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Understanding Science

From its etymology, it comes from the Latin word scientia, which means "knowledge". Later on, in
English, it became "body of knowledge". It encompasses the different aspects of the natural and
physical world.

Three main branches of science

Physical science - deals with the study of matter and energy.

Earth science - deals with the sciences that explain the planet Earth and space.

Life science - focuses on the organisms, their life processes, and their environment

John Dalton’s atomic theory

All matter is composed of extremely small particles called atoms. Atoms of a given element are identical
in size, mass, and other properties. Atoms of different elements differ in size, mass, and other properties.
Atoms cannot be subdivided, created, or destroyed.

Technology

Tissue culture technology – an entire plant can be regenerated from a single mass of tissue using this
technology.

Food irradiation – in this process, an ionizing radiation technology (using gamma rays) is applied to food
to reduce or eliminate microorganisms that cause food-borne diseases

SCIENCE PROCESSES AND ATTITUDES

Georg Ernst Stahl

Stahl proposed that metals were made of calx, or ash, and phlogiston and that once a metal is heated,
the phlogiston leaves only the calx within the substance. He was able to make the theory applicable to
chemistry as it was one of the first unifying theories in the discipline.

Theory-is a set of explanations and organized principles to explain a certain phenomenon. Although it
explains how things work, it is not an absolute fact. What we know today through these theories may
change in the future.
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Father of Modern Chemistry

Antoine-Laurent Lavoisier-a meticulous experimenter, revolutionized chemistry. He established the law

of conservation of mass, determined that combustion and respiration are caused by chemical reactions
with what he named “oxygen,” and helped systematize chemical nomenclature, among many other
accomplishments.

The Scientific Method

The scientific method is a systematic and logical approach to solve problems or understand different
phenomena.

1. Identifying the problem

2. Formulating hypothesis

3. Data gathering (Experimenting)

4. Organizing and analyzing data

5. Drawing conclusions

Identifying the Problem

This process involves observation. You observe the environment and the things around you using your
five senses, sight, smell, taste, hearing and touch. When you observe things, you become curious.

The observations and data often lead them to ask why something is the way it is. Scientists pursue
answers to these questions in order to continue with their research. Once scientists have a good
question to investigate, they begin to think of ways to answer it

Formulation of Hypothesis

A hypothesis is formed to address a question. It is a tentative answer or an educated guess about the
question. This hypothesis has to be tested and verified. It should contain predictions about a variable or
a measurable characteristic that varies.

Independent variable or manipulated variable is the variable that you manipulate or change, whereas
the dependent variable is the result or the assumed effect of the independent variable. On the other
hand, controlled variables are the variables that remain the same all throughout the experiment.
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Data Gathering
An experiment is needed to verify the accuracy and acceptability of the formulated hypothesis. Scientists
test their formulated hypothesis using controlled and experimental groups.

• The experimental group receives the treatment, whereas the controlled group does not receive
any treatment and remains in a natural condition.

• Qualitative data are based on observable qualities and descriptions. Usually, you use your
senses to obtain qualitative data. For example, you describe the color of the leaves of the
tomato plant and the color of the tomato fruit. Quantitative data refer to the numbers obtained
using various measuring devices such as thermometers, weighing scales and rulers. Examples are
the data that you obtain when you measure the height of the plant using a ruler, the thickness of
the stem, and the weight of the fruit using a digital balance.

Organizing and Analyzing the Data

Scientists organize their data in tables, graphs, or diagrams. If possible, they include relevant data
from other sources. They look for patterns that show connections between important variables in
the hypothesis they are testing.

Drawing Conclusion
After the collection of data, you will now summarize and report what you have obtained. In
communicating the results of your investigation, thoroughly describe the method that you used and
specify the factors that may have affected the investigation. The results of your investigation will enable
other scientists to validate your hypothesis.

Scientific Measurements

SI UNITS

A Measurement is more than just a number. An accurate measurement contains an appropriate unit
that gives meaning to a number.

An accurate measurement is also necessary in conducting investigations, It is the basis of assessing

results in an experiment. So, scientists around the world agree to use the revised metric system called
the INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS or the SI
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INTERNATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITS OR SI

This system was proposed by the General Conference of Weights and Measures in 1960. Many countries,
including the Philippines, have already adopted the use of the metric system for SI units.

ENGLISH SYSTEM
Some of the units in this system are miles, yards, pounds, gallons, cups, pints, and tablespoons. The
measuring devices for these units may be inconsistent and may provide inaccurate results.

MASS- is the amount of matter in an object. This term is often used interchangeably with weight.
However, mass and weight are different quantities. Weight is the measure of the force exerted by gravity
on an object. SI unit is the kilogram

LENGTH- is the measurement of how long something is or how long the distance from one point to
another. SI unit is the meter. Kilometer can be used to express longer distances or lengths, and
centimeter can be used to express shorter lengths.

Volume-is defined as the amount of space occupied by an object. The SI standard unit is the cubic meter
or the cubic centimeter. Another common unit of volume is the liter (L) or milliliter (mL)

Density- is defined as the mass of an object per unit volume. It can be computed using the formula

Temperature-refers to the hotness or coldness of an object. It can be measured using a thermometer.

The SI unit is Kelvin.

Classification of Matter

Mixture-A mixture can be classified as either homogeneous or heterogeneous. A homogeneous mixture

(from the prefix ‘homo’ meaning same) has a uniform phase all throughout. ,

heterogenous mixture- (from the prefix hetero meaning many) has components that are not uniform
and in varying phases

A colloid (from the Greek word kolla, meaning gluelike) a heterogeneous mixture with scattered particles
throughout a dispersing medium
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suspension-is a type of heterogeneous mixture whose particles are suspended in liquids.

Methods of Separating mixtures

Picking- It is a simple way of separating the components of a mixture by using either your hands or
tools such as tongs.

Using a magnet-Using a magnet is an effective technique if one of the components has a magnetic
property.

Centrifugation- The process used to separate certain solid components by centrifugal force.

Chromatography- Process of separating the components via partitioning between a mobile phase and a
stationary phase.

Decantation- It is the process of separating the components by allowing the insoluble substance to
settle, which allows you to pour out the liquid.

Distillation- The process of separating the components of homogenous liquid mixtures with different
boiling points.

Evaporation- It is a method used to separate the liquid component by turning it into a gas, leaving out
the dissolved solid particles.

Filtration- Filtration is used here to remove solid particles from the liquid. Various filtering agents are
normally used like filtering paper or other materials.
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ELEMENTS AND COMPOUNDS

Elements-is the building block of matter that cannot be separated into simpler substances by physical or
chemical means.

Periodic Table-is the tabular arrangement of elements based on its atomic number, atomic mass, and
recurring chemical properties.

The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC)-is an international scientific
organization established in 1919.

Metals- Metals have tensile strength or the ability to resist breaking when pulled. Metals are also
ductile, which means they can be drawn into fine wires.

Nonmetals- Nonmetals are insulators, meaning they do not conduct heat or electricity.
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Metalloids- They can be classsified as semiconductors. They conduct electricity under some conditions
such as doping process.

Elements that are needed by organisms for growth and development are called essential elements.
Those elements that are present in large amounts are categorized as macro nutrients, and those that are
presenting smaller amounts or in lower concentration are called micronutrients.

COMPOUNDS- A combination of two or more elements in a fixed proportion by chemical means.

Compounds formed from the combination of two or more elements have a set of properties completely
different from the properties of their component elements.

Examples of Compounds

CARBON DIOXIDE – CARBON AND OXYGEN

WATER – HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN

ACETIC ACID – CARBON, HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN

SALT – SODIUM AND CHLORINE

HYDROGEN PEROXIDE – HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN

SUGAR – CARBON, HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN

ETHANOL – CARBON, HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN

Acids-is a chemical substance that has a sour taste. Food items such as lemons ,curd, vinegar and orange
taste sour because of the presence of acid in them

Acidic Substances-Are the substances that contain acid in them

Base-bases are found in different substances such as bleach, ammonia, washing powder and soap