CPO science foundations of physics

CPO Science
Foundations of Physics

Chapter 1


Introduction
Chapter 1: The Science of Physics
 1.1 The Science of Physics
 1.2 The Development of Scientific
Knowledge
 1.3 Physics is Useful


Chapter 1 Objectives
1. Describe the process of inquiry and the
relationship between inquiry and
learning science.
2. Describe the difference between matter
and energy.
3. Explain the relationship between a
theory, a hypothesis and an experiment.
4. Describe how scientific evidence is used
to judge truth.
5. Describe at least three examples of how
physics knowledge is used in a career or
occupation outside of physics.


Chapter 1 Vocabulary Terms
 natural law

 theory

 process

 energy

 analysis

 matter

 inquiry

 scientific evidence

 hypothesis

 objectivity

 experiment

 repeatability

*Read Chapter One as an introduction.
There is no accompanying investigation.


1.1 The Science of Physics
Three fundamental aspects of Physics:
1. Describing the organization of the universe.

 matter and energy
2. Understanding the natural laws that govern
the universe.
 belief that all events follow a set of laws
that do not change
3. Deducing and applying natural laws.
 science as a process


1.1 The Science of Physics
Matter and Energy

*The universe consists of only matter and
energy


1.1 The Science of Physics
Inquiry and Observation

*We will explore Physics using inquir y through
obser vation.


1.1 Inquiry
Three valuable things are learned
by discovering the natural laws
through inquiry:
1. It includes very practical knowledge.
2. Once you know how something
generally works, you can often figure

out how to make it work for you.
3. You will learn to solve real-life problems.


Using Problem Solving
Techniques
 Step 1

— Determine what the problem asks you
to find out.

 Step 2
— Identify the information you are given.

 Step 3
— Identify laws or relationships.

 Step 4
— Apply the given information and the
relationships.


Foundations of Physics Units


1.2 Development of Scientific
Knowledge
Models, Evidence, Analysis and
Theories

1.2 Development of Scientific
Knowledge
Importance of Experiments
 We use experiments to test and evaluate theories .


1.2 Development of Scientific
Scientific Evidence
Knowledge

Images and sketches

Measurements and data

Graphs and charts


1.2 Development of Scientific
Scientific Knowledge and the Solar System
Knowledge

Early civilizations
believed the Earth
was covered by a
dome on which the
sun, stars and
planets moved.

In the Middle Ages,

people thought the
sun, stars and
planets circled the
Earth.

Today we know the
earth and planets
orbit the sun.


1.3 Physics is Useful
 Engineering
 Medicine and health
professions


1.3 Physics is Useful
 Business and
finance

 Art, music, and food


1.3 Physics is Useful
 The relationship
between physics and
other fields of science