ST
An Introduction to Physical
UV
IA_ Science – 15th Edition
SOLUTIONS
AP
PR
MANUAL O VE
James Shipman D?
Jerry D. Wilson
Charles A. Higgins
Bo Lou
Comprehensive Solution Manual for
Instructors and Students
© James Shipman, Jerry D. Wilson, Charles A. Higgins & Bo Lou
All rights reserved. Reproduction or distribution without permission is prohibited.
Created by MedConnoisseur ©2025/2026
,ST
TABLE OF CONTENTS
An Introduction to Physical Science – 15th Edition
UV
Shipman, Wilson, Higgins & Lou
IA_
Chapter 1. Measurement
Chapter 2. Motion
AP
Chapter 3. Newton’s Laws of Motion
Chapter 4. Energy
Chapter 5. Heat and Temperature
PR
Chapter 6. Waves and Sound
Chapter 7. Light and Optics
Chapter 8. Electricity and Magnetism
Chapter 9. Atomic Physics
Chapter 10. Nuclear Physics
O VE
Chapter 11. The Periodic Table
Chapter 12. Chemical Bonding D?
Chapter 13. Chemical Reactions
Chapter 14. Acids, Bases, and Salts
Chapter 15. Organic Chemistry
Chapter 16. Biochemistry
Chapter 17. The Universe: Place and Time
Chapter 18. The Solar System
Chapter 19. Moons and Small Solar System Bodies
Chapter 20. The Atmosphere
Chapter 21. Atmospheric Effects
Chapter 22. Minerals and Rocks
Chapter 23. Surface Processes
Chapter 24. Structural Geology and Plate Tectonics
Created by MedConnoisseur ©2025/2026
,ST
SOLUTION MANUAL FOR An Introduction to Physical Science 15th
Edition James Shipman, Jerry D. Wilson,Charles A. Higgins, Bo Lou
UV
Chapter 1-24
IA_ Chapter 1
MEASUREMENT
Chapter 1 is important because all quantitative knowledge about our physical environment is
based on measurement. Some chapter sections have been reorganized and rewritten for clarity.
AP
The 1.2 Section, ―Scientific Investigation,‖ introduces the student to the procedures for scientific
investigation. Major terms such as experiment, law, hypothesis, theory and scientific method are
introduced. The idea that physical science deals with quantitative knowledge should be stressed.
PR
It is not enough to know that a car is going ―fast‖; it is necessary to know how fast.
A good understanding of units is of the utmost importance, particularly with the metric-
British use in the United States today. The metric SI is introduced and explained. Both the metric
OV
and the British systems are used in the book in the early chapters for familiarity. The instructor
may decide to do examples primarily in the metric system, but the student should get some
practice in converting between the systems. This provides knowledge of the comparative size of
ED
similar units in the different systems and makes the student feel comfortable using what may be
unfamiliar metric units. The Highlight, ―Is Unit Conversion Important? It Sure Is,‖ illustrates the
importance of unit conversion. ?
The general theme of the chapter and the textbook is the students’ position in his or her
physical world. Show the students that they know about their environment and themselves
through measurements. Measurements are involved in the answers to such questions as, How old
are you? How much do you weigh? How tall are you? What is the normal body temperature?
How much money do you have? These and many other technical questions are resolved or
answered by measurements and quantitative analyses.
DEMONSTRATIONS
Have a meter stick, a yardstick, a timer, one or more kilogram masses, a one-liter beaker or a liter
soda container, a one-quart container, and a balance or scales available on the instructor’s desk.
Demonstrate the comparative units. The meter stick can be compared to the yardstick to show the
difference between them, along with the subunits of inches and centimeters. The liter and quart
also can be compared. Pass the kilogram mass around the classroom so that students can get some
, ST
idea of the amount of mass in one kilogram. Mass and weight may be compared on the balance
and scales.
When discussing Section 1.6, ―Derived Units and Conversion Factors,‖ have class
UV
members guess the length of the instructor’s desk in metric and British units. Then have several
students independently measure the length with the meter stick and yardstick. Compare the
measurements in terms of significant figures and units. Compare the averages of the
IA_
measurements and estimates. Convert the average metric measurement to British units, and vice
versa, to practice conversion factors and to see how the measurements compare.
Various metric unit demonstrations are available from commercial sources.
ANSWERS TO MATCHING QUESTIONS
a. 15 b. 8 c. 10 d. 2 e. 19 f. 14
AP g. 21 h. 13 i. 18 j. 6 k. 11 l. 3 m. 12 n. 1 o. 9
p. 4 q. 23 r. 17 s. 5 t. 20 u. 16 v. 22
PR w. 7
ANSWERS TO MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. c 2. b 3. c 4. b 5. b 6. c 7. d
OV
8. b 9. d 10. c 11. b 12. b 13. a 14. b
ANSWERS TO FILL-IN-THE-BLANK QUESTIONS ED
1. biological 2. hypothesis 3. scientific method 4. sight, hearing 5. limitations 6. less
9
7. longer 8. fundamental 9. time or second 10. one-billion, 10 11. liter
12. mass 13. less ?
ANSWERS TO SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. An organized body of knowledge about the natural universe by which knowledge is acquired
and tested.
2. Physics, chemistry, astronomy, meteorology, and geology.
3. The 5 elements of scientific method are:
1. Observations and Measurements,
2. Hypothesis,
3. Experiments,
4. Theory, and
5. Law.
4. Hypothesis
An Introduction to Physical
UV
IA_ Science – 15th Edition
SOLUTIONS
AP
PR
MANUAL O VE
James Shipman D?
Jerry D. Wilson
Charles A. Higgins
Bo Lou
Comprehensive Solution Manual for
Instructors and Students
© James Shipman, Jerry D. Wilson, Charles A. Higgins & Bo Lou
All rights reserved. Reproduction or distribution without permission is prohibited.
Created by MedConnoisseur ©2025/2026
,ST
TABLE OF CONTENTS
An Introduction to Physical Science – 15th Edition
UV
Shipman, Wilson, Higgins & Lou
IA_
Chapter 1. Measurement
Chapter 2. Motion
AP
Chapter 3. Newton’s Laws of Motion
Chapter 4. Energy
Chapter 5. Heat and Temperature
PR
Chapter 6. Waves and Sound
Chapter 7. Light and Optics
Chapter 8. Electricity and Magnetism
Chapter 9. Atomic Physics
Chapter 10. Nuclear Physics
O VE
Chapter 11. The Periodic Table
Chapter 12. Chemical Bonding D?
Chapter 13. Chemical Reactions
Chapter 14. Acids, Bases, and Salts
Chapter 15. Organic Chemistry
Chapter 16. Biochemistry
Chapter 17. The Universe: Place and Time
Chapter 18. The Solar System
Chapter 19. Moons and Small Solar System Bodies
Chapter 20. The Atmosphere
Chapter 21. Atmospheric Effects
Chapter 22. Minerals and Rocks
Chapter 23. Surface Processes
Chapter 24. Structural Geology and Plate Tectonics
Created by MedConnoisseur ©2025/2026
,ST
SOLUTION MANUAL FOR An Introduction to Physical Science 15th
Edition James Shipman, Jerry D. Wilson,Charles A. Higgins, Bo Lou
UV
Chapter 1-24
IA_ Chapter 1
MEASUREMENT
Chapter 1 is important because all quantitative knowledge about our physical environment is
based on measurement. Some chapter sections have been reorganized and rewritten for clarity.
AP
The 1.2 Section, ―Scientific Investigation,‖ introduces the student to the procedures for scientific
investigation. Major terms such as experiment, law, hypothesis, theory and scientific method are
introduced. The idea that physical science deals with quantitative knowledge should be stressed.
PR
It is not enough to know that a car is going ―fast‖; it is necessary to know how fast.
A good understanding of units is of the utmost importance, particularly with the metric-
British use in the United States today. The metric SI is introduced and explained. Both the metric
OV
and the British systems are used in the book in the early chapters for familiarity. The instructor
may decide to do examples primarily in the metric system, but the student should get some
practice in converting between the systems. This provides knowledge of the comparative size of
ED
similar units in the different systems and makes the student feel comfortable using what may be
unfamiliar metric units. The Highlight, ―Is Unit Conversion Important? It Sure Is,‖ illustrates the
importance of unit conversion. ?
The general theme of the chapter and the textbook is the students’ position in his or her
physical world. Show the students that they know about their environment and themselves
through measurements. Measurements are involved in the answers to such questions as, How old
are you? How much do you weigh? How tall are you? What is the normal body temperature?
How much money do you have? These and many other technical questions are resolved or
answered by measurements and quantitative analyses.
DEMONSTRATIONS
Have a meter stick, a yardstick, a timer, one or more kilogram masses, a one-liter beaker or a liter
soda container, a one-quart container, and a balance or scales available on the instructor’s desk.
Demonstrate the comparative units. The meter stick can be compared to the yardstick to show the
difference between them, along with the subunits of inches and centimeters. The liter and quart
also can be compared. Pass the kilogram mass around the classroom so that students can get some
, ST
idea of the amount of mass in one kilogram. Mass and weight may be compared on the balance
and scales.
When discussing Section 1.6, ―Derived Units and Conversion Factors,‖ have class
UV
members guess the length of the instructor’s desk in metric and British units. Then have several
students independently measure the length with the meter stick and yardstick. Compare the
measurements in terms of significant figures and units. Compare the averages of the
IA_
measurements and estimates. Convert the average metric measurement to British units, and vice
versa, to practice conversion factors and to see how the measurements compare.
Various metric unit demonstrations are available from commercial sources.
ANSWERS TO MATCHING QUESTIONS
a. 15 b. 8 c. 10 d. 2 e. 19 f. 14
AP g. 21 h. 13 i. 18 j. 6 k. 11 l. 3 m. 12 n. 1 o. 9
p. 4 q. 23 r. 17 s. 5 t. 20 u. 16 v. 22
PR w. 7
ANSWERS TO MULTIPLE-CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. c 2. b 3. c 4. b 5. b 6. c 7. d
OV
8. b 9. d 10. c 11. b 12. b 13. a 14. b
ANSWERS TO FILL-IN-THE-BLANK QUESTIONS ED
1. biological 2. hypothesis 3. scientific method 4. sight, hearing 5. limitations 6. less
9
7. longer 8. fundamental 9. time or second 10. one-billion, 10 11. liter
12. mass 13. less ?
ANSWERS TO SHORT-ANSWER QUESTIONS
1. An organized body of knowledge about the natural universe by which knowledge is acquired
and tested.
2. Physics, chemistry, astronomy, meteorology, and geology.
3. The 5 elements of scientific method are:
1. Observations and Measurements,
2. Hypothesis,
3. Experiments,
4. Theory, and
5. Law.
4. Hypothesis
