1 A Physics Toolkit
ENCOUNTER THE PHENOMENON
Write the Encounter the Phenomenon question for this module.
What tools and skills do physicists use?
Use the “What I Know” column to list the things you know about the Encounter the Phenomenon
question. Then list the questions you have about the Encounter the Phenomenon question in the
“What I Want to Find Out” column. As you read the module, fill in the “What I Learned” column.
K W L
What I Know What I Want to Find Out What I Learned
What dymensional Analysis is What slope is What slope is
How to do inverse relationships
How to find out the amount of
significant figures how to do inverse relationships
How to measure Accuracy
What a linear relationship is How to measure Accuracy
Hos to find out the formula for
kelvin
Hos to find out the formula for
kelvin
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Science Notebook • A Physics Toolkit
1
A Physics Toolkit
1 Methods of Science
REVIEW Recall and write the definition of the Review Vocabulary term.
VOCABULARY
science The study of the world we live in
science
NEW VOCABULARY Use your book to define each term.
physics
physics The study of the physical world
scientific methods
hypothesis
scientific methods A method of doing a hypothesis
model
scientific theory hypothesis A possible explanation for a problem using what you know
scientific law and have observed
model A representation of an idea, event, structure, or object that helps
people better understand it
scientific theory An explanation of things or events based on
knowledge gained from many observations and investigations
scientific law A statement about what happens in nature and seems to
be true all the time
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Science Notebook • A Physics Toolkit
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1 Methods of Science (continued)
Student Edition, pp. 4–7 Write three sentences about physics and science.
What is physics? 1. Physics is the study of the physical world
• Physics is a branch of 2. There are 3 branches of science
science. 3. Science and maths are interconnected.
• Physics involves the study
of matter and energy.
Scientific Methods Fill in the blanks of the flow chart below using information about
• Scientific methods are scientific methods.
patterns of investigational
procedures.
• There are several common State the problem
steps in investigational
procedures.
Gather info
Modify the
hypothesis.
Form a hypothesis
Repeat
several
times.
Test the hypothesis
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Analyze the data
Draw conclusions
Hypothesis is supported Isnt supported
Science Notebook • A Physics Toolkit
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1 Methods of Science (continued)
Student Edition, pp. 7–9 Identify three main ideas about models.
Models 1. Helps people better understand an idea
• A model is a representation 2. represents ideas, sturctures, or objects
of an idea, event, structure, 3. Have been used throughout history
or object that helps people
understand it.
• Models change as new
information is learned.
Scientific Theories and Get It?!Discuss how computer simulations can help develop
Laws possible solutions to a problem.
• A scientific theory is an
explanation of things or Like how they helped pilots by creating a flight simulator
events based on knowledge
gained from many
observations and
investigations.
• A scientific law is a
statement about what
happens in nature and
seems to be true all
the time.
Compare and contrast scientific theories and scientific laws by
completing the Venn diagram.
scientific theories scientific laws Copyright © McGraw-Hill Education
Both
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1 Methods of Science (continued)
Student Edition, p. 9 Write three true statements about the limitations of science.
The Limitations of
Science
• Science can explain many
things about the world.
• Science does not answer
opinion, value, or emotion
questions.
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS
1. Summarize the steps you might use to carry out an investigation using scientific
methods.
1. State the problem
2. Gther info
3. form a hypothesis
4. test the hypothesis
5. analyze data
6. Draw conclusions
2. Define the term hypothesis. Identify three ways to test a hypothesis.
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A hypothesis is a possible explanation for a problem using what you know and have observed
A few ways to test a hypothesis would be: through experimentation and observation
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1 Methods of Science (continued)
3. Describe why it is important for scientists to avoid bias.
Beause then they wont know how accurate the hypothesis is
4. Explain why scientists use models. Give an example of a scientific model not
mentioned in this lesson, and explain how that model is useful.
5. Analyze!Your friend finds that 90 percent of students surveyed in the cafeteria like
pizza. She says this scientifically proves that everyone likes pizza. How would you
respond to her conclusion?
6. Critical Thinking!An accepted value for free-fall acceleration is 9.8 m/s2.
In an experiment with pendulums, you calculate that the value is 9.4 m/s2.
Should the accepted value be tossed out to accommodate your new finding? Explain.
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Science Notebook • A Physics Toolkit
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