Branches of science
Read this brief article and write the definitions on your sheet.
In general, pure science is divided into the following categories:
- Life sciences, also known as biology, which describe living organisms, their internal processes, and their relationship to each other and the environment.
- Physical sciences, which deal with matter and energy and allow us to describe the material universe in terms of weight, mass, volume, and other standard, objective measures.
- Earth and space sciences, which explain the phenomena of Earth and the universe to which it belongs.
However, these three categories of pure science have areas of overlap, where one type of phenomenon may be associated with another. For example, light (studied in physics) is the energy source behind the (chemical) process of photosynthesis, or food production, in plants (studied in biology). For this reason, distinctions between pure sciences, and even between pure and applied sciences, can blur, and a new compound science can develop. An example of this is biochemistry, in which the chemical processes of living things (such as photosynthesis) are observed and explained.
Complete the Quizlet below in order to practice fitting specific areas of science into one of the three main categories of pure science. As you get them correct, record them as examples on your worksheet under the correct category.
Check your answers for the next section here!
The words science and technology can and often are used interchangeably. But the goal of science is the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake while the goal of technology is to create products that solve problems and improve human life. Simply put, technology is the practical application of science. The motto of the two could be "Science is knowing" and "technology is doing". However, the two often complement one another.
Read this article for a current news story about dark matter. Pay attention to the use of both science and technology.
Finally, take this short quiz to show your understanding of the content taught in this lesson. This will count as an assignment grade and will be recorded in ProgressBook.