Chapter Introduction

Lesson 1 Understanding
Science
Lesson 2 Measurement
and Scientific
Tools
Lesson 3 Case Study
Chapter Wrap-Up
What processes do
scientists use when they
perform scientific
investigations?
Understanding Science

• What is scientific inquiry?

• How do scientific laws and scientific
theories differ?
• What is the difference between a fact
and an opinion?
Understanding Science

• science • technology
• observation • scientific theory
• inference • scientific law
• hypothesis • critical thinking
• prediction
What is science?
• Science is the investigation and
exploration of natural events and of the
new information that results from those
investigations.
• Scientific knowledge is the result of a
great deal of debate and confirmation
within the science community.
• People use science in their everyday
lives and careers.
Branches of Science
There are three main branches of science
—Earth science, life science,
and physical science.

physical
from Latin physica, means
“study of nature”
Branches of Science (cont.)
• The study of Earth, including rocks, soils,
oceans, the atmosphere, and surface
features, is Earth science.
• The study of living things is life science,
or biology.
• The study of matter and energy—
including both physics and chemistry—
is physical science.
Scientific Inquiry
Scientific inquiry is a process that uses a
set of skills to answer questions or to test
ideas about the natural world.
Scientific Inquiry (cont.)
Scientific inquiries include many possible
steps.
Scientific Inquiry (cont.)

What is scientific inquiry?

Scientific Inquiry (cont.)
• Observation is the act of using one or
more of your senses to gather information
and taking notes of what occurs.
• An inference is a logical explanation of
an observation that is drawn from prior
knowledge or experience.
Scientific Inquiry (cont.)
• A prediction is a statement of what will
happen next in a sequence of events.
• A hypothesis is a possible explanation
for an observation
that can be tested
by scientific
investigations.
Scientific Inquiry (cont.)
• When you test a hypothesis, you often test
whether your predictions are true.
• After testing your hypothesis, you analyze
your results using various methods.
Scientific Inquiry (cont.)
• Once you find the
relationships among
data and make
several inferences,
you can draw
conclusions.
• A conclusion is a
summary of the
information gained
from testing a
hypothesis.
Scientific Inquiry (cont.)
If predictions are correct and the
hypothesis is supported, scientists will
retest the predictions several times to
make sure the conclusions are the same.
Results of Science
An important part of scientific inquiry is
communicating results.
Results of Science (cont.)
• Scientific investigation can have various
outcomes, including new technology, new
materials, and possible explanations as
to how or why something happens.
• Technology is the practical use of
scientific knowledge, especially for
industrial or commercial use.
Results of Science (cont.)
• Another outcome of science is the
development of scientific theories and
laws.
• A scientific theory is an explanation of
observations or events that is based on
knowledge gained from many
observations and investigations.
• A scientific law is a rule that describes a
pattern in nature.
Results of Science (cont.)

How do scientific laws

and theories differ?
New Information
Scientific information constantly changes
as new information is discovered or as
previous hypotheses are retested.
New Information (cont.)
• To determine if information is scientific or
pseudoscientific, you should be skeptical
and identify facts and opinions.
• Critical thinking refers to comparing
what you already know with the
information you are given in order to
decide whether you agree with it.
• Questions that deal with opinions,
beliefs, values, and feelings cannot be
answered through scientific investigation.
New Information (cont.)

How do fact and opinion

differ?
New Information (cont.)
• It is very important for anyone
performing scientific investigations to
use safe practices.
• For information on safe practices,
consult the Science Safety Skill
Handbook in the back of your book.
Which is an explanation of
observations or events that is based
on knowledge gained from many
observations and investigations?
A. scientific law
B. scientific theory
C. prediction
D. hypothesis
Which of these includes the study
of physics and chemistry?

A. Earth science
B. life science
C. physical science
D. biology
Which term refers to the act of
using one or more of your senses
to gather information and taking
notes of what occurs?
A. prediction
B. hypothesis
C. inference
D. observation
Measurement and Scientific Tools

• Why is it important for scientists to use

the International System of Units?
• What causes measurement
uncertainty?
• What are mean, median, mode, and
range?
Measurement and Scientific Tools

• description
• explanation
• International System of Units (SI)
• significant digits
Description and Explanation
• A description is a spoken or written summary of
observations.
• When making a qualitative description, you use your
senses to describe an observation.
• When making a quantitative description, you use
numbers and measurements to describe an observation.
• An explanation is an interpretation of observations.
Description and Explanation (cont.)
• At one time, scientists in different parts
of the world used different units of
measurement.
• Sharing scientific information was difficult
and led to confusion.
Description and Explanation (cont.)
• A system of measurement was adopted
to eliminate confusion.
• The International System of Units (SI)
is the internationally accepted system for
measurement.
Description and Explanation (cont.)
A base unit is the most common unit used
in the SI system for a given measurement.
Description and Explanation (cont.)
• SI uses prefixes to identify
the size of
a unit.
• Prefixes are used
to indicate a fraction of
ten or a multiple
of ten.
Description and Explanation (cont.)
To convert SI units, you must multiply or
divide by a factor of ten.
Description and Explanation (cont.)

Why is it important for scientists

to use the International System
of Units (SI)?
Description and Explanation (cont.)
• All measurements have some
uncertainty.
• The tools used to take measurements
can limit the accuracy of the
measurements.
Description and Explanation (cont.)

What causes measurement

uncertainty?
Description and Explanation (cont.)
• Because scientists duplicate each other’s work, they must
record numbers with the same degree of precision as the
original data.
• Significant digits are the number of digits in a
measurement that you know with a certain degree of
reliability.
• There are rules for determining whether digits are
significant.
Description and Explanation (cont.)
• Scientists often need to analyze their
data to obtain information.
• Four values often used when analyzing
numbers are median, mean, mode, and
range.
Description and Explanation (cont.)
Description and Explanation (cont.)
Description and Explanation (cont.)

What are mean, median,

and mode?
Scientific Tools
• A science journal is used to record observations,
questions, hypotheses, data, and conclusions from
scientific investigations.
• Rulers and metersticks are used to measure lengths
and distances; the
SI unit is meter (m).
• Graduated cylinders measure the volume of a liquid; the
typical units are liters (L) or milliliters (mL).
Scientific Tools (cont.)
• A triple-beam balance is used to measure the mass of an
object; mass is measured in grams (g) or kilograms (kg).
• A thermometer is used to measure the temperature of a
substance.
• Computers are used to collect, organize, and store
information about a research topic or scientific
investigation.
Tools Used by Earth Scientists
• Binoculars are instruments that enable
people to view faraway objects more
clearly.
• A compass is an instrument that shows
magnetic north and is used by scientists
to navigate when they are in the field.
Tools Used by Earth Scientists (cont.)
• A wind vane is a device, often attached to the
roofs of buildings, that rotates to show the
direction of the wind.
• An anemometer, or wind-speed gauge, is used to
measure the speed and the force of wind.
• A streak plate is a piece of hard, unglazed
porcelain that helps you identify minerals.
Which term refers to the number
of digits in a measurement that
you know with a certain degree
of reliability?
A. International System of Units
B. mean
C. median
D. significant digits
Which refers to the most common
unit used in the SI system for a
given measurement?
A. base unit
B. mode
C. prefix
D. range
Which is used to measure lengths
and distances?

A. beaker
B. ruler
C. triple-beam balance
D. thermometer
Case Study

• How are independent variables and

dependent variables related?
• How is scientific inquiry used in a real-
life scientific investigation?
Case Study

• variable
• independent variable
• dependent variable
The Iceman’s Last Journey
• In 1991, two hikers discovered the remains of a man in a melting
glacier
on the border between
Austria and Italy.
• Controlled
experiments
were needed
to unravel the
mystery of who
the Iceman was.
The Iceman’s Last Journey (cont.)
• When scientists design a controlled experiment, they
have to identify factors that might affect the outcome.
• A variable is any factor that can have more than one
value.
• The independent variable is the factor that you want
to test. It is changed by the investigator to observe
how it affects a dependent variable.
The Iceman’s Last Journey (cont.)
• The dependent variable is the factor
you observe or measure during an
experiment.
• When the independent variable is
changed, it causes the dependent
variable to change.
The Iceman’s Last Journey (cont.)
• A controlled experiment has two groups.
• The experimental group is used to study how
a change in the independent variable
changes the dependent variable.
• The control group contains the same factors
as the experimental group, but the
independent variable is not changed.
The Iceman’s Last Journey (cont.)
• Scientists concluded that the Iceman is about 5,300 years
old.
• The Iceman traveled from the high alpine region in spring
to his native village in the lowland valleys.
• There, during a conflict, the Iceman sustained a fatal
injury.
• He retreated back to the higher elevations, where he died.
The Iceman’s Last Journey (cont.)
• Scientists recognize their hypotheses
can never be proved, only supported or
not supported.
• With advances in technology, scientists
are able to more thoroughly investigate
mysteries of nature.
Which is used to study how a
change in the independent variable
changes the dependent variable?
A. control group
B. experimental group
C. hypotheses
D. inference
Which term describes the factor
a scientist observes or measures
during an experiment?
A. control group
B. dependent variable
C. experimental group
D. inference
Which term describes the factor
that a scientist wants to test?
A. control group
B. dependent variable
C. experimental group
D. independent variable
Key Concept Summary
Chapter Review
Standardized Test Practice
Scientists use the
process of scientific
inquiry to perform
scientific
investigations.
Lesson 1: Understanding Science
• Scientific inquiry is a process that uses a set of skills
to answer questions or to test ideas about the
natural world.
• A scientific law is a rule that describes a pattern in
nature. A scientific theory is an explanation of things
or events that is based on knowledge gained from
many observations and investigations.
• Facts are measurements, observations, and
theories that can be evaluated for their validity
through objective investigation. Opinions are
personal views, feelings, or claims about a topic that
cannot be proven true or false.
Lesson 2: Measurement and Scientific Tools

• Scientists worldwide use the International System of

Units because their work is easier to confirm and
repeat by their peers.
• Measurement
uncertainty occurs
because no scientific
tool can provide a
perfect measurement.
• Mean, median, mode,
and range are statistical calculations that are used
to evaluate sets of data.
Lesson 3: Case Study: The Iceman’s
Last Journey
• The independent variable is the factor a scientist
changes to observe how it affects a dependent
variable. A dependent variable is the factor a
scientist measures or observes during an
experiment.
• Scientific inquiry was used throughout the
investigation of the Iceman when hypotheses,
predictions, tests, analysis, and conclusions were
developed.
Which is a logical explanation of
an observation that is drawn from
prior knowledge or experience?
A. hypothesis
B. inference
C. prediction
D. scientific theory
Which term refers to a rule that
describes a pattern in nature?

A. scientific theory
B. scientific law
C. prediction
D. inference
Which is used to indicate a
fraction of ten or a multiple of
ten, to identify the size of a unit?
A. SI unit
B. prefix
C. median
D. base unit
Which is used to show the
direction of wind?

A. wind vane
B. streak plate
C. compass
D. anemometer
Which is used to measure the
speed and force of wind?

A. wind vane
B. streak plate
C. compass
D. anemometer
Which of these describes the
investigation and exploration
of natural events?
A. hypothesis
B. science
C. scientific law
D. scientific theory
Which is a statement of what
will happen next in a sequence
of events?
A. hypothesis
B. inference
C. observation
D. prediction
Which term refers to an
interpretation of observations?

A. base unit
B. description
C. explanation
D. significant digit
The mass of a small object is
usually measured in which of
these?
A. liters
B. grams
C. milliliters
D. kilograms
What would a scientists do if a
conclusion does not support the
hypothesis?
A. change the results
B. communicate their results
C. find a new question to investigate
D. revise the hypothesis