10. Science

SCIENCE AND SCIENTIFIC METHODS

Scientists search for facts about the world around them and try to find logical explanations for their observations. The work of scientists, for whom discovery and explanation are an end in themselves, is called pure science. Pure science is the search for a better understanding of our physical and natural world for its own sake. Pure scientists do not care about finding a use for their discoveries. Science also has a practical side, called applied science. Applied science, or technology, is the practical application of scientific discoveries. The technology created by applied scientists has made possible the current state of our civilization. As a result of the development of technology, many people today live easier and longer. But it also created a lot of problems. These problems are side effects of useful technologies. The goal of scientists is to achieve only useful results from their work.

The way a scientist solves a problem is called the scientific method, and certain solution steps are common to all sciences.

These steps are:

1. Problem statement: Often a problem can be formulated in the form of a question. 2. Collecting observations: A person investigating a scientific problem begins by setting up experiments - carefully designed plans that allow researchers to make observations and collect facts that shed light on the problem.

3. Search for scientific laws: A scientific law establishes a connection between observed facts.

4. Hypothesizing: The scientist tries to figure out why things obey the observed law, often the scientist makes an educated guess about the reasons for this law.