CHAPTER 1

What is Science?
Science is a discipline that involves systematic observations and experiment
of natural phenomena.

Fields in Science
 Biology – study of living organisms
 Chemistry -study of matter and energy and their interactions
 Physics -study of the properties of matter and energy
 Astronomy-study of celestial objects ,space and the physical universe
as a whole
 Meteorology-study of Earth’s atmosphere and weather
 Geology -study of rocks ,soils and minerals

Careers of Science
Physics : astronomer , oceanographer , teacher , engineer , meteorologist ,
physicist
Biology : medical doctor , botanist , zoologist , teacher , biologist
oceanographer ,microbiologist
Chemistry : Pharmacist , oceanographer , teacher , forensic scientist ,
chemist
Geology : geologist , teacher

Natural phenomena
Natural phenomena meant an observable event which is not man-made.
Ex: rainbows, rain , earthquake , melting of ice , volcanic eruptions
Laboratory apparatus
Symbols of Hazard Chemicals

Explosive = hydrogen gas and butane gas

Flammable=alcohol and petrol

Poison/Toxic =mercury and chlorine

Corrosive =concentrated acid and alkali

Irritant=chloroform and ammonia

Radioactive=uranium and plutonium

The base quantities

Base quantity S. I. Unit Symbol of S. I. Unit
Length metre m
Mass kilogram kg
Time Second S
Temperature Kelvin K
Electric current Ampere A
The value of prefixes and symbols for physical quantity
units
Prefix Value Standard form Symbol
9
giga 1000000000 10 G
mega 1000000 106 M
kilo 1000 103 k
deci 0.1 10−1 d
centi 0.01 10−2 c
milli 0.001 10−3 m
micro 0.000001 10−6 µ
nano 0.000000001 10−9 n

The use of Accuracy, Consistency and Sensitivity

The use of Accuracy, Consistency and Sensitivity

Sensitivity
Accuracy The ability of
Consistency
Accuracy is how measuring
The ability of an
close a measured instruments to
instruments in a
value is to the detect a small
consistent
actual value of a change in the
manner.
physical quantity. measurement
quantity.
Density
What is density?
Density of a substance is the mass per unit volume of the substance.

Formula of density:
Mass(g)
Density (g cm¯³) =
Volume(cm 3 )

Twele important science process skills

Observing

Experimenting Classifying

Making Measuring and

hypothesis using numbers

Controlling
Making infrence
variables

Defining
Predicting
operationally

Interpreting data Communicating

Using space-time
relationship
Scientific Method

Identify a
problem
Construct a
Write a report
hypothesis

Make a Control
conclusion variables

Analyse and Plan an

interpret data experiment

Conduct the
Collect data
experiment