1.

6 Scope of Physical Science

Learning Objectives
• Define physical science.

• Define chemistry and physics.

• Discuss ways people depend on physical science.

What Is Physical Science?

Physical science is the study of matter and energy. That covers a lot of territory because matter refers to
all the “stuff” that exists in the universe. It includes everything you can see and many things that you
cannot see, including the air around you. Energy is also universal. It’s what gives matter the ability to
move and change. Electricity, heat, and light are some of the forms that energy can take.

Chemistry and Physics

Physical science, in turn, can be divided into chemistry and physics. Chemistry is the study of matter and
energy at the scale of atoms and molecules. For example, the synthetic fibers in the swimmer’s suit were
created in labs by chemists. Physics is the study of matter and energy at all scales—from the tiniest
particles of matter to the entire universe. Knowledge of several important physics concepts—such as
motion and forces—contributed to the design of the swimmer’s suit.

Q: It’s not just athletes that depend on physical science. We all do. What might be some ways that
physical science influences our lives?

A: We depend on physical science for just about everything that makes modern life possible. You
couldn’t turn on a light, make a phone call, or use a computer without centuries of discoveries in
chemistry and physics.

Summary

• Physical science is the study of matter and energy. It includes chemistry and physics.

• We depend on centuries of discoveries in physical science for just about everything we do.

1.7 Scope of Chemistry

Learning Objectives
• Define chemistry.

• Give examples of chemistry in everyday life.

What Is Chemistry?
Chemistry is the study of matter and energy and how they interact, mainly at the level of atoms and
molecules. Basic concepts in chemistry include chemicals, which are specific types of matter, and
chemical reactions. In a chemical reaction, atoms or molecules of certain types of matter combine
chemically to form other types of matter. All chemical reactions involve energy.

Q: How do you think chemistry explains why the copper on the Statue of Liberty is green instead of
brownish red?

A: The copper has become tarnished. The tarnish—also called patina—is a compound called copper
carbonate, which is green. Copper carbonate forms when copper undergoes a chemical reaction with
carbon dioxide in moist air. The green patina that forms on copper actually preserves the underlying
metal. That’s why it’s not removed from the statue. Some people also think that the patina looks
attractive.

Chemistry and You

Chemistry can help you understand the world around you. Everything you touch, taste, or smell is made
of chemicals, and chemical reactions underlie many common changes. For example, chemistry explains
how food cooks, why laundry detergent cleans your clothes, and why antacid tablets relieve an upset
stomach. Other examples are illustrated in the Figure. Chemistry even explains you! Your body is made
of chemicals, and chemical changes constantly take place within it.

FIGURE 1.8 Each of these pictures represents a way that chemicals and chemical reactions affect our lives.

Summary
• Chemistry is the study of matter and energy and how they interact, mainly at the level of atoms and
molecules. Basic concepts in chemistry include chemicals and chemical reactions.

• Chemistry can help you understand the world around you. Everything you touch, taste, or smell is a
chemical, and chemical reactions underlie many common changes.

1.8 Scope of Physics

Learning Objectives
• Identify the scope of physics.

• Describe ways that physics explains the world around you.

Did you ever look at your reflection in a funhouse mirror? That’s what the person in this picture is doing.
This type of mirror distorts your features in silly ways. Do you know how a mirror like this one works?
Physics, which is a branch of physical science, can explain it.

The Scope of Physics

Physics is the study of energy, matter, and their interactions. It’s a very broad field because it is
concerned with matter and energy at all levels—from the most fundamental particles of matter to the
entire universe. Some people would even argue that physics is the study of everything! Important
concepts in physics include motion, forces such as magnetism and gravity, and forms of energy such as
light, sound, and electrical energy.
Q: How do you think physics explains the distorted images formed by a funhouse mirror?

A: Physics explains how energy interacts with matter. In this case, for example, physics explains how
visible light reflects from mirrors to form images. Most mirrors, such as bathroom mirrors, have a flat
surface. Light reflected from a flat mirror forms an image that looks the same as the object in front of it.
Funhouse mirrors, like the one pictured above, are different. They have a curved surface that reflects light
at different angles. This explains why the images they form are distorted.

Physics in the World Around You Physics can help you understand just about everything in the world
around you. That’s because everything around you consists of matter and energy. Several examples of
matter and energy interacting are pictured in the Figure. Read how physics explains each example.

FIGURE 1.9 Examples of how matter and energy interact

Q: Based on the examples in Figure, what might be other examples of energy and matter interacting?

A: Like the strings of cello, anything that vibrates produces waves of energy that travel through matter.
For example, when you throw a pebble into a pond, waves of energy travel from the pebble through the
water in all directions. Like an incandescent light bulb, anything that glows consists of matter that
produces light energy. For example, fireflies use chemicals to produce light energy. Like a moving tennis
racket, anything that moves has energy because it is moving, including your eyes as they read this
sentence.

Summary

• Physics is the study of energy, matter, and their interactions. It is concerned with matter and energy at
all levels—from the most fundamental particles of matter to the entire universe.
• Physics can help you understand just about everything in the world around you. That’s because
everything around you is matter and has energy

1.9 Physical Science Careers

Learning Objectives
• Identify and describe several physical science careers.

Studying Physical Science

Physical science is the study of matter and energy. It includes the sciences of chemistry and physics. Most
careers in physical science require a 4-year college degree in one of these fields. Some careers require
more advanced education as well. For example, an astronaut might have a master’s degree or even a
doctoral degree.

Q: Besides becoming an astronaut, a degree in physical science can prepare you for many other careers.
What careers do you think might be available to people with degrees in physical science?

A: People with degrees in physical science might become pharmacists, forensic technicians, or research
scientists, to name just three possible careers. Four additional careers in physical science are described
below.

Careers in Chemistry and Physics

Training in the physical science field of chemistry or physics is needed for the careers described in the
Figure 1.10. Do any of these careers interest you?
 FIGURE 1.10 These careers in chemistry and physics vary in the level of education they require.

Summary

• Physical science includes the fields of chemistry and physics. Most careers in physical science require a
minimum of 4 years of college in one of these fields.

• Examples of careers in physical science include pharmacist, laboratory supervisor, teacher, and
surveyor.

1.10 Nature of Technology

Learning Objectives
• Define technology.

• Outline how technology evolves.

The odd-looking boat in this picture was made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. That’s unusual
enough, but how the boat was made is even more unusual. Would you believe that it was created by a
printer? Of course, it wasn’t a printer like the one you might have on your desk to print school papers. It
was a special 3-D printer. This type of printer forms an object, layer by layer, by spraying a fine powder
of plastic or metal instead of toner. It sprays the powder in a pattern directed by a computer program. A
laser beam melts the powder, which then hardens

What Is Technology?

Printers like the one that made the plastic bicycle are a new type of technology. Technology is the
application of science to solve problems. Because technology finds solutions to practical problems, new
technologies may have major impacts on society, science, and industry. For example, some people
predict that 3-D printing will revolutionize manufacturing.

Q: Making products with 3-D printers has several advantages over making them with machines in
factories. What do you think some of the advantages might be?

A: Making products with 3-D printers would allow anyone anywhere to make just about anything,
provided they have the printer, powder, and computer program. Suppose, for example, that you live in a
remote location and need a new part for your car. The solution? Just download the design on your
computer and print the part on your 3-D printer.

Manufacturing would no longer require specially designed machines in factories that produce pollution.
Another advantage of using 3-D printers to make products is that no materials are wasted. This would
lower manufacturing costs as well as save natural resources.

How Technology Evolves New technologies such as 3-D printers often evolve slowly as new materials,
designs, or processes are invented. Solar-powered cars are a good example. For several decades,
researchers have been working on developing practical solar-powered cars. Why? Cars powered by
sunlight have at least two important advantages over gas-powered cars. The energy they use is free and
available almost everywhere, and they produce no pollution. The timeline in Table shows some of the
milestones in the evolution of solar-powered cars.

TABLE 1.1: Evolution of Solar-Powered Cars

1954: First modern solar cell

The first modern solar cell was invented in 1954 by a team of researchers at Bell Labs in the U.S. It could
convert light energy to enough electricity to power devices.

1955: First solar car

In 1955, William G. Cobb of General Motors demonstrated his 15-inch-long “Sunmobile,” the world’s
first solar-powered automobile. Its tiny electric motor was powered by 12 solar cells on top of the car

1983: First practical solar car

In 1983, the first drivable solar car was created by Hans Tholstrup, a Danish inventor who was influenced
by the earlier Sunmobile. Called the “Quiet Achiever,” Tholstrup’s car was driven 4000 km across
Australia. However, its average speed was only 23 km/h, despite having more than 700 solar cells on its
top panel.

1987: First World Solar Challenge

Inspired by his success with the Quiet Achiever, in 1987 Tholstrup launched the first World Solar
Challenge. This was the world’s first solar car race. The race is now held every other year. In that first
race, the winner was General Motors’ “Sunraycer,” shown here. It had an average speed of 67 km/h. Its
aerodynamic shape helped it achieve that speed.

2008: First Commercial solar car

In 2008, the first commercial solar car was introduced. Called the Venturi Astrolab, it has a top speed of
120 km/h. To go this fast while using very little energy, it is built of ultra-light materials. Its oversized
body protects the driver in case of collision and provides a lot of surface area for solar cells.

Q: Why was the invention of the solar cell important to the evolution of solar car technology?

A: The solar car could not exist without the solar cell. This invention provided a way to convert light
energy to electricity that could be used to run a device such as a car.

Q: The 1955 “Sunmobile” was just a model car. It was too small for people to drive. Why was it an
important achievement in the evolution of solar car technology?
A: The car wasn’t practical, but it was a working solar car. It showed people that solar car technology is
possible. It spurred others, including Hans Tholstrup, to work on solar cars that people could actually
drive.

Q: How have the World Solar Challenge races influenced the development of solar cars?

A: The races have drawn a lot of attention to solar car development. The challenge of winning a race has
also stimulated developers to keep improving the performance of solar cars so they can go faster and
farther on solar power alone.

Summary

• Technology is the application of science to solve practical problems.

• Technology evolves as new materials, designs, and processes are invented.