Physical Science-Chapter 1

Law

A general hypothesis or statement about the relationship of natural quantities that has been tested over and over again and has not been contradicted; also known as a principle.

Fact

A phenomenon about which competent observers can agree.

Theory

A synthesis of a large body of information that encompasses well-tested hypotheses about certain aspects of the natural world.

Principle of falsifiability

For a hypothesis to be considered scientific, it must be testable--it must, in principle, be capable of being proven wrong.

Observations; analysis; and experimentation

Science usually encompasses keen_________, rational _________, and _______________.

We mean that it must be capable of being proven wrong.

Specifically, what do we mean when we say that a scientific hypothesis must be testable?

Technolgy

The means of solving practical problems by applying the findings of science.

Hypothesis

An educated guess or a reasonable explanation. When the hypothesis can be tested by experiment, it qualifies as scientific hypothesis.

Scientific method

An orderly method for gaining, organizing, and applying new knowledge.

Why do we believe that focusing on math too early is a mistake in an introductory science course?

Because it is a poor substitute for learning the concepts.

When a scientific hypothesis has been tested over and over again and has not been contradicted, it may become known as a law or principle. A scientific fact, on the other hand, is generally something that competent observers can observe and agree to be true. A theory is a synthesis of facts and well-tested hypotheses. A hypothesis is an educated guess or a reasonable explanation (prediction).

Distinguish among a scientific fact, a hypothesis, a law, and a theory.

Galileo showed the falseness of Aristotle's claim with a single experiment--dropping heavy and light objects from the Leaning Tower of Pisa.

How did Galileo disprove Aristotle's idea that heavy objects fall faster than light objects?

In everyday speech, a theory is the same as a hypothesis--a statement that hasn't been tested. In science a theory is a synthesis of a large body of verified information.

How does the definition of the word theory differ in science vs. in everyday life?

1. Observe 2. Question 3. Hypothesis 4. Prediction 5. Test the hypothesis\predictions 6. Draw a conclusion.

In the 17th century Galileo and the English philosopher Francis Bacon formalized the scientific method which includes the following steps:

Testable; wrong

For a hypothesis to be considered scientific it must be_________--it must, in principle, be capable of being proven_________.

There can be hypothesis that are not scientific but still reasonable.

Is any hypothesis that is not scientific necessarily unreasonable? Explain.

Galileo; experiments

Modern science began in the 17th century, when the Italian physicist_____________used_____________rather than speculation, to study nature's behavior.

Supernatural; Philosophical

Science is restricted to the observable natural world. Therefore, scientific methods have no way of accounting for testimonies involving the __________. Likewise, science is unable to answer ______ questions.

Science

The collective findings of humans about nature, and the process of gathering and organizing knowledge about nature.

Technology; the instruments; helpful; harmful

_____________enables humans to use scientific knowledge for practical purposes. It provides _____________ scientists need to conduct their experiments. Technology is a double-edged sword, however. It can be both ___________and __________.