"Science is built up with facts, as a house is with stones.
But a collection of facts is no more a science than a heap
of stones is a house."
Henri Poincare (1854-1912)
Science and Hypothesis

PSC2121 TOPICS: The topics we will study fall into the following broad categories:

FURTHER READING: As an introduction to physical science and its place in today's society you should read Chapter 1 in Merken's book. Also, while taking this course you may want to browse through various scientifically based articles such as those that appear in SCIENCE, SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC and from time to time in newspapers, NEWSWEEK or TIME magazines. Even when you're in the doctor's or dentist's waiting room, be on the look-out for scientific articles in the magazines there!! You can also find some short biographies Prof. Jordan has written of scientists by clicking here.

GOALS AND AIMS OF SCIENCE: To understand nature by seeking the relationships between FACTS (usually observations). Understanding is achieved through LAWS, THEORIES and MODELS that serve to organize the "raw" facts.

LAWS: Are statements, often in mathematical language, of a relationship between physical quantities (such as how the pressure of a gas changes with its volume, how the extension of a spring depends on the load applied, etc). Their real value is that they are inviolate and they enable us to PREDICT behavior. Laws may be explained by theories.

THEORIES: Are introduced to "explain" laws. However, they are often considered tentative, perhaps because of our lack of a complete understanding. Thus, they can, and often are, replaced by simpler, or possibly more sophisticated, detailed or rational theories.

MODELS: Are "pictorial" representations of theories. They make concepts that are often difficult to appreciate more clear. As our understanding of a phenomenon develops, models are often replaced by more "useful" models.

UNITS: The physical quantities we deal with MUST be given precise meanings (in science, we call them UNITS). Just think, you would never go into a shop and ask for "two" ... you would specify "two apples" or "two stamps", etc. And so, in science, we MUST always give a unit to any measurement or observation. This has led to the definition of FUNDAMENTAL PHYSICAL QUANTITIES. It is important that you know soemthing about units and their definitions (and historical development) and so you should read Chapter 2 of Merken's book. Here is a link to a short tutorial on converting units.

SCIENTIFIC NOTATION: During this course you will encounter scientific notation. Here is a link to a short tutorial on the most important rules.