Scientific Knowledge

Lesson 1

Types of Science• Biology – study of living things

• Geology – study of the Earth and processes

• Physical Science – study of non-living matter and energy

Science is ALWAYS changing

• Theory- explanations supported by evidence. It is well-supported… thousands of trials

• Theory of Plate Tectonics• Big Bang Theory• Cell Theory• Flat Earth Theory• Geocentric Theory of Planets

Scientific Laws

• A scientific law – a description of a relationship that is true anywhere in the universe.

• Boyle’s Law

• Law of Gravity

• Newton’s Laws

Theory vs. Law

• A scientific law describes what happens in nature, BUT a scientific theory describes for what reasons it happens.

• A theory tells WHY, a law tells WHAT

Where do scientists get their evidence?

Empirical evidence is all the measurements and data scientist gather in support of a scientific explanation.

• Field work- outdoors in a natural environment

• Lab work- controlled environment

How do scientific ideas change?

Remember science knowledge is what is agreed upon and are the most-likely explanations for what we see, such as the ATOM THEORY.

• New evidence with better technology (microscopes)

• Collaboration and debate– working with others and evaluating ideas.

Debate and Collaboration

• Scientists work together and share information

• They meet together to question every idea

• Discussing ideas ensures the results are reliable and error-free