Introduction to Physics and the Scientific Method

Flashcards covering the fundamental concepts of science, scientific terminology, the scientific method, and the mathematical framework of physics as presented in Lecture 1.

Science

The systematic pursuit of knowledge that comes about through asking questions, making careful observations, and carrying out experiments about how the universe works.

Scientific Method

The process by which scientists come to solve problems, beginning with a question or an observation.

Hypothesis

A descriptive statement about how the world works, based on observations, that can be tested to determine its validity.

Fact

A hypothesis that has been verified by many other scientists through experimental validation.

Photoelectric Effect

The discovery that light acts like a particle, which helped usher in quantum physics and technologies like light-sensing photomultiplier tubes.

Theory

An explanation of how the universe works that is supported by multiple, repeated experiments and makes predictions that can be verified as true or false.

Scientific Law

A statement that explains observed phenomena, often using mathematical equations to predict the behavior of objects.

Michaelson-Morley experiment

An 1887 experiment that disproved the existence of some type of medium permeating through space, confirming that space is a vacuum.

Peer Review

A process where other scientists in a field read through work to double check experimental procedures and data analysis before publication.

Physics

The fundamental science that focuses on the natural world and the fundamentals of the workings of our universe without focusing on any one particular topic.

Engineering

The application of science generated in fields like physics, chemistry, and biology into the creation of new technology.

Technology

What results when scientific principles are used to solve problems, ranging from simple items like pencils to complex systems like satellites.

Pseudoscience

Scientific-sounding jargon or ideas, such as astrology, that have not been verified using the scientific method and are often used to mislead others.

Scalars

Physical quantities that convey only a numerical quantity, value, or strength.

Vectors

Physical quantities that express both a strength and a direction, often denoted with an arrow above the symbol or bold font.

Wavelength symbol

The lowercase Greek letter lambda, denoted as $\lambda$, representing the distance between two identical points on a wave.

SI Units

The International System of Units used in physics and engineering, including meters for distance and kilograms for mass.

1999 Mars Orbiter Crash

A failure caused by a lack of precision in units, where some team members used English units ($\text{pounds}$) while others used SI units ($\text{Newtons}$).