WJEC BTEC Applied Science Unit 5 - perceptions of science (Distinction)

UNIT 5 – PERCEPTIONS OF SCIENCE

ASSIGNMENT 1 –

P1: Describe the development of a scientific theory, highlighting the processes involved.
- See attached power point slides for P1


M1: Differentiate between those questions that science is currently addressing, those that science
cannot yet answer and those that science will never be able to answer.

In the table below, I have differentiated between questions that science is addressing, questions
that science cannot yet answer, and questions that science may never answer.

Questions Science Questions Science is Questions Science Questions Science
has answered currently addressing cannot yet answer may never answer
Is the Earth flat? Can we stop the Is there intelligent Is there a God?
damage to our life elsewhere in the
environment? universe?
Can the speed of Is it right to clone Can the speed of light Do ghosts really
sound be achieved? humans? be achieved? exist?

Can mankind adapt to
living in the oceans
and in space?
Is there accessible Is there a cure for
water on other cancer?
planets?

I then produced a questionnaire for my peers including the above questions to see if they can
differentiate between questions that science is addressing, questions that science cannot yet
answer, and questions that science may never answer.

Analysed results:


Can the speed of
sound be achieved?
The results of my questionnaire show that 100% of the participants
answered that science has already answered this question. It is true
that the speed of sound can be achieved, and it is evident that the
participants are aware of this.



Science has already answered

, Is the eath flat? The results of my questionnaire show that 100% of the participants
answered that science has already answered this question. It is true
that the earth is not flat, and science has proved this with evidence,
for example we have time zones. We have time zones because when
the Sun is illuminating one side of the spherical Earth, the other side
is dark. This can only be explained if the world is round and rotating
around its own axis. The participants have clear knowledge that the
earth is not flat.
Science as already answered




Can we stop damage to
the enviroment The results of my questionnaire show that just over half of the
participants stated that science is currently answering this question
while just under half answered that science has already answered this
question. Both are technically correct science has directly answered
this question saying yes, we can stop damage to the environment, but
science is also currently addressing the issue to stop damage to the
environment, but science has directly answered this question saying
Science has already answered this
Science is currently answering this
yes, we can stop damage to the environment.



Is there a God?

The results of my questionnaire show that a 2/3 of the participants
believe science may never answer this question while the remaining
1/3 believe science cannot yet answer this question. There is no
Science cannot yet answer this scientific proof that there is a God as of this point in time. Therefore
question all participants are correct in their thinking.
Science may never answer this
question




Is it right to clone
humans? The results of my questionnaire highlights that 1/3 of the participants
said that science has already answered this question and the other 2/3
of participants stated that science is currently answering this
question. Science understands that human cloning is possible but
Can mankind adapt to whether it is considered ‘right’ or ethical is currently be investigated.
Science has already answered this There is a mixed opinion on this from the participants.
living in the oceans and
question
space?answerig this
Science is currently
question




Science is currently answering this question