Science in Civilization Exam #1
Define speed and give equation
The rate at which an object moves. Speed = Distance/Time (in secs)
Define Velocity and give equation
The speed of something in a given direction. Velocity = Distance/Time (in secs)
What is the difference between an experiment and an observation?
There is no control over the variables in an observational study. An experiment is a method of applying treatments to a group and recording the effects Experimentation in Science needs: -Experimental variable- whatever you are testing -Dependent variable- observable change that results from testing -Control- everyday of experiment expect for "Treatment"
What are the two kinds of motion in the universe?
Uniform motion- when an object travels in a line and constant direction and speed Acceleration- any change in direction or speed
What is a nanometer, a meter, a kilometer, and micrometer?
Units of Length Nanometer (nm) - one billionth of a meter - 10 to the minus 9th Micrometer (um) - one millionth of a meter - 10 to the minus 6th Meter - 100 centimeters - 10 squared centimeters Kilometer - 1,000 meters - 10 cubed meters
In what ways does the history of Lyme Disease show how the scientific method can be applied to a modern day problem?
Uses the scientific method to solve a problem ' 1) People had to make observations: -Both adults and children came down with arthritis symptoms -Victims lived in wooded areas -Symptoms appeared in summer -Not contagious -Bull's eye rash 2) Had to Formulate Hypothesis to find out what is wrong - Inductive reasoning - specific to general (observations to hypothesis statement) -First hypothesis - disease caused by a virus and transmitted by an arthropod. 3) Had to then test hypothesis - Deductive reasoning-from general statement (hypothesis) to specific (conclusion) -Statement of first hypothesis - If Lyme disease is caused by a virus and transmitted by an arthropod, then it should be possible to find viruses in the blood of area arthropods and in the blood of victims. 4) Then a Consultation was made resulting from testing first hypothesis -Scientists learned that Lyme Disease is caused by a bacteria called a spirochete which is carried by deer ticks. Field mice allow bacteria and ticks to over winter.
Why do scientists agree that Stonehenge was not built by ancient astronauts?
We believe it was done on human terms. Needed lots of time, humans, and social skills
What is a Newton?
unit of force Units in kilometer/second^2 = Kg/ms^2 Force = mass * acceleration
Describe the steps of the scientific method
1. Data collection - observations i.e. penicillin and synthetic rubber 2. Hypothesis - Educated guess 3. Testing of hypothesis by experimentation a. Supports or doesn't support hypothesis b. You can not "prove" a hypothesis correct because science is always open-ended to leave room for new information. You can prove a hypothesis FALSE 4. Conclusion
What are the most common units of measurement in the metric system?
1. Length - standard metric unit is meter 2. Mass - standard metric unit is kilogram 3. Time - standard metric unit is second 4. Charge - either positive or negative
What are Newton's 3 laws of motion?
1st - A moving object will continue to move at a constant speed and a stationary object will stay at rest, unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. 2nd - The acceleration that is produce on an object is proportional to the force that is applied and inversely proportional to the size of the mass of the object Ex: If you hit something hard, it will go further. And if you hit something smaller it will go far as well. 3rd - For every force, there is an equal and opposite force called a contact force
What is mechanics?
A branch of physics that deals with analyzing the effects of forces on objects or systems. The study of the motion of objects
What distinguishes a hypothesis from a theory?
A hypothesis becomes a theory when observations and experiments come to same conclusion over time. Then a theory becomes law when it lasts for a very long time.
What does the constant "g" stand for?
Acceleration of a falling object as a result of gravity "g" = 9.8 m/s^2 (meters per sec squared)
What is the difference between basic and applied science?
Basic Science is lab Science, while applied Science is the practical application of basic science -Ex: Large scale research of development funded by the government
Why is gravity called a universal force?
Because it is the same on earth and in space
What did Tycho Brache try to do to resolve the question of the structure of the universe?
Brache - discovered the supernova. Was giving an island and used it to measure the distance between plants and stars
What is a chaotic system?
Every measurement (system) has an error For some systems, even if you know everything knowable about the system you still can't predict what will occur
Why do people Science?
For Predictability: predict what is going to happen next... Ex: Change in seasons, temperature changes, stars and planets in the night sky For Observation Ex: London, England early 1600's (Cholera epidemic) Dr. Snow in London discovered the disease was found around the water pumps
How did Galileo study falling objects?
Galileo and falling objects - need to know both distance and time. Galileo's day there were no good clocks for measuring small increments of time. Galileo slowed time by experimentally, and a inclined plane.
Who pays for most scientific research in the United States?
Government agencies: National Science Foundation (Funding for a lot of schools in all levels) Department of Energy (Focuses on Nuclear and Alternative energy) Department of Agriculture (Focuses on food safety) Environment protection Agency (Focuses on the preservation of environment) National Institute of Health (CDC)
Difference between inductive and deductive reasoning
Inductive reasoning helps to formulate hypothesis Deductive reasoning helps test hypothesis
How did Stonehenge allow primitive people to make predictions?
It is a calendar for the seasons. The sun is over the head stone
What was Kepler's role in interpreting Brache's data?
Kepler was Brache's student. Discovered sun centered elliptical orbits
What is the difference between weight and mass?
Mass is the amount of space an object takes up. Weight is the measure of gravity on that object. If gravity changes, weight changes, but mass stays the same.
Describe the main features of the Ptolemaic and Copernican systems of the universe.
Ptolemaic is a earth centered solar system and Copernican is Sun centered solar system
Define Acceleration
Rate of change of velocity a = (Vf - Vi) / Time (in secs)
What does the constant "G" stand for?
Gravity- force that is proportional to the mass of an object "G" is the universal force for earth and space Force of Gravity = G * (mass 1 * mass 2) / d^2 G = 6.67 * 10^-11
What is the difference between Science, Nonscience, and Pseudoscience?
Science- Must observe, experiment, test results, verifiable, and reproductive results Ex: Chemistry, Biology, Physics Nonscience- Things that are not quantifiable or not testable. Dealing with human emotion and memory. Ex: English, History, Business, Language Pseudoscience- Has the "Flavor" of science, but it is not science Ex: Vitamins, Minerals, Alternative Health