1I Unifying Science Processes Flashcards
Foster understanding of the interconnectedness of scientific disciplines and common investigative methods.
What is science?
Science is a field of intellectual study that involves analyzing the structure and behavior of the physical world through observation and experiment.
This assumption makes it possible to use the scientific method to understand the world.
Describe the importance of the scientific method?
- A systematic approach scientists use to collect and analyze data.
- Involves controlling variables to isolate the effect of one.
- Allows for understanding the cause-and-effect relationship.
How does science view certainty?
Science never truly proves anything with certainty, but builds a body of evidence that makes ideas highly probable.
What is the importance of measurement and statistics in science?
- Measurements are limited by accuracy and precision.
- Accuracy is how close to the true value.
- Precision is how much measurements vary.
- Uncertainty is always present in measurements.
How do scientists use models in their research?
- Scientists use mathematical, physical, or visual representations to demonstrate, understand, and predict how scientific phenomena work.
- Examples include weather models and atomic models.
What system of measurement is used by scientists to communicate results clearly?
The International System of Measurement
(SI)
The SI system provides a standardized set of units that facilitates accurate data comparison and collaboration across different fields and countries.
What are the seven base units of the SI?
- Length: meter (m)
- Mass: kilogram (kg)
- Time: second (s)
- Electrical current: ampere (A)
- Thermodynamic temperature: kelvin (K)
- Amount of substance: mole (mol)
- Luminous intensity: candela (cd)
What is the purpose of an experimental group?
A group of subjects upon which a hypothesis is tested.
What is the purpose of a control group?
A group which resembles the experimental group in all other ways, but on which the hypothesis is not tested.
In some clinical trials control groups are given a placebo.
What does order refer to in science?
The idea that there are certain commonalities and relationships that allow us to understand, statistically quantify, and predict the behavior of objects, organisms, and events in the universe.
How can uncertainty in scientific understanding be reduced?
- Through the development of knowledge within related fields and understanding of related factors.
- By making more and better observations.
- By improving explanatory models and experimental methods.
What are the main categories of science?
- Earth science
- Space science
- Social science
- Life science
- Physical science
List some of the specific sciences within the main categories.
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Geology
- Astronomy
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Mathematics
- Logic
What does the assumption of consistency in the natural world imply for science?
If something like gravity is measured one day, it should be consistent the next day unless there is a rational explanation for any difference.
Why is the scientific method important?
It allows scientists to systematically collect and analyze data, ensuring that their findings are reliable and reproducible.
What is the significance of Galileo’s contributions to science?
His use of the scientific method laid the foundation for modern scientific inquiry.
His experiments with inclined planes and telescopic observations revolutionized science.
What is the difference between accuracy and precision in scientific measurements?
- Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value.
- Precision refers to the consistency of measurements, or how much they vary when repeated.
Why is no measurement in science ever perfect?
All measurements have some level of uncertainty.
Why is understanding uncertainty important in science?
It helps scientists analyze data statistically and determine how likely their ideas are true.
What does controlling variables in an experiment help determine?
How a single variable affects the result.
Why is science considered a method of study?
It seeks to explain the world by analyzing the structure and behavior of the physical world.
Why is the scientific approach to measurement and statistics common across all sciences?
It ensures that data collection and analysis are consistent and reliable.
How do scientific models help in practical applications?
They allow for predictions and problem-solving in real-world situations.
Example: Weather models predict climate changes.
What is the significance of the scientific revolution?
It fundamentally changed our understanding of the world and led to modern technological advancements.
