Scientist learn by keeping their eyes open and ASKING QUESTIONS!!!

Science is always changing.

Scientific theory-an attempt to explain a pattern observed repeatedly in the natural world.

Scientific law-a rule that describes a pattern in nature.

   For an observation to become a scientific law, it must be repeatable.

Examples:

*The sun rises in the East is a law because it describes an observation.

*The sun rises every day because gravity keeps Earth in orbit around the   sun is a theory because it explains something.

A system is  a collection of structures, cycles, and processes that relate to and interact with each other.

Parts of a System:

•Structures: tables, chairs, pencils, pens

•Cycles: schedule, calendars

•Processes: things you do throughout the day. EX: Come to class and start warm-up.

Section 3 Chapter 1

Types of models:

1. physical-models you can see or touch

2. computer-viewed on a computer screen; can model events that take a long time, or take place too quickly to see.

3. idea-ideas or concepts that describe how someone thinks about something in the natural world. Example:  E=MC2

Ways to use models:

1. to communicate

2. test predictions

3. save time, money, and lives

*Models do change when more information is discovered by observation or other data.

*Models give us something to build upon. They are not perfect, but they provide a visual tool to learn from.