INTRODUCTION TO SCIENCE

Chapter 1

1.1 Science is Part of Everyday Life

Definition:

A systematic study of natural phenomena & how they affect our lives & the environment

Technology

Scientific knowledge

The application of scientific knowledge for the use of mankind Examples:

Communication, industries, agriculture & transportation

The information obtained from the study of natural phenomena (occurrences in nature) Examples:

Aurora, lighting, solar eclipse & growth of foetus in the womb

Provide solutions to problems: Methods to reduce pollution

Understand the environment: How to converse & preserve the environment

The importance of science in everyday life

Understand ourselves. Example: how the body work

Scientific discoveries: Make our lives more comfortable

Scientific areas of study & related careers

Architect: A person who designs buildings Chemist: A person trained in chemistry Engineer: A person who designs, builds & maintains buildings, bridges, engine or roads Botanist: A specialist in botany Doctor: A person trained in medical science Computer programmer: A person who develops computer software Pharmacist: A person who prepares & dispenses medicines to the public

The various fields in the study of science

Microbiologist: The study of microorganisms Biology: The study of life Physics: the study of matter, energy, force & motion Chemistry: the study of the composition & chemical properties of substances Astronomy: the study of planets & stars

1.2 A Science Laboratory

Experiment: usually carried out in laboratory General rules & regulations: to avoid accident in the lab Safety precaution in a science laboratory:

No student is allowed to enter a laboratory without the teachers permission Food or drinks are not allowed into a laboratory Apparatus & chemicals must not be taken out of a laboratory Do not run or play in the laboratory Handle all apparatus & materials correctly & carefully Turn off the Bunsen burner after use Always follow the teachers instructions

Continued

Always check the label on a reagent bottle before using its contents Do not handle chemicals with your fingers. Always use a spatula Do not pour back any unused chemicals into its reagent bottle When boiling tube is heated, the mouth of the tube must not be pointed towards anybody Do not pour solid waste into the sinks Do not taste chemicals or inhale any gas unless you are instructed to do so Report to the teacher immediately about any breakages & faulty equipments Report to the teacher immediately about any mishap, cut, burn, scald or ingestion of a substances Wash you hands thoroughly after carrying out an experiment Keep the benches dry, clean & tidy

Common laboratory apparatus

Apparatus is used in a laboratory to carry out an experiments Apparatus should be drawn in outlines only
Bell

Test

tube: to hold small amounts of fluids or chemicals Boiling tube: to hold or heat small amounts of liquids Beaker: to hold larger mounts of liquids or chemicals Conical flask: to hold larger amounts of liquids or chemicals Round-bottomed flask: to hold chemicals used in preparing gases when heating is required Flat-bottomed flask: to hold chemicals used in preparing gases when heating is required

jar: to separate an experiment set up from the outside environment Gas jar: to collect gases Filter funnel: used together with a filter paper to separate an insoluble solid from a liquid Displacement can: to allow a displaced liquid to flow out through the spout Crucible: to hold a solid for heating directly over a flame Evaporating dish: to allow a liquid to evaporate from a solution

Pipette:

to measure a specific volume of a liquid accurately Measuring cylinder: to measure a volume of liquid to an accuracy of 1 cm3 Burette: to measure a volume of liquid to an accuracy of 0.1 cm3 Retort stand & retort clamp: to hold or support apparatus Tripod stand & wire gauze: to support apparatus during heating. The wire gauze ensures even heating Test tube holder: to hold a test tube during heating

Test

tube rack: to hold test tubes in a vertical position Bunsen burner: to provide a flame for heating Stopwatch: to measure time Thermometer: to measure temperature Meter rule: to measure length to an accuracy of 0.1 cm Beam balance: to measure mass

How to use a Bunsen burner

1.
2.

A Bunsen burner is used to heat substances Steps in using a Bunsen burner:

Close the air hole of the Bunsen burner by turning the collar Hold a lighted match to the mouth of the barrel Turn on the gas slowly. A luminous yellow flame is obtained Open the air hole slowly to obtain a non-luminous blue flame

3. 4.

5.

6.

7.

When heating a substance in a test tube, move the test tube in & out on the flame to avoid overheating When heating a test tube, hold the test tube at an angel of 450 & do not point the mouth of the tube to yourself or your friends When the air hole is closed, a luminous yellow flame is produced. This flame is less hot & produces a loot of black soot because the gas is not burnt completely When the air hole is opened, a non-luminous blue flame is produced. This flame is hot because the gas is burnt completely Remember to turn off the gas after using the burner

Hazard symbols

Hazardous substances are dangerous substnces which are harmful to our health Hazard warning symbols are placed on labels of bottles or containers to warn users of the danger of these substances

symbols

1.3 The Steps in a Scientific Investigation

A scientific investigation: a series of steps carried out systematically to study a problem or to find out the causes of natural phenomena Involve the use of science process skills

Identifying a problem: Ask question based on the observation Determine what we want to find out Stated in the form of a question

Writing a report on the experiment: Write a complete report Contains the materials & methods, results or observations & conclusion Making a conclusion: Based on experiments results State whether the experiments results support the hypothesis Analysing & interpreting data: Explain the data systematically, objectively & logically State the relationship between the manipulated variable & responding variable Presented in the forms of tables, graphs, charts or diagrams

Forming a hypothesis: A suggested explanation for the problem & can tested experimently
Planning an experiment: Identify the variables (factors or conditions that influence the outcome) Determine the procedure to carry out the investigation Chose the correct apparatus & materials to use Determine the correct methods of collecting & analysing the data

Carrying out the experiment: Control the variables Collect data through measurements or observations

1.4 Physical Quantities & Their Units

Measurement of physical quantities

Prefixes used in measurement

Physical quantity: quantity that can be measured Measured in SI units (standard units) Examples:

The value of a physical quantity can be changed by adding a prefix to its unit

Length: metre (m) Time: second (s) Mass: kilogram (kg) Temperature: Kelvin (K) Electric current : Ampere (A)

Giga (G), mega (M) & kilo (k): big quantities Deca (de), Deci (d), centi (c), mili (m) , Micro (), nano (n): small quantities

1.5 The Use of Measuring Tools

Length:

Distance between two point SI unit: metre (m) Using metre rule or measuring tape Using external or internal callipers & ruler Thickness of the wall of the gas jar is the difference between the externl & internal diameters divided by 2
SI unit: square metre (m2) Regular shape (rectangles, triangles, circles) calculated using mathematical formulae Irregular shape can be estimated using graph paper SI unit: cubic metres (m3) Volumes of liquids: measured in litres (l) or mililitre (ml) Volume of solid: measured in cm3 & m3

Diameter:

Areas:

Volume:

Temperature
Degree of heat or cold Used thermometer SI unit: kelvin (K)

Time:
SI unit: second (s) Used stopwatch

Electric current
SI unit: ampere (A) Used ammeter

Choosing a suitable measuring instrument

Measuring instruments are used to measure definite quantities Cannot be 100% accurate The accuracy can be increased by:

Using the correct technique

Place the eye at the correct position when taking a reading

Use a burette to measure 1 ml of water instead of measuring cylinder Correct zero error: zero error occurs when the reading of the indicator of a measuring instrument does not show zero The average reading is determined & taken as the measurement

Using precise & suitable measuring instruments

Taking several readings

1.6 Weight & Mass

Weight Definition:
The

Mass
The

pull of earths gravity on an object

Changes

quantity of matter contained in an object

Does

Value

from one place to another, depending on the force of gravity acting on the object The weight of an object is greater at the poles than the equator. This is because the force of gravity is greater at the poles
Newton

not change because the quantity of matter in an object remains the same wherever the object is

SI unit

(N)

Kilogram

(kg)

Measuring tools

Spring

balance Compression balance

Lever

balance Beam balance Electronic balance

1.7 The Importance of Standard Units

In the past, hands, feet & other parts of the body are used to measure objects & distances. However, the different persons have different lengths of a foot or a hand Before SI units were introduced, the standard units for measuring length, mass & time were feet, pounds & seconds respectively Now the standard units for measuring length, mass & time are metre, kilogram, second respectively The importance of standard units:

Physical quantities used in different countries can be standardized Scientific information exchanged between countries can be standardized International communication & trade become less confusing