Chapter Introduction
Lesson 1 Scientific
Inquiry
Scientific Inquiry
• science • scientific theory
• observation • scientific law
• inference • technology
• hypothesis • critical thinking
• prediction
Understanding Science
Science is the investigation and
exploration of natural events and of the
new information that results from those
investigations.
Branches of Science
• Physical science
It is the study of matter and energy.
• Earth science
It is the study of the many processes that
occur on Earth and deep within Earth.
• Life science
It is the study of all organisms and the
many processes that occur in them.
The Scientific Method involves a series of
steps that are used to investigate a natural
occurrence.
Steps of the Scientific Method
1-Ask a question: Develop a
question or problem that can be
solved through experimentation.
-Observations are the results of
using one or more of your senses
to gather information and taking
note of what occurs.
What is Scientific Inquiry? (cont.)
-An inference is a logical explanation of
an observation that is drawn from prior
knowledge or experience.
2-Hypothesis is a possible
explanation for an observation
that can be tested by scientific
investigations.
What is Scientific Inquiry? (cont.)
-A prediction is a statement of what will
happen next in a sequence of events.
What is Scientific Inquiry? (cont.)
3- test your hypothesis: design
an experiment.
What is Scientific Inquiry? (cont.)
4-Analyze your results and
findings.
What is Scientific Inquiry? (cont.)
5-Draw a conclusion
is a summary of the information gained
from testing a hypothesis.
What is Scientific Inquiry? (cont.)
6-Communicate results :
By exchanging information, scientists can
evaluate and test others’ work and make
faster progress in their own research.
Scientific Theory vs scintific law
• A scientific theory is an explanation of
observations or events that is based on
knowledge gained from many
observations and investigations.
• A scientific law is a rule that describes
a repeatable pattern in nature.
• A scientific law does not explain why or
how the pattern happens, it only states
that it will happen.
Scientific Law
Results of Scientific Inquiry
• 1-Technology is the practical use of
scientific knowledge, especially for
industrial or commercial use.
2-New objects or events
3- Answers to questions
Bionic hands
Evaluating Scientific Information
• Critical thinking is comparing what you
already know with the information you
are given in order to decide whether you
agree with it.
Science cannot answer all
questions.
• There are some questions that science
cannot answer.
• Questions that deal with beliefs, values,
personal opinions, and feelings cannot
be answered scientifically.
Safety in Science
• When you begin scientific inquiry,
you should always wear protective
equipment.
• You also should learn the meaning of
safety symbols, listen to your teacher’s
instructions, and learn to recognize
potential hazards.