The Physical Sciences

Chapter One: What Physics and Chemistry are About

• 1.1 The Physical Science in Your Life

• 1.2 Describing the Physical World

• 1.3 Energy, Matter, and Change

1.1 The Physical Science in Your Life

• Few inventions have changed the world as much as the car.

• Speed and motion are both part of physics. How long does it take to

get from Boston to Washington, D.C. in a car today?

1.1 The Physical Science in Your Life

• Forces are described by physics.

• Physics tells us how much force it takes to get moving, to turn, or to stop.

Why does it take more force to stop a moving truck than a moving car?

1.1 The Physical Science in Your Life

• Mass is the amount of matter contained in an object.

• Physics tells us what mass is and how it affects what we do.

1.1 The Physical Science in Your Life

• Chemistry is the science that concerns the different kinds of matter.

• Chemistry also explains how different kinds of matter are created and how matter can be changed from one kind to another.

1.1 The Physical Science in Your Life

• Matter is everything that has shape and takes up space.

• The matter in the car comes in three forms we call solid, liquid, and gas.

1.1 The Physical Science in Your Life

• Air is matter.

• It takes up space and has mass.

• The total mass of air in a classroom is about equal to the mass of a student!

1.1 The Physical Science in Your Life

• Physical science applies to everything, not just to machines like cars.

• Even living organisms are governed by the rules of physics and chemistry.

1.1 The Physical Science in Your Life

• Biochemistry is a branch of chemistry that explores exactly how plants and animals use chemicals and energy.

Where do these runners get their energy?

1.1 The Physical Science in Your Life• Think of technology

as applied science, using science to solve problems or accomplish tasks.

• Technology includes all the inventions and techniques humans have developed.Can you explain how car

technology has both good and bad aspects?

1.1 The Physical Science in Your Life

• The design cycle starts with an idea.

What would you like to see invented next?

1.1 The Physical Science in Your Life• Engineering is a very creative, fun, and

well-paying career.

Can you name six fields of engineering and give an example of the work done in each?

Investigation 1A

• How is time measured accurately?

Measuring Time