PHYSICAL SCIENCE- concerted human effort to
understand how natural world and how it works
SUBSETS OF PHYSICAL SCIENCE
Chemistry- study of all types of matter; deals with
composition and properties of forms of matter
 MATTER- stuff; has mass and take up space
 GAS- is a matter that has no definite shape nor
volume
 PLASMA- can conduct electric current and
create magnetic field
 MASS- amount of matter in an object; constant
value; measured in kilograms
PHYSICS- studies matter its motion and behavior;
understand how universe behaves
 FORCE- cause an object with mass to change its
velocity/accelerate; push/pull
 ENERGY- quantitative property that must be
transferred to an object in order to work
on/heat
 MOTION- object changes its position over time
ASTRONOMY- study of everything beyond earths
atmosphere; studies celestial objects and phenomena
ASTROLOGY- a pseudoscience that claims to divine info
about human affairs and celestial events; type of
divination that involves forecasting of earthly and
human events
CELESTIAL OBJECTS/BODIES- naturally occurring entity;
exist in the observable universe
METHODOLOGY- observing, measuring, estimating,
inferring, classifying, experimenting, hypothesizing,
concluding and predicting
COSMOLOGY- branch of astronomy that involves the
origin and evolution of the universe; today and into the
future
BIG BANG- cosmic expansion; beginning of the universe
PRIMORDIAL NUCLEOSYNTHESIS/BIG BANG- origin of
light elements
STELLAR NUCLEOSYNTHESIS- origin of heavy elements
NUCLEOSYNTHESIS- creates a new atomic nucleus from
existing nucleons, primarily protons and neutrons
NUCLEAR FUSION- nuclei fuse together to form a
heavier nucleus
ISOTOPES- form of an element that has same atomic
number as that of original but different mass number
produced- H1, H2, He-3, He-4, and Li-7
Stars- self-luminous gaseous spherical celestial body of
great mass
STARS ARE CLASSIFIED BY- temperature, color, size and
brightness
BLUE-HOT RED=COLD
BIGGER/BRIGHTER=BRIGHTER
BRIGHTESS MEASURED IN TWO WAYS
Apparent Brightness- brightness seen from earth
Absolute Brightness- real brightness of star
ENJAR HERTZSPRUNG & HENRY NORRIS RUSSEL- made a
diagram that classifies stars
PROTOSTAR- early age in the evolution of star
SUPERNOVA- giant explosion
NEUTRON STAR- white dwarf with high temperature
BLACK HOLES- neutron star with gravity so strong; even
light can escape
NUCLEAR SYNTHETIC PATHWAYS/TO PRODUCE HEAVY
ELEMENTS
CARBON-NITROGEN-OXYGEN CYCLE
PROTON-PROTON FUSION
TRIPLE ALPHA PROCESS
GREEK PHILOSOPHERS- first think about the nature of
matter, thought that other intangible quantities were
composed of atom
LEUCIPPUS 7 DEMOCRITUS- first to develop the concept
of atom; atom came in variety of size and shapes
LEUCIPPUS- THE GREATER WORLD SYSTEM; atom
cannot change/disintegrate many combination of atoms
can be formed
DEMOCRITUS- matter can be divided into smaller
pieces; there is part where it cannot be divied
Ultimate particle of matter which cannot be divided

BERRYMAN (2010)- atoms can be moved ; empty space called

void

EPICURUS OF SAMOS- atoms have weight; atoms can

move/swerve

PLATO AND ARISTOTLE- did not accept the idea of atoms;

atoms challenge gods

Greeks believe four elements; EARTH FIRE WATER AND AIR

EMPEDOCLES- nature is made up of different combinations of

earth water fire and air; called them roots,

HERACLITUS; supported fire

THALES- supported water

ANAXIMENES: supported air

PLATO- used the term “element”; suggested the fifth element

aether because its strange that stars are made out of earthly
elements

ALCHEMY- ancient origin of chemistry; precursor of modern

science

ELIXIR OF LIFE- source of health, wealth and immortality

PHILOSOPHER’S STONE- powder when heated and combined

with base materials will turn to gold

MESOPOTAMIANS- utilize metals like gold and copper; match

metals with heavenly bodies such as sun and moon

Egyptians- adapted from Mesopotamians and perfected the

use of bronze, dye ang class

Chinese- had their own processes for metalwork and ceramic

materials; focused on finding plants and substances

INDIANS- had a kind of alchemy(rasayana) tied closely to hindu

and buddhist beliefs; perfected use of iron and steel;
manufacturers of dye, glass, cement, solution for textiles and
soaps

ARABS AND MUSLIMS- SCHOLAR JABIR IBN HAYYAN-

translated the practies and aristoleian practices of greeks;
hydric, hydrochloric and sulfucric acids

EUROPEANS- body works alchemically