August 28th
OWL
Couldn't return? We will use OWL as a way to do problem sets with feedback. I have been told that those who actually do the problem sets see an improvement of a grade or so.
Attendance
I am told that students in 102 tend to skip class a lot.
Why science for non-scientists?
Law, Hypothesis, Theory, & Experiment
Law: Law of Conservation of Matter, Law of Gravity. Laws don't say why, they just say what. Think about our legal system: there is a law that says that you are not permitted to drive above the posted speed limit. That law does not say why you are not permitted to do that. Similarly, the Law of Gravity states that objects are attracted to one another, and it tells us the strength of that attraction between any two objects. It does not tell us why they are attracted to one another.
Hypothesis: Feynman's "guess". This is the basis of "what if?" scenarios.
Theory: explains why. What happens after you take a hypothesis or three, spin out their implications, test those implications through experiments, and find that the experimental data are consistent with the implications you came up with. From the text book: "A theory is never proved, only validated by experiment." Well... What do you know? Perception we live in the "now". Sun disappears.
Experiment: From the text: "A controlled observation specifically designed to test a hypothesis." Silly Putty. How about experiments in geology? Evolution? Macro economics? Political science? Observation.
Mice in water maze: old blood versus new blood.
OWL's effect on grades.
1.4 - "The First People to Wonder About Molecular Reasons"
Really? The Greek philosophers? Democritus (460-370 BC)? Lost Discoveries.
1.5 - "Immortality and Endless Riches"
Eh, read if you wish.
1.6 - "The Beginning of Modern Science"
Again, read if you wish.
1.7 - "The Classification of Matter"
Composition: pure (elements, compounds) vs. mixtures. State of matter: solid, liquid, gas.
OWL
Couldn't return? We will use OWL as a way to do problem sets with feedback. I have been told that those who actually do the problem sets see an improvement of a grade or so.
Attendance
I am told that students in 102 tend to skip class a lot.
Why science for non-scientists?
Law, Hypothesis, Theory, & Experiment
Law: Law of Conservation of Matter, Law of Gravity. Laws don't say why, they just say what. Think about our legal system: there is a law that says that you are not permitted to drive above the posted speed limit. That law does not say why you are not permitted to do that. Similarly, the Law of Gravity states that objects are attracted to one another, and it tells us the strength of that attraction between any two objects. It does not tell us why they are attracted to one another.
Hypothesis: Feynman's "guess". This is the basis of "what if?" scenarios.
Theory: explains why. What happens after you take a hypothesis or three, spin out their implications, test those implications through experiments, and find that the experimental data are consistent with the implications you came up with. From the text book: "A theory is never proved, only validated by experiment." Well... What do you know? Perception we live in the "now". Sun disappears.
Experiment: From the text: "A controlled observation specifically designed to test a hypothesis." Silly Putty. How about experiments in geology? Evolution? Macro economics? Political science? Observation.
Mice in water maze: old blood versus new blood.
OWL's effect on grades.
1.4 - "The First People to Wonder About Molecular Reasons"
Really? The Greek philosophers? Democritus (460-370 BC)? Lost Discoveries.
1.5 - "Immortality and Endless Riches"
Eh, read if you wish.
1.6 - "The Beginning of Modern Science"
Again, read if you wish.
1.7 - "The Classification of Matter"
Composition: pure (elements, compounds) vs. mixtures. State of matter: solid, liquid, gas.