Nature of Science Flashcards
Attributes of science
- Discovers and documents natural phenomena
- Constructs and evaluates explanations of phenomena
- Objective
- Testable
- Public
Attributes of Pseudoscience
- Cannot be tested
- Not backed by facts or data
- Based on dogma
- Lack of evidence against it serves as evidence for it
What is an observation?
An observation is something noted or perceived using one or more of the five senses.
What is an inference?
An inference is a conclusion reached by using prior observations. Inferences may change as new observations are made.
What is biology?
From words “bios” and “logia”. Means “study of life”.
What is chemistry?
The branch of science that deals with the changes and reactions between substances.
What is physics?
The branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter and energy.
What is geology?
The study of the structure of the earth and its origin.
What is astronomy?
The study of the observable universe beyond the atmosphere of Earth.
What is an atom?
The smallest amount of matter that can exist while being recognized as pertaining to a certain substance. Makes up all matter.
What is a proton?
A positive sub-atomic particle.
True or False: Neutrons are positive sub-atomic particles.
False. Neutrons are neutral.
True or False: Electrons are negative sub-atomic particles.
True.
True or False: Atomic mass depends on the amount of protons in the nucleus of an atom.
False. Atomic mass is roughly the number of protons and neutrons in an element (explanation: they both weigh about 1u).
True or False: The Atomic number depends on the amount of protons an element has.
True.
What is the periodic table of elements?
A form of classification for all the known elements. Grouped based on atomic mass.
What are the columns in the periodic table known as?
Groups or families.
What are the rows in the periodic table known as?
Periods.
What are elements?
Pure substances that cannot be broken down by physical or chemical means.
Who is Dmitri Mendeléev?
The creator of the first version of the table of elements (1869).
Inference or an observation? If it’s an observation, what kind?- The grass is wet.
Observation; qualitative.
Inference or an observation? If it’s an observation, what kind?- The bird is a foot tall.
Observation; quantitative.
Inference or an observation? If it’s an observation, what kind?- The rock was formed by volcanic activity.
Inference.
What are some types of pseudosciences?
Astrology, herbalism, creationism (intelligent design), numerology, 2012 apocalypse, psychokinesis, polygraphy, hypnosis, dowsing, and homeopathy.
What are some pseudosciences?
Astrology, numerology, 2012 apocalypse, psychokinesis, polygraphy, creationism (intelligent design), herbalism, hypnosis, dowsing, and homeopathy.
What is a qualitative observation?
An observation based on measurements.
What is a qualitative observation?
An observation based on descriptive language (e.g. something being “smelly”, “sour”, or “white”).
Inference or an observation? If it’s an observation, what kind?- The grass is wet.
Observation; qualitative.
What are the layers of the earth?
Core (mainly iron and nickel, solid), mantle (mostly iron and magnesium, liquid), and crust (mostly oxygen and silicon, outer layer).
What are some sciences?
Chemistry, geology, biology, and physics.
Where are the alkali metals and what do they have in common?
Group IA (excluding Hydrogen). They each have 1 electron in its outer shell.
Where are the alkaline earth metals and what do they have in common?
Group IIA. They are all metals and have 1 electron in each elements’ outer shell.
Where are the transition elements and what do they have in common?
Group B. They are all metals despite the fact that the number of electrons in each respective elements’ outer shell vary.
Where is the boron family and what do they have in common?
Group IIIA. 3 electrons in each elements’ outer shell.
Where is the carbon family and what do they have in common?
Group IVA. 4 electrons in each elements’ outer shell.
Where is the nitrogen family and what do they have in common?
Group VA. 5 electrons in each elements’ outer shell.
Where are the alkaline earth metals?
Group IIA.
Where are the transition elements?
Group B.
Where is the boron family?
Group IIIA.
Where is the carbon family?
Group IVA.
Where is the nitrogen family?
Group VA.
Where is the oxygen family and what do they have in common?
Group VIA. 6 electrons in each elements’ outer shell.
Where are the halogens and what do they have in common?
Group VIIA. 7 electrons in each elements’ outer shell.
Where are the noble gases and what do they have in common?
Group VIIIA. All contain a full set of electrons in each elements’ outer shell.
Where is the lanthanide series and what do they have in common?
Group B. They are all rare-earth elements.
Where is the actinide series in the periodic table and what do they have in common?
Group B. They are radioactive and mostly man-made.
How many spheres is the earth composed of and what are they called?
Four. The lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere.
What is the lithosphere?
(Also known as solid Earth) Consists of the planet’s core, mantle, and crust.
