1. Physics

1. Physics as a Physical Science

• Physical Science => The study of the matter.
• Matter => Anything that has mass and takes up space.
• Physics => The study of the physical properties of matter. (The study of the basic nature of matter and the interactions that govern its behavior.)

• Classical Physics => Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Optics, Electricity and Magnetism.
• Modern Physics => Atomic Physics, Nuclear Physics, Particle Physics and Condensed-Matter Physics.

1. Physical properties

• Properties => Qualities/attributes that, taken together, are usually unique to an object. (Size, Color, Shape, Odor)

1. Measurements

• Physics is a quantitative science
• Measurement => The process of comparing a property of an object to a well-defined and agreed-upon referent.

1. Measurement Systems

1. Metric vs. English System
2. Standard Units (Metric System)

Length – meter (m) Mass – kilogram (kg)

Volume – liter (L)

3. Metric Prefixes

1. Quantitation

• Measurement => A number and a unit.

1. Data

• Measurement information used to describe something.
• Can describe objects, conditions, events or changes that are occuring.
• Used to further your understanding of a situation or test a hypothesis.

1. Examples:

1. Driving routes
2. Volume comparison

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Volume Area

Cube a 1 in³ 6 in²

Cube b 8 in³ 24 in²

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Cube c 27 in³ 54 in2
3. Ratios and Generalizations

• Ratio => A relationship between two numbers, one divided by another.
• Velocity = distance/time
• Density = mass/volume

1. Symbols & Equations

1. Equation => A statement that describes a

1. Describe a property
2. Define a concept
3. Describe how quantities change

• Direct
• Inverse
• Square
• Inverse square

1. Constants

• May or may not have units.

1. Graphs

• Scientific data can be represented in a variety of ways.
• A graph shows how changes in one variable correspond with changes in a second variable.
• Dependent variable => y-axis
• Independent variable => x-axis
• Slope = x/ y

y

1. Scientific Method

• Involves making a varied series of inquiries by observing, questioning, interpreting and concluding.

Prior Knowledge Collect Data

1. What is a Hypothesis?

• A tentative explanation of events that occur or of how something works.
• Hypothesis are subjected to rigorous testing.
• Testing proves a hypothesis false/true.
• Hypotheses must be about the observable universe.

1. Verifiable vs. Falsifiable Hypotheses

• Verifiable => Confirmable
• Falsifiable => Capable of being shown to be untrue

1. Specific vs. General Hypotheses

• Hypotheses that are easy to verify generally tell us very little.
• Scientific hypotheses are usually absolutely falsifiable but not absolutely verifiable.