St.
John’s College
IS UNIT 1. INTRODUCING
SCIENCE
___
1. Learning about science
What is science?
Science is the study of phenomena and events in Nature through systematic observation
and experimentation.
Branches of science:
○ Physics: study of matter, energy and forces
○ Chemistry: study of the properties, composition, structure and reactions of
matters
○ Biology: study of living things
○ Astronomy: study of the sun, the moon, the stars and the universe
○ Geology: study of the structure of the earth
○ Medicine: study of the human body and diseases
Application and impact of science:
Scientific discoveries and inventions have greatly improved our quality of life. However,
they can also cause harm if they are not used properly.
Scientific knowledge can help in natural resource management. There are two types of
natural resources, renewable resources and non-renewable resources.
Some problems cannot be solved using scientific knowledge. Scientific knowledge is subject to
change.
2. Practice of science
Steps in in scientific investigations
Scientists find things out by conducting scientific investigations.
Steps of scientific investigation:
1. Observe
2. Form a hypothesis
3. Design and do experiments
4. Analyze the results
5. Draw a conclusion
Types of scientific investigations
1. Fair tests
1a. Independent variable: change to find the result
1b. Dependent variable: what you are of observing
1c. Controlled variable: Same
2. Classifying
3. Pattern seeking
4. Model building
3. Laboratory safety
A laboratory is a suitable place for doing experiments. We should follow safety rules in the
laboratory.
Laboratory safety rules
We should pay attention to the hazard warning symbols on the containers of chemicals before
doing experiments.
1. Flammable: stay away from heat
2. Corrosive: wear safety goggles, well ventilated 通風 room
3. Explosive: keep away from heat, avoid shock
4. Toxic, harmful, irritant: avoid breathing, wash hands, wear safety goggles.
Handling a fire on the laboratory
A fuel, oxygen and a high temperature needed for a fire to start. These conditions make up the
fire triangle.
-Carbon dioxide type -water type -dry powder type
4. Laboratory apparatus
We use different apparatus to do experiments in the laboratory.
Sometimes we draw vertical section diagrams of the apparatus to show the experimental set-up.
1. Boiling tube (large amount of solid and liquid)
2. Test tube (small amount of solid and liquid)
3. Beaker (hold lipids or solids)
4. Conical flask (hold lipids or solids)
5. Rubber stopper (plug the opening of test tubes and flasks)
6. Reagent bottle (store liquids)
7. Dropping bottle store liquids test dill be used in drops)
8. Gas jar (collect or hold gasses)
9. Measuring cylinder (to measure the volume of the liquids)
10. Watch glass (to hold a small amount of liquids or solids)
11. Evaporating dish (to hold a liquid to be evaporated)
12. Tongs (to hold hot objects)
13. Test tube holder (to hold a test tube when heating)
14. Spatula (to transfer a small amount of liquid)
15. Test tube rack (to hold test tubes or boiling tubes safely)
16. Filter funnel (to let liquids flow down during filtration)
17. Filter paper (to separate solids from liquids during filtration)
18. Dropper (to transfer a small amount of liquids)
19. Glass rod (to stir liquids)
20. Stand and clamp (to fix the position of apparatus)
21. Bunsen burner (to heat substances)
22. Wire gauze (to support apparatus during heating)
23. Tripod (to support the wire gauze)
24. Heat-proof mat (to protect the bench during heating.
Tips for drawing vertical section diagrams
1. Draw with a sharpened HB pencil.
2. Draw straight lines with a ruler.
3. Do not shade the diagrams.
4. Keep all parts in proportion.
5. Label each piece of apparatus.
6. Make sure that the diagram is large enough so that each piece of apparatus is clear.
5. Using measuring instruments
Measurement length volume mass temperature time
Instrument half-meter measuring balance thermometer stopwatch
rule, meter cylinder
rule and
measuring
tape
Unit (symbol) millimeter milliliter milligram degree seconds (s),
(mm), (mL), (mg), Celsius (°C) minute
centimeter cubic gram (g), (min),
(cm), centimeter kilogram (kg) hour (h)
kilometer (cm^3),
(km) liter,
cubic meter
(m^3)
We can use electronic instruments for precise measurement.
6. Basic practical skills
Transferring and mixing solutions:
1. Transferring solutions
For large amount of solution: pour directly
For small amount of solution: dropper
2. Mixing solutions
-Glass rod to stir
-Gently shake the test tube
-Tap the bottom or the test tube with index finger
-Stopper the test tube and shake well
Heating
We use a Bunsen burner for heating in the laboratory.
Chimney: to direct and gas to the flame
Air hole: to let air in
Collar: to control the size of the air hole
Rubber tubing: to connect the Bunsen burner to the gas tap
Base: to hold the chimney upright
Key steps in lighting a Bunsen burner:
1. Pur the Bunsen burner in a heat-proof mat
2. Close the air hole
3. Place a gas lighter just above the top of the chimney
4. Press the button of the gas lighter and turn on the gas tap
5. open the air hole slowly
Air hole closed Air hole open
luminous (yellow) flame non-luminous (blue) flame
irregular in shape regular in shape
quiet noisy
lower temperature higher temperature
