WGU C165 PHYSICAL
SCIENCE NOTES LESSONS 1-
30 COMPILATION GUIDE
, Introduction to Physical Science (Lessons 1-13) Note-Taking Guide
Using what you learn in Section 1: Lessons 1-13, take notes on key concepts by answering the following
prompts in your own words.
Physical Science involves the study of non-living systems
1) Distinguish among the fields of physics, chemistry, and Earth science.
a) Describe common types of questions and investigations in physics, chemistry, and Earth
science.
b) Describe how knowledge in each field might be useful in the other fields.
2) Describe the main methods of science.
Name Chemistry Physics Earth Science Astronomy
Primary Question How do atoms What fundamental What processes How did the
combine to form a forces exist? occur inside universe form?
new substances ? earthEarth?
Focus The study of The study of Study of Earth’s The study of the
atoms and forces and energy Earths structure physics of the
molecules, their and composition, universe and
structures, and as well as earthy celestial bodies
their interactions processes that
to form various change the earth.
substances
Types of Lab experiments, Basic research,
Investigations theoretical or Applied research
computational
work,
a) Distinguish between controlled experiments, observational experiments, field studies,
and laboratory studies. Include an example of each.
Names Controlled Observational Field Studies Laboratory
Experiments Experiments Studies
Type A scientist Can be done with Collecting data
intentionally individuals own by observing
changes one senses or by using without
quantity and tools, systems are changing or
observes how observed as they manipulating
another quantity appear in nature and the system
changes. All other reseachers do not
conditions are kept attempt to change
the same them
throughout the
experiment.
Example Seeing which soil
absorbs the
quickest.
i) Essential Vocabulary
(1) Independent variable
, (a) Is the one being changed by the experimenter
(2) Dependent variable
(a) The one that changes because of the independent variable
(3) Control variable
b) Describe how different models can be used in scientific investigations.
Name Physical Conceptual Mathematical Computer
Representation Based on Tangible or more Treat physical
observational abstract, the main objects or
data to show or goal is to capture phenomena using
study essential features mathematical
of the system methods
Purpose To be able to Used to visualize Model use Explain and
study or show on things that cannot depends on its predict natural
a smaller scale be seen application phenomena,
Example
3) Distinguish among scientific hypotheses, theories, and laws.
a) Essential Vocabulary
i) Hypothesis
(1) A proposed answer to a scientific question, educated guess
(2) Must be falsifiable
ii) Theory
(1) Fully supported, explains how and why something happens
iii) Law
(1) Fully supported, describes what we observe
4) Discuss how scientific ideas change over time.
a) Using a specific example, explain how scientific ideas change over time.
Theory Explanation Timeline/ Scientist Evidence
Big Bang Theory Describes how the 1929 – Edwin Powell Lights waves emitted
universe developed Hubble from atoms in distant
stars were shifted in
frequency compared to
light from the same
atoms on Earth
1931 – Georges The universe started by
Lamaitre expanding from a
single point
Plate Tectonics Explains the evolution 1912 – Alfred Wegener Idea of continental
of earth's continents drift, Pangea
and the distribution of
earthquakes and
volcanoes
Atomic Theory States that all matter is Antoine Lavoisier
composed of atoms Joseph Proust
which are in turn John Dalton
SCIENCE NOTES LESSONS 1-
30 COMPILATION GUIDE
, Introduction to Physical Science (Lessons 1-13) Note-Taking Guide
Using what you learn in Section 1: Lessons 1-13, take notes on key concepts by answering the following
prompts in your own words.
Physical Science involves the study of non-living systems
1) Distinguish among the fields of physics, chemistry, and Earth science.
a) Describe common types of questions and investigations in physics, chemistry, and Earth
science.
b) Describe how knowledge in each field might be useful in the other fields.
2) Describe the main methods of science.
Name Chemistry Physics Earth Science Astronomy
Primary Question How do atoms What fundamental What processes How did the
combine to form a forces exist? occur inside universe form?
new substances ? earthEarth?
Focus The study of The study of Study of Earth’s The study of the
atoms and forces and energy Earths structure physics of the
molecules, their and composition, universe and
structures, and as well as earthy celestial bodies
their interactions processes that
to form various change the earth.
substances
Types of Lab experiments, Basic research,
Investigations theoretical or Applied research
computational
work,
a) Distinguish between controlled experiments, observational experiments, field studies,
and laboratory studies. Include an example of each.
Names Controlled Observational Field Studies Laboratory
Experiments Experiments Studies
Type A scientist Can be done with Collecting data
intentionally individuals own by observing
changes one senses or by using without
quantity and tools, systems are changing or
observes how observed as they manipulating
another quantity appear in nature and the system
changes. All other reseachers do not
conditions are kept attempt to change
the same them
throughout the
experiment.
Example Seeing which soil
absorbs the
quickest.
i) Essential Vocabulary
(1) Independent variable
, (a) Is the one being changed by the experimenter
(2) Dependent variable
(a) The one that changes because of the independent variable
(3) Control variable
b) Describe how different models can be used in scientific investigations.
Name Physical Conceptual Mathematical Computer
Representation Based on Tangible or more Treat physical
observational abstract, the main objects or
data to show or goal is to capture phenomena using
study essential features mathematical
of the system methods
Purpose To be able to Used to visualize Model use Explain and
study or show on things that cannot depends on its predict natural
a smaller scale be seen application phenomena,
Example
3) Distinguish among scientific hypotheses, theories, and laws.
a) Essential Vocabulary
i) Hypothesis
(1) A proposed answer to a scientific question, educated guess
(2) Must be falsifiable
ii) Theory
(1) Fully supported, explains how and why something happens
iii) Law
(1) Fully supported, describes what we observe
4) Discuss how scientific ideas change over time.
a) Using a specific example, explain how scientific ideas change over time.
Theory Explanation Timeline/ Scientist Evidence
Big Bang Theory Describes how the 1929 – Edwin Powell Lights waves emitted
universe developed Hubble from atoms in distant
stars were shifted in
frequency compared to
light from the same
atoms on Earth
1931 – Georges The universe started by
Lamaitre expanding from a
single point
Plate Tectonics Explains the evolution 1912 – Alfred Wegener Idea of continental
of earth's continents drift, Pangea
and the distribution of
earthquakes and
volcanoes
Atomic Theory States that all matter is Antoine Lavoisier
composed of atoms Joseph Proust
which are in turn John Dalton
