1.9: Chemistry, Matter, and Measurement (Exercises)

1. Based on what you know, which fields are branches of science?

   1. meteorology (the study of weather)
   2. astrophysics (the physics of planets and stars)
   3. economics (the study of money and monetary systems)
   4. astrology (the prediction of human events based on planetary and star positions)
   5. political science (the study of politics)

2. Based on what you know, which fields are a branches of science?

   1. history (the study of past events)
   2. ornithology (the study of birds)
   3. paleontology (the study of fossils)
   4. zoology (the study of animals)
   5. phrenology (using the shape of the head to determine personal characteristics)

3. Which of the following are examples of matter?

   1. a baby
   2. an idea
   3. the Empire State Building
   4. an emotion
   5. the air
   6. Alpha Centauri, the closest known star (excluding the sun) to our solar system

4. Which of the following are examples of matter?

   1. your textbook
   2. brain cells
   3. love
   4. a can of soda
   5. breakfast cereal

5. Suggest a name for the science that studies the physics of rocks and the earth.

6. Suggest a name for the study of the physics of living organisms.

7. Engineering is the practical application of scientific principles and discoveries to develop things that make our lives easier. Is medicine science or engineering? Justify your answer.

8. Based on the definition of engineering in Exercise 7, would building a bridge over a river or road be considered science or engineering? Justify your answer.

9. When someone says, “I have a theory that excess salt causes high blood pressure,” does that person really have a theory? If it is not a theory, what is it?

10. When a person says, “My hypothesis is that excess calcium in the diet causes kidney stones,” what does the person need to do to determine if the hypothesis is correct?

11. Some people argue that many scientists accept many scientific principles on faith. Using what you know about the scientific method, how might you argue against that assertion?

12. Most students take multiple English classes in school. Does the study of English use the scientific method?

Answers

1.  

   1. science
   2. science
   3. not science
   4. not science
   5. not science

2.

1. not science
2. science
3. science
4. science
5. not science

3.  

   1. matter
   2. not matter
   3. matter
   4. not matter
   5. matter
   6. matter

4.

• matter
• matter
• not matter
• matter
• matter

5. geophysics

6. biophysics

7. Medicine is probably closer to a field of engineering than a field of science, but this may be arguable. Ask your doctor.

8. Engineering

9. In scientific terms, this person has a hypothesis.
10. Conduct experiments to determine if kidney stones contain calcium.
11. Science is based on reproducible facts, not blind belief.
12. No.