Chapter 2 Flashcards
science
discovering how nature works and using that knowledge to predict future behavior
hypothesis
testable explanation for data
scientific theory
a well tested, widely accepted scientific hypothesis
scientific steps to discover answers
- observation that generates questions
- devise hypothesis
- construct experiments of hypothesis
- see if results support or eject hypothesis
- repeat if needed
4 important steps to critical thinking
- be skeptical
- evaluate evidence and reliable opinions
- be open to many viewpoints
- identify and evaluate your own personal biases and assumptions
scientific law/law of nature
well tested and widely accepted description of what we find repeatedly happening in nature
organic compound
a compound that contains at least 2 carbon atoms, except methane
gene
sequences of nucleotides that contain DNA instructions. Genes make up chromosomes
high quality energy
concentrated energy that has a high capacity to do useful work (concentrated sunlight, high temp heat, high-speed wind, burning fossil fuels)
low quality energy
energy that is dispersed and has little capacity to do useful work. (big number of moving molecules in atmosphere or ocean)
first law of thermodynamics
energy can’t be created or destroyed
second law of thermodynamics
when energy is converted from one form to another we end up with lower quality energy
system
set of components that function and interact in a regular way
feedback loop
an output is fed back into a system and leads to changes in the system
positive feedback loop
causes a system to change farther in the same direction
