CHAPTER 1 Study Guide

1.1 What is Science?

Key Concepts

• Science begins with curiosity and often ends with discovery.

• Science and technology are interdependent. Advances in one lead to advances in the other.

• Natural science is generally divided into three branches: physical science, Earth and space science, and life science.

Vocabulary

• science, p. 3

• technology, p. 3

• chemistry, p. 4

• physics, p. 4

• geology, p. 4

• astronomy, p. 4

• biology, p. 4

1.2 Using a Scientific Approach

Key Concepts

• The goal of a scientific method is to solve a problem or to better understand an observed event.

• A scientific law describes an observed pattern in nature without attempting to explain it. The explanation of such a pattern is provided by a scientific theory.

• Scientific models make it easier to understand things that might be too difficult to observe directly.

Vocabulary

• scientific method, p. 7

• observation, p. 8

• hypothesis, p. 8

• manipulated variable, p. 8

• responding variable, p. 8

• controlled experiment, p. 8

• scientific theory, p. 9

• scientific law, p. 9

• model, p. 10

1.3 Measurement

Key Concepts

• Scientific notation makes very large or very small numbers easier to work with.

• Scientists use a set of measuring units called SI.

• The precision of a calculation is limited by the least precise measurement used in the calculation.

Vocabulary

• scientific notation, p. 14

• length, p. 16

• mass, p. 16

• volume, p. 16

• density, p. 17

• conversion factor, p. 18

• precision, p. 19

• significant figures, p. 19

• accuracy, p. 19

• thermometer, p. 20

1.4 Presenting Scientific Data

Key Concepts

• Scientists can organize their data by using data tables and graphs.

• Scientists can communicate results bywriting in journals or speaking at conferences.

Vocabulary

• slope, p. 23

• direct proportion, p. 23

• inverse proportion, p. 23

Thinking Visually

Using Tables Use information from the chapter to complete the table below.

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