Unit 1, Lesson 3

empirical evidence

scientific evidence obtained by careful observation and experimentation. All the measurements and data scientists gather in support of a scientific explanation.

chemist

A person engaged in chemical research or experiments.

scientific law

A rule that describes a pattern in nature. A basic principle that applies everywhere and in all situations.

Paleontologist

study of fossils or extinct organisms

geologist

study rocks/earth

Natural Sciences

1. Biology/Life Science 2. Geology/Earth Science 3. Physics/Physical Science

What are two methods scientist use to obtain empirical evidence?

1. Fieldwork - Gives scientists the opportunity to collet data in an original setting. Laboratory - Gives scientist the opportunity to collect data in a controlled environment.

law / theory

A scientific __________ describes what happens, but a scientific ___________ describes what. reasons it happens.

How do you distinguish a scientific theory from a scientific law?

A scientific law describes a specific relationship under given conditions in the natural world. Scientific laws describe the WAY the world works. A scientific theory attempts to explain HOW things happen. Theories help us understand laws we observe.

How is the use of the word theory in science different from its more common use?

Commonly, we think of a theory as a kind of guess or "hunch." In science, a theory is much more. A scientific theory is an explanation supported by a large amount of evidence.

chemistry / laboratory

Empirical evidence about how substances combine might be collected by a __________ doing work in the _____________

geologist / fieldwork

Empirical evidence about rocks might be collected by a _________________ doing ________________.

Laboratory Work

Gives scientist the opportunity to collect data in a controlled environment.

Fieldwork

Gives scientists the opportunity to collet data in an original setting.

collaborate / debate

Scientist often _________ and _________ to help them interpret complex ideas.

Can scientific knowledge be changed?

Yes, we always continue to observe and test theories and laws.

biologist

a scientist who studies living things

physicist

a scientist who studies or is a specialist in physics; physical science

scientific theory

a well-tested explanation for a set of observations or experimental results