INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICAL SCIENCE Physical Science is the study of physics and chemistry. Put in other words, a physical scientist is a person who studies energy and matter. Energy, or the ability to do work, comes in many forms. It could be classified as potential or kinetic and take forms such as thermal, electromagnetic, mechanical or nuclear. The matter studied by chemists, can be organic and deal with the chemistry of living things or inorganic and deal with such things as metals. Lesson Checkpoint: What does a Physical Scientist study? Scientific Method To do their work properly, scientists use an organized method of solving problems referred to as the scientific method of investigation. This series of steps, which starts with a problem, proceeds through development of a hypothesis or educated guess, and then the design of an experiment to verify the hypothesis. During the experiment, variables, or factors that affect the experiment, are controlled so that only one variable is tested to see if it has the anticipated effect or is the answer to the problem. The results of the experiment are gathered as data or information which can then be placed into graphs and data tables. Once this data is gathered, a conclusion is determined. Lesson Checkpoint: What are the steps of the Scientific Method? © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.
Scientific Equipment During the experiment many kinds of equipment are used. Some pieces such as graduated cylinders are used for measuring fluids and others such as the balance determine mass. Other pieces of glassware include beakers, flasks and test tubes. Clamps and ring stands are often used together with Bunsen burners when heat is needed. Safety First! Students who study Physical Science often work with different pieces of laboratory equipment. Working with flames, chemicals and glassware poses many potential dangers. Students should learn about safety equipment such as eye goggles, eye washes, fire blankets and fire extinguishers. In addition, while working in the lab, students should be aware of laboratory safety rules as well as familiar with the many safety symbols that often appear in the instructions that are printed for lab activity. Lesson Checkpoint: What safety accessory should be worn while working in the lab? © Copyright NewPath Learning. All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted for the purchaser to print copies for non-commercial educational purposes only. Visit us at www.NewPathLearning.com.