What is Science? What is Scientific Method
- 2. What is Science •Science is a systematic and logical approach to discovering how things in the universe work. •Science is the key to unlocking the mysteries of our universe. •Importance: It shapes our understanding of everything from technology to medicine and climate change.
- 3. Characteristics of Science • Empirical: Based on observable phenomena (e.g., Darwin’s observations). • Objective: Free of bias and based on facts (e.g., clinical trials for vaccines). • Falsifiable: Can be tested and potentially proven wrong (e.g., Einstein’s relativity theory). • Systematic: Follows an organized methodology (e.g., periodic table in chemistry). • Predictive: Models and theories allow for future predictions (e.g., climate models).
- 4. What Qualifies as Science • Natural Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Earth Sciences. • Formal Sciences: Mathematics, Logic, Computer Science. • Social Sciences: Psychology, Sociology, Economics, Anthropology. • Applied Sciences: Medicine, Engineering, Environmental Science. • Interdisciplinary Nature: Sciences overlap, like Biochemistry and Environmental Science.
- 5. Why Does Science Matter? •Societal Impact: Health, technology, climate solutions (e.g., vaccines, renewable energy). •Innovation and Growth: Science drives economic growth (e.g., internet, medical tech). •Knowledge Expansion: Encourages curiosity and continuous learning (e.g., space exploration).
- 6. Who Practices Science? • Professional Scientists: Physicists, Chemists, Biologists, Engineers. • Famous Scientists: Isaac Newton, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein. • Citizen Scientists: Non-professionals contributing to science (e.g., wildlife data collection). • Diversity in Science: Contributions from women and minorities (e.g., Rosalind Franklin, Katherine Johnson).
- 7. Important Terminologies • Some of the Important scientific terminologies are, • Fact • Hypothesis • Theory • Law
- 8. Hypothesis • A hypothesis is a tentative explanation for an observation or phenomenon that can be tested through scientific investigation. It provides a basis for predictions and is formulated as a statement that is either true or false. • A hypothesis is the starting point of the scientific method. It proposes a relationship between two or more variables and lays the foundation for conducting experiments or observations to determine whether the hypothesis is supported or refuted. • Hypotheses must be testable and falsifiable—this means there must be a way to determine if the hypothesis is wrong through evidence. • It can be either null (no effect) or alternative (there is an effect).
- 9. Hypothesis Imagine a scientist studying plant growth under different light conditions. •Hypothesis Statement: "If plants are exposed to red light, then they will grow taller than plants exposed to blue light." •Independent Variable: The color of light (red or blue). •Dependent Variable: The height of the plants. •Testable Approach: •The scientist would grow two groups of plants—one under red light and another under blue light—and measure the height over a set period to determine if the hypothesis holds true.
- 10. Fact • A fact is a statement that can be proven true through observation, measurement, or evidence. It is an objective reality that is universally accepted as accurate and verifiable. • Facts are not influenced by opinions, beliefs, or interpretations; they are based on observable phenomena. • Unlike hypotheses or theories, which require testing and validation, facts are already established through proof or observation.
- 11. • Water boils at 100°C (212°F) at sea level • This fact has been proven through countless observations and measurements. • Under standard atmospheric pressure (at sea level), the temperature at which water boils is always 100°C. This can be consistently demonstrated with any proper equipment. • It is an objective truth that can be measured by anyone using a thermometer and water, and the result will be the same under these conditions.
- 12. • The sun rises in the east • This is a verifiable and observable phenomenon. Every day, the sun appears to rise from the eastern horizon and sets in the west. • People from different parts of the world observe this same occurrence, making it an undisputed fact. • Regardless of personal beliefs or opinions, this remains true and can be repeatedly confirmed by observing the sun’s position in the sky.
- 13. Theory •A theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of evidence that has been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experimentation. •Theories explain the why and how behind certain phenomena and are broader than hypotheses, encompassing many verified hypotheses and facts.
- 14. •Scientific theories are developed through extensive research and are supported by a large amount of data. •Theories help scientists make predictions about the natural world, and they are tested rigorously.
- 15. • The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection • Proposed by Charles Darwin, this theory explains how species change over time through a process of natural selection, where organisms better adapted to their environment tend to survive and reproduce. • The theory is supported by evidence from fossils, genetics, and observations of species in nature. • While the details of evolution are continually refined, the core idea—that species evolve over time—is widely accepted as a fundamental principle of biology.
- 16. Law • A scientific law is a statement based on repeated experimental observations that describes a fundamental relationship or regularity in nature. It explains what happens under certain conditions. • Laws are descriptive rather than explanatory; they do not explain why something happens but only describe the occurrence.
- 17. • Laws are universal and remain consistent over time and across different conditions. They are often expressed in mathematical formulas. • Laws are typically the result of extensive experimentation and are accepted as true by the scientific community due to their constant validation. • For example, laws of motion, thermodynamics, and gravitation describe how objects behave in specific contexts.
- 18. • Newton’s First Law of Motion (Law of Inertia) • This law states: "An object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will remain in motion at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force. • This law describes the natural behavior of objects and is a fundamental principle used in everything from vehicle mechanics to space travel.
- 19. •Fact: A confirmed observation or reality that is universally accepted as true. •Theory: A well-substantiated explanation for why or how something happens, based on evidence. •Law: A descriptive statement of what happens under certain conditions, without explaining why
- 20. Conclusion • Science plays an indispensable role in shaping our understanding of the world and driving progress in virtually every aspect of human life. • It empowers societies with the knowledge and tools to address complex challenges, from healthcare to climate change, while also fostering technological innovation and improving quality of life. • The systematic and evidence-based nature of scientific inquiry ensures that discoveries are reliable, reproducible, and continuously evolving.