Prologue

In the first unit of the year we will explore the nature of physical science. You will be asked to use observations to make inferences, and to follow the steps of the scientific method to arrive at conclusions. We will also cover the components of an experiment, and the basics of lab safety. 


The Scientific Method

Observation, Inference, & Measurement
"Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science."
 -  Edwin Hubble (1889 - 1953)
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Observation: 

Observations are defined as information gained using the senses. They are generally described using quantitative (numbers) and qualitative (colors, shapes, etc.) terms.


Observations in science need to be reproducible in order for the process to grow into theory. This requires that observations made by different observers be comparable.



Inference: 

An interpretation based on observation.

Measurement:

The idea of measurement evolved to allow recording and comparison of observations made at different times and places by different people. 

Measurement consists of using a known standard. This allows people everywhere to duplicate the standard units to objects.

Scientific Instruments: Human senses are limited and are subject to errors, so scientific instruments were developed to improve human powers of observation.

Examples: 

Rulers, graduated cylinders, telescopes, microscopes, thermometers & many others that we will use and discuss this year.

Interactive Measurement:

Use the interactive measurement simulator below to practice making accurate measurements with various scales.

Rounding Interactive:

Scientific Notation Interactive:

Electromagnetic Energy, Heat, and Temperature

Matter

Density Interactive

Below is the "Scale of the Universe" Interactive

Activate the file by clicking the START icon, then click and drag the slidebar to explore the universe from the infinitesimally small to the galactically large.

The measurements you will find within this file will make you appreciate the truth about
the numbers used in the mathematics of physics within the universe!!!
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