Download Life Science Mr. Putchinski - Imagine School at Lakewood Ranch

SCIENTIFIC
KNOWLEDGE
AND
UNDERSTANDING
Scientific Theories
• If data gathered over a long period
of time support a hypothesis,
scientists become convinced that
the hypothesis is useful.
•A scientific theory is an
explanation or model
backed by results
obtained from repeated
tests or experiments.
Theories, cont.
A scientific explanation which is
based in fact
HOW or WHY something
happens
Theories CAN change based on
new evidence, but it is rare.
EXAMPLES
Copernican theory (Earth goes round sun)
Cell Theory
Atomic Theory
Plate Tectonics
Evolution
EXAMPLE of
Change to Theory
Ptolemy vs. Copernicus:
Geocentric => Heliocentric Solar System
The Copernican theory, while still used
today, has continued to change as scientists
discovered other star systems, galaxies, and
the expanding nature of the universe.
Ptolemy vs. Copernicus
If Scientific Theory is fact, what
is Scientific Law?
Scientific theory explains something. That
is, it says HOW or WHY something
happens.
Scientific theories DO NOT become
scientific laws.
EXAMPLES: Law of Conservation, Laws of
Motion, Laws of Thermodynamics
Scientific Law
Based entirely on
observation.
Scientific Law is WHAT
HAPPENS
Scientific Laws
•A scientific law is a rule
that describes the
behavior of something in
nature.
• Does NOT explain why it happens.
Scientific Knowledge
Changes
NEW TECHNOLOGIES
NEW INFORMATION
GREATER UNDERSTANDING
OF NATURE
What Does the Future
Hold?
•Unknown new
instruments/
technology
•Knowledge will
grow.
Limits of Science
• Problems
that deal
with ethics
and belief
systems
cannot be
answered
using these
methods.
Should elephants be hunted as trophies?
• Science doesn’t have answers to all the
questions and problems in the universe.
Doing Science Right
•Tests must be UNBIASED
•Be OBJECTIVE
•If you don’t your bias, or
personal opinion, can
affect your
observations.
HOW?
•Keep detailed notes of
procedures
•Conclusions
are based on
precise
measurements
and tests.
Being Ethical and Open
• Communicate their discoveries
• publishing their research in
journals
• presenting reports at scientific
meetings.
• This allows other scientists to
examine and evaluate the work.
Being Ethical and Open
• Scientific fraud involves dishonest
acts or statements.
• Fraud could include such things as
making up data, changing the results
of experiments, or taking credit for
work done by others.
Section Check
Question 1
How does a scientific
law differ from a
scientific theory?
Section Check
2
Answer
A scientific law is a rule that
describes the behavior of
something in nature, such as
gravity. A scientific theory is an
explanation backed by results
from many experiments, and
does not always describe
something in nature.
Section Check
2
Question 2
__________ deals with moral values
about what is good or bad.
A. Data analysis
B. Ethics
C. Hypothesizing
D. Technology
Section Check
2
Answer
The answer is B.
An example of an ethical question that
science cannot answer is: Should the
federal government regulate car
emissions?