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Intro to Science
A. What is science?
1. Science is the process of observing and
studying everything in the natural world.
B. Why do we study science?
1. To solve Earths mysteries and problems.
C. How do we use science?
1. Scientific Method Steps
1.) Identify the Problem 4.) Test 2.) Gather
Information 5.) Analyze Results 3.) Hypothesis
6.) Conclude 7.) Repeat
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D. Scientific Method Vocabulary
1.) Hypothesis- is a proposed solution to a
problem
2.) Dependent Variable- The variable that is
being tested for change (due to the change in the
independent variable). Ex- Life Span
3.) Independent Variable- The variable that is
varied or manipulated by the researcher. Ex-
Amount of vitamins
4.) Control- is an experiment or observation
designed to minimize the effects of variables
other than the single independent variable.
5.) Theory- a well-confirmed type of explanation
of nature.
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Science is built up with facts as a house is
with stones. But a collection of facts is no more
science than a heap of stones is a house.
Jules Henri Poincare
D. There are three major branches of science
1. Life Science
a.) Plants, animals, and all living things.
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2. Physical Science
a). Chemistry Physics
3. Earth Space Science
a.) Earths surface, weather, ocean, and space.
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E. The four major branches of Earth Space
Science
1. Geology
- The study of Earths origin, history
structure.
2. Meteorology
- The study of Earths atmosphere, weather,
climate.
3. Oceanography
- The study of Earths oceans.
4. Astronomy
- The study of the position, composition, size
and other characteristics of everything outside
of Earths atmosphere.
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Types of Metric Measurements
A. Length
- How long or wide something is.
1. The meter (m) is used to measure length
when using the metric system.
2. Possible length measurements a.) km b.)
hm c.) dam d.) m e.) dm f.) cm g.) mm
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B. Mass-
The measure of the amount of matter in an object.

1. The gram (g) is used to measure mass when
using the metric system.
2. Possible mass measurements a.) kg b.)
hg c.) dag d.) g e.) dg f.) cg g.) mg
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C. Volume-
is the amount of space an object takes up.
1. The liter, or cubic centimeter, (l or cm3) is
used to measure volume when using the metric
system.
2. Volume can be found three different ways,
depending on what type of substance you are
measuring.
a.) For solid square objects you multiply the
length x the width x the height of the object.
b.) For liquids use a graduated cylinder.
c.) For solid non-square objects use water
displacement.
3. Possible volume measurements?
a.) The same as the other measurements just add
the volume standard unit!
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D. Density-
is the amount of mass in the space a
specific object takes up.
1. Grams per cubic centimeter (g/cm3) or grams
per milliliter (g/ml) is used when measuring
density in the metric system.
2. Density is measured by using the following
formula
mass
Density
_______________
volume
OR
g
_______________
D
cm3 or ml
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E. Temperature-
how hot or cold a substance is.
1. Temperature can be measured three different
ways.
2. When using the metric system temperature is
measured in degrees Celsius.
a.) The boiling point
100 degrees C
b.) The freezing point
0 degrees C
3. When using the standard system temperature
is measured in degrees Fahrenheit.
a.) The boiling point
212 degrees F
b.) The freezing point
32 degrees F
4. When using the Kelvin system temperature is
measured in Kelvins
a.) The boiling point
373 K
b.) The freezing point
273 K
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SI
Kelvin
Metric
50
400
10
45
380
9
40
360
8
35
340
7
30
320
6
25
300
5
20
280
4
15
260
3
10
240
2
5
220
1
0
200
0