulbs before discovering the light bulb as we know it today) • Blind Experiments-experiments w/o hypothesis (Jack Skellington in Nightmare Before Xmas) • Accidental Discovery (Microwave ovens, Post-It Notes, SuperGlue) • Even with the Scientific Method, be prepared to be wrong more times than you’re right!

  9. The Process of Science • Let’s Go to the Flowchart • What happens if evidence is discovered that contradicts a law or principle? • Then it has to be re-written or • It has to be abandoned • Has this ever happened in the real world? • You Betcha! • In my 13 years in engine testing, I have seen a principle of business abandoned at least six times. • In 1610, the geocentric model was abandoned by newly evidence-based heliocentric model of universe.

  10. How Do You Write a Hypothesis? • Hypotheses: • Must be testable; ability to prove it wrong • Does not contain speculation, emotion, or opinion: do not use words like best, most, least, always, never • Example: Oil and Vinegar do not mix. • Example: Oils from Algae can be blended with Diesel Fuel to make a Renewable Fuel.

  11. How Do You Write a Problem Statement? • A Problem Statement: • Must be complete to be efficient • Contains many details and is very specific • Bad Example: I cannot do my homework tonight. • Good Example: Because I work tonight from 3pm to 7:45pm, and I have an English paper due tomorrow, I won’t have time to do my Physics homework tonight. • Not complete enough, time and money can be lost!

  12. Final Words on Science, Technology • Science-study of life and physical things • Technology-applying this new knowledge to answer questions and solve problems EFFICIENTLY • STEM Careers-Jobs related to Scientific, Technology, Engineering, and Math • If you like science and math, you need to think about a STEM Career-the USA workforce needs you!

More Related