This document provides an overview of physical science, including: 1) Physical science involves the study of matter and energy, with chemistry focusing on forms of matter and physics focusing on how energy affects matter. 2) The scientific method involves asking questions, forming hypotheses, testing hypotheses through experiments, analyzing results, drawing conclusions, and communicating results. 3) Models are used to represent objects, systems, or relationships and can be physical, mathematical, or conceptual representations.

1. Chapter 1

2. Physical science
• Science – gathering knowledge about the
natural world
• Physical science – study of matter and
energy (matter – “stuff” everything is made
of / energy – ability to do work)
• Chemistry – study of all forms of matter
• Physics – study of the way energy affects
matter

3. • Science is all around you: meteorology,
geology, biology
• Scientific method – 6 steps used to
answer questions and solve problems
• 1. ask a question – be specific (only 1 ?)
• 2. form hypothesis – make educated
guess
• Test hypothesis – do the experiment

4. • Scientific method – 6 steps used to
answer questions and solve problems
– 1. ask a question – be specific (only 1 ?)
– 2. form hypothesis – make educated guess
– Test hypothesis – do the experiment (control,
dependent variable, independent variable)

5. • Control – nothing changes, used for
comparison
• Dependent variable – what is being
changed
• Independent variable – what is used to
make the change

6. • 4. analyze results – does the results
prove or disprove your hypothesis
• 5. draw conclusion – sum up the results
• 6. communicate the results – write paper,
make presentation, create website

7. • Models – represent object or system
• 3 types:
– Physical – a three dimensional representation
of an object (a globe), doesn’t act or interact
like the real thing
– Mathematical – equations or data (E=mc 2)
– Conceptual – system of ideas (big bang
theory)

8. Law’s and Theories
• Law- summary of many experimental
results and observations – tells how
things work…not why it works
• Theory – an explanation for many
hypothesis and observations