Study Guide for Physical Science 100
What we study in the Physical Sciences.
How the surrounding world can be described through the usage of the four fundamental properties and their derived properties.
The International System of Units (units, prefixes and conversions.)
The four fundamental forces (their name, strength, range, and behavior.)
The scientific methodology, and the limits of science.
The need for using scales, and different systems of coordinates for orientation and space-time characterization of phenomena.
Microscopic world; types of forces that characterize it, ranges, 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D descriptions.
The concepts of mass, volume, density and weight.
The atom; its main components (nucleus and the electronic cloud), the particles that make up the atom. Elements, and isotopes. Forces that bind the atomic particles together, and the atoms within a molecule.
The macroscopic world; forces that govern phenomena at these ranges.
The concept of entropy. Order and chaos in the Universe.
The planet Earth and the Solar System (main characteristics, components, types of forces.)
The Milky Way Galaxy, clusters of galaxies, the Universe at large.
Time’s arrow, and the look-back time concept.
The daily cycle, the seasonal cycle, the Moon’s phases and the month.
Solar and lunar eclipses (causes, main characteristics.)
The Big Bang Theory (evidences, main ideas)
The origin of life, and its evolution (mile stone events)
Principles/methods used for describing the geological eras and the basic tectonic plate theory
The roots of modern science; Copernican revolution
Atoms, molecules, phases of matter
The chemical division of matter
Chemical notations, chemical formulas
The atomic theory; the law of conservation of mass, and the law of definite proportions
GENERAL STRATEGIES FOR STUDYING
Don't miss class. Listening to lectures and participating in discussions is much more effective than reading someone else's notes. Active participation will help you retain what your are learning.
Budget your time effectively. An hour or two each day is more effective, and far less painful, than studying all night before exams.
If a concept gives you trouble, do additional reading beyond what has been assigned. And if you still have trouble, ask for help: you surely can find friends, colleagues, or teachers who will be glad to help you learn.
Working together with friends can be valuable in helping you to solve difficult problems. However, be sure that you learn with your friends and do not become dependent on them.
When studying your text: Don't highlight -- underline! Using a pen or pencil to underline material requires greater care than highlighting, and therefore helps to keep you alert as you study.
PREPARING FOR EXAMINATIONS
Study your notes from lectures and discussions. Pay attention to what your instructor expects you top know for an examination.
Reread the relevant sections in the textbook, paying special attention to notes you have made in the margins.
Study individually before joining a study group with friends. Study groups are effective only if every individual comes prepared to contribute.
Don't stay up too late the night before the examination. Don't eat a big meal within an hour of the examination (thinking is more difficult when blood is being diverted to the digestive system).
Try to relax before and during the examination. If
you have studied effectively, you are capable of doing well. Staying relaxed
will help you think clearly.