The document outlines several key scientific concepts: 1) The scientific method is a standardized approach used by scientists involving making observations, forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, analyzing results, and publishing conclusions. 2) Scientific notation is a way to write very large or small numbers using powers of ten. It involves moving the decimal and multiplying by a power of ten. 3) Significant figures refer to the number of digits known with certainty in a measurement, which determines the precision of calculations.

1. Physical Science Unit 1 Science Skills

2. Scientific Inquiry Scientists use a generalized approach that is common to all disciplines. This approach is called the Scientific Method. It is a generalized approach due to the fact that each person alters it to fit the needs of each situation.

3. Scientific Method Make an observation of something that can not be immediately explained. Define the question to be investigated. Form a hypothesis to answer the question. This included conducting research of current knowledge relating to the question. Develop a test to check your hypothesis using principles of good experimental design. Then conduct the testing. Analyze the results that you have gathered and form a conclusion. If the results contradict your hypothesis, go back and revise it. If the results support the hypothesis, conduct further testing and eventually publish so that others can repeat the testing.

4. Scientific Notation This is a system for expressing very large or very small numbers in a form that is much easier to handle. It involves moving the decimal and then multiplying the number by some whole number power of ten.

5. Converting Regular Numbers into Scientific Notation Move the decimal so that there is only one non-zero digit to the left of the decimal. Multiply that value by ten to a certain power. The power of ten is the number of places that the decimal needed to be moved in step 1. If the original number was between 1 and -1, then the exponent is negative. If the original number was >1 or <-1, then the exponent is positive.

6. Multiplying and Dividing Numbers in Scientific Notation First take the values through the indicated operation (X or /). If multiplying, add the exponents together for the exponent in the answer. If dividing, subtract the numerator’s exponent by the divisor’s exponent for the answer’s exponent.

7. Adding and Subtracting Numbers in Scientific Notation First, move the decimal so that the powers of 10 are equal. Carry out the indicated operation. Convert the number back into correct scientific notation format (one digit in front of the decimal.)

8. Accuracy and Precision Accuracy refers to the closeness of a measurement or average of a set of measures to a given value. Precision refers to the closeness of repeated measurements to one another.

9. Significant Figures Instruments of measure give varying degrees of precision in experiments. It is important to maintain that degree of precision as the measurements are entered into various calculations. To accomplish this goal, we use a process of keeping track of significant figures.

10. Determining the Number of Significant Figures in a Number All non-zero digits are significant. All zeros located between significant figures are significant. A zero located at the end of the number and after the decimal is significant. A zero located at the end of the number and before the decimal is not significant. A zero located at the beginning of the number is not significant.

11. Multiplying and Dividing Using Significant Figures The answer may only express as many significant figures as the operator with the least number of significant figures.

12. Adding and Subtracting Using Significant Figures The answer may only be as precise as the least precise operator. (number of decimal places.)