What Is SCIENCE??
Students should now be able to:
- Define Science
- Define Engineering
- Distinguish some types of Sciences
- Define Engineering
- List the processes involved in the Scientific Method
One of the Most significant Persons associated with the use of the Scientific Method is Galileo Galilei
Galileo Galilei Was an Italian physicist, mathematician, engineer, astronomer, and philosopher who played a major role in the scientific revolution.
His Many contributions to Science have led him to often be referred to as:
•the "father of modern observational astronomy“
•the "father of modern physics“
•the "father of science",
"the Father of Modern Science"
His Many contributions to Science have led him to often be referred to as:
•the "father of modern observational astronomy“
•the "father of modern physics“
•the "father of science",
"the Father of Modern Science"
Students should be able to:
- Discuss how the methodology employed by Galileo contributed to the development of Physics
Some of Galileo's significant study involved work with the Pendulum
The Pendulum
- A weight suspended from a pivot so that it can swing freely
The motion of pendulums could not be explained by Aristotelian physics, which was the predominant way to explain the behavior of bodies near the Earth
According to these beliefs a heavy body sought its natural place, the center of the universe.
This clearly did not explain the back and forth motion of a heavy body suspended from a rope
The motion of pendulums could not be explained by Aristotelian physics, which was the predominant way to explain the behavior of bodies near the Earth
According to these beliefs a heavy body sought its natural place, the center of the universe.
This clearly did not explain the back and forth motion of a heavy body suspended from a rope
The diagram below shows the set up of a simple laboratory pendulum
Pendulums are found in several aspects of our lives and have a variety of uses, a few are:
There are several investigate the factors which might affect the period of a simple pendulum. These are:
The effect of these factors will be investigated in our Practical Activity.
- mass of bob
- amplitude(angle of displacement)
- length of pendulum
The effect of these factors will be investigated in our Practical Activity.
Use the simulation programme below to investigate some of the effects of altering factors such as mass, angle and length.
Our Practical Activities will also allow us to investigate graphs and other aspects of taking measurements.
Students should be able to:
- Use graphs of experimental data from simple pendulum
- Draw a line of ‘best fit’ for a set of plotted values
- Determine the gradient of the straight line graph
- Express the result of a measurement or calculation to an appropriate number of significant figures
- Discuss possible types and sources of error in any measurement
- Use a variety of instruments to measure different quantities
- Assess the suitability of instruments on the basis of sensitivity, accuracy and range
As discovered by Archimedes':
- Objects that have the same mass do not necessarily have the same volume
- Objects that have the same volume do not necessarily have the same mass
Density
Density is the mass per unit volume of a substance. Units: = kg/ m3
Recall
Mass – The amount of matter in an object. Units: kilograms (kg)
Volume – The amount of space occupied. Units: cubic metres (m3)
Volume – The amount of space occupied. Units: cubic metres (m3)
All matter either solid, liquids or gases have a mass, and can occupy space. All forms of matter therefore have density. These densities can be determined in various ways:
· Regularly Shaped Objects:
The mass is found on a balance. The volume is determined by measuring the dimensions.
· Irregularly Shaped Objects:
The mass is found on a balance. The volume is determined by utilizing:
· Liquids
The mass is found on a balance being sure to make corrections for the mass of the container. The volume is determined by utilizing a measuring device.
· Air
The mass is found on a balance being sure to make corrections for the mass of the container by removing all gas utilizing a vacuum pump The volume is determined by measuring the volume of the container.
· Regularly Shaped Objects:
The mass is found on a balance. The volume is determined by measuring the dimensions.
· Irregularly Shaped Objects:
The mass is found on a balance. The volume is determined by utilizing:
- The method of displacement or
- The method of differences
· Liquids
The mass is found on a balance being sure to make corrections for the mass of the container. The volume is determined by utilizing a measuring device.
· Air
The mass is found on a balance being sure to make corrections for the mass of the container by removing all gas utilizing a vacuum pump The volume is determined by measuring the volume of the container.
Relative density
Sometimes we may wish to compare the density of substances relative to another this is referred to as its relative density. Most commonly, the density of water is used as the reference substance for liquids while the density of air is used for gases.
Differences in densities are important in our daily lives as it allows objects to sink or float.
Whether objects float or sink is also governed by what is referred to as Archimedes' Principle.
Archimedes' Principle
RECALL: (from the video)
The upward force (also called Upthrust) that keeps an object afloat is equal to the magnitude of the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.
The upward force (also called Upthrust) that keeps an object afloat is equal to the magnitude of the weight of the fluid displaced by the object.
Students should be able to:
- Apply the formula for density and deduce its unit.
- Determine the density of regular and irregular solids and a liquid.
- Apply Archimedes’ principle to predict whether a body would float or sink in a given fluid.
- Perform activities to check predictions.