1. Meaning of Scientific Study
Scientific study is a systematic process of gaining knowledge about natural phenomena based on observation, experiment, data collection, and logical reasoning.
Science is not guesswork; it is based on facts, evidence, and experiments.
2. Steps of Scientific Learning (Scientific Method)
The steps of scientific learning are shown in Fig. 1.2.
🔬 Steps:
Observation / Curiosity
Question for research
Hypothesis building
Experiment / Testing
Result and conclusion
Hypothesis testing
Report and communication
Explanation:
Observation: Careful watching of events (e.g., sour taste of lemon)
Question: Why is lemon sour?
Hypothesis: Lemon is acidic.
Experiment: Test lemon juice using pH paper.
Data collection: pH value recorded.
Conclusion: Lemon is acidic.
Hypothesis test:
✔ Proved hypothesis
✘ Unproven hypothesis (needs modification)
3. Scientific Study of Acidic, Basic and Neutral Substances
(a) Research Question
Are fruits and chemicals acidic, basic, or neutral?
(b) Hypothesis
Lemon and orange are acidic.
Soap and washing powder are basic.
Water and salt solution are neutral.
(c) Experimental Work
Test substances using pH paper / universal indicator
Observe color change
(d) Data Collection Method
Record pH value
Compare with pH scale:
pH < 7 → Acidic
pH = 7 → Neutral
pH > 7 → Basic
4. Scientific Process Skills
Scientific process skills help us learn science properly.
Important skills:
Observation
Questioning
Classification
Prediction
Measurement
Interpretation
Conclusion
Communication
5. Activity: Paper Aeroplane
Scientific skills used:
Observation
Prediction
Experimentation
Comparison
Conclusion
Example:
Predict which aeroplane flies longer → test → compare → improve model.
6. Scientific Learning from Daily Life
Example: Formation of water drops
Cold plate → more water drops
Hot plate → fewer water drops
Conclusion:
Temperature affects condensation.
Same principle is used in:
Cloud formation
Rainfall prediction
Weather forecasting
7. Scientific Study in Vaccine Development
Steps followed:
Observation of virus effect
Question: How to stop virus?
Hypothesis: Vaccine can protect
Testing on animals (mice)
Data collection
Testing on humans
Mass application
This shows real-life application of scientific method.
8. Fields of Science
(A) Biology
Study of living organisms
Branches: Zoology, Botany, Genetics, Microbiology
Professionals: Doctor, Biologist, Genetic Engineer
(B) Physics
Study of force, motion, energy, matter
Branches: Nuclear physics, Atomic physics
Professionals: Engineer, Physicist, Radiologist
(C) Chemistry
Study of matter and chemical changes
Branches: Organic, Inorganic, Physical chemistry
Professionals: Chemist, Pharmacologist
(D) Interdisciplinary Fields
Geology, Astronomy, Environmental Science, Agriculture
9. Achievements of Science and Technology
FieldAchievementsBiologyVaccine, organ transplant, cloningPhysicsX-ray, microscope, communicationChemistryMedicine, fertilizer, plasticsAgricultureImproved seeds, higher yieldAIAutomation, smart technology
10. Challenges of Science and Technology
Radiation hazards
Air and noise pollution
Environmental degradation
Health problems
Privacy issues in AI
Unemployment due to automation
11. Safety Measures in Scientific Experiments
Important rules:
Perform experiments under teacher supervision
Wear lab coat, gloves, safety goggles
Never add water to acid (add acid to water)
Heat alcohol using water bath
Use chemicals carefully
Inform teacher in case of accident
Clean lab after experiment
Example: Marie Curie died due to radiation exposure.
12. Scientific Measurement
Measurement is essential in science to get accurate data.
Types of measurement:
Small (virus size)
Large (distance between Earth and Sun)
13. Scientific Notation
Definition:
A method of expressing very large or very small numbers in powers of 10.
Rules:
Base is always 10
Coefficient is between 1 and 9
Power is positive or negative
Examples:
1230000 = 1.23 × 10⁶
0.00042 = 4.2 × 10⁻⁴
0.00000001 = 1 × 10⁻⁸
300000000 = 3 × 10⁸
14. Metric Prefix
PrefixSymbolValuekilok10³megaM10⁶gigaG10⁹millim10⁻³microμ10⁻⁶nanon10⁻⁹
1 nanosecond = 10⁻⁹ second
15. Least Count of Instruments
Definition:
The smallest measurement an instrument can measure.
InstrumentQuantityLeast CountScaleLength1 mmStopwatchTime0.01 sProtractorAngle1°
Smaller least count = more accurate measurement
16. Importance of Average in Measurement
Measurements may vary
Taking average reduces error
Average = (Sum of readings) / Number of readings
Average measurement is more reliable and accurate.