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Our First Day

STUDENT DATA SHEET

• Name (“Nickname”) [pronunciation hints]• Banner ID• Math & Science Background• Academic Major• Career Goals• Telephone Number(s)• Email Address• Free Space

LECTURE OUTLINE

• The Scientific Method

• Measurements & Unit Conversions

• Significant Figures

• Classification of Matter

SOME TERMINOLOGY

• Observation – Use of the senses, or extensions thereof, to acquire information about natural phenomena

• Hypothesis – A tentative explanation of natural phenomena

• Experiment – An observation of natural phenomena carried out in a controlled manner

About Experiments

• “Good” data is reproducible

• Rational conclusions can be drawn from reproducible data

SOME TERMINOLOGY

• Theory – A tested explanation of natural phenomena.

• Law – A concise statement or mathematical equation about natural phenomena. A summary of patterns seen in large collections of data. Usually has broad applicability.

SOME TERMINOLOGY

• Scientific Method – The general process of acquiring, testing, and refining information about natural phenomena.