PHYSICS 2130: Thinking Scientifically and Scientific Models

Vocabulary flashcards focusing on scientific reasoning, cognitive pitfalls, definitions of scientific constructs (theories, hypotheses, models), and physics concepts relevant to biology from PHYSICS 2130.

Law of Energy Conservation

The physical law stating that all living beings and chemical reactions do not produce or destroy energy, but rather transform and transfer it.

Selective Attention

A cognitive trap where a learner fails to pay attention to the correct or relevant details.

One-Step Thinking

The tendency to assume an idea is correct simply because it can be recalled immediately, placing higher trust in quicker and easier recall.

Folk Physics

An individual's unexamined intuition about how physical systems work, which is often assumed to be correct without checking it against observations or established knowledge.

Foothold Ideas

Core foundational concepts chosen to build context, connect ideas, and facilitate scientific thinking rather than memorizing isolated facts.

Representation Translation

The scientific skill of reading, interpreting, and converting information across different formats, such as graphs and diagrams.

Scientific Theory

A formalized set of ideas with broad validation through experimental observations and tests that specifies relevant objects, agents, or constructs ("stuff") as well as how they influence, interact, and relate to one another ("relationships").

Hypothesis

A well-informed guess explaining why a given phenomenon is observed, grounded in theory and experimental observations, that leads to testable experiments or observations.

Model

A mental construct representing the essential elements of a situation, system, or phenomenon while omitting less essential details.

"Ball-and-Spring" Model of Matter

A physical representation of matter where atoms and molecules are visualized as moving balls connected by springs that stretch and compress, representing interatomic and intermolecular interactions.