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The Physical World
The Physical World
The Physical World
Module 1
Introduction
Where do we come from? What are we made of? How did life on earth start? These are some
of the questions regarding our existence that science has been pondering for centuries.
Ancient people tried to answer these questions by formulating theories that could explain our
existence. With the advancement of mathematics, science, and technology, these theories
have been tested through scientific discoveries and experiments. Science 10 introduces you to
these widely accepted theories regarding the origin of the universe and life here on earth,
from the fields of physics, chemistry, and geology. It should be noted, however, that these
validated theories may still not be the absolute answers to questions regarding our existence
as science continues to advance and currently accepted theories are tested further.
In this module, we begin the course by defining the physical world and finding out how it is
being studied by physics, chemistry, and geology. We will also discuss the importance of
studying and understanding our physical world.
Learning Outcomes
After studying the module, you should be able to:
1. Define the physical world or explain what is meant the term ‘physical world’ refers to;
2. Describe how it is studied in physics, chemistry, and geology; and
3. Explain why it is important to study and understand the physical world.
Write a poem or a short paragraph from the perspective of a COVID 19 virus- how does it see
soap? You cannot see the virus nor can you see soap yet you know well what’s happening (or
do you?). If you believe, why do you believe? If you don’t, what will make you believe? How
do you relate this to the definition of reality? Your answers to Activities 1 and 2 will be
emailed to the Instructor (cfbagarinao@up.edu.ph).
In classical science, the physical world was considered real (it exists) to the extent that it
could be perceived through the senses. This is based on the philosophical concept of realism.
Thus, based on this definition, all of the things that we can see with the naked eye are part of
the physical world. This definition of the physical world, however, excludes things that are
invisible or that cannot be seen by the naked eye.
Basically, the physical world refers to the inanimate objects in the universe. The
components of the physical world range from elementary particles to light and heavy
elements, stars, galaxies, and planetary systems; from molecules to supramolecules; and
from the earth to its spheres — geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.
Based on the readings, how can one study the physical world? How can fields of Physics,
Chemistry and Geology be studied?
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The physical world can be classified using temporal and spatial scales. The temporal scale
presents the chronological order of the formation of the components of the physical world.
This can be best presented with the cosmic calendar, which gives us an idea of the time
intervals within which these physical components of the universe were created (see Figure 1).
NOTE: The labels in the picture are too small. Please visit the site in order to see a better
resolution of the picture.
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On the other hand, the spatial scale classifies components of the physical world
according to its dimensions — i.e. from the submicroscopic scale to the
cosmological scale. This type of classification also provides information about
which field of science studies a corresponding component of the physical world (see
Table 1) and how these fields are interconnected. As shown in Table 1, Physics
deals with the elementary particles, atomic nucleus, atoms, stars, galaxies, and the
known part of the universe; Chemistry deals with the elements, compounds, and
supramolecules (or aggregates); and Geology deals with the earth and its spheres.
Table 1. The structure of the physical world in terms of its spatial scale (adapted from Ford,
2016)
Special Associated Branch
Object Size
of Science
All three fields of science make use of probes in studying the physical world. These probes
are in the form of theories and technologies. A number of theories have been formulated to
explain and develop a better understanding of our physical world. These theories are tested
through scientific discoveries and experiments which can either reject or support them.
Formulating a theory and doing an experiment are part of what we know as the scientific
method. Recall that the scientific method, which provides a logical and systematic way of
doing scientific investigations, includes the following:
1. Gathering facts
6. Formulating a theory
The sequence of these steps in the scientific method may be modified in accordance with the
goals or objectives of scientific investigations. Moreover, it should be noted that all fields of
science, whether applied, natural, or social, use the scientific method to probe natural and
social phenomena, which results in scientific progress.
For a further discussion of how we study the physical world, refer to the following learning
resources:
• Powers of Ten Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fKBhvDjuy0
• From the Big Bang to the End of the Universe: The Mysteries of Deep Space
Timeline - https://www.pbs.org/deepspace/timeline/
• The Big Bang - https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/10128
• Chapter 3 - The Nature of Scientific Theory in Briefer History of Time by Stephen
Hawking (https://brieferhistoryoftime.com/chapters/3)
• Chapter 9 - The Origin of the Universe in Black Holes and Baby Universes and Other
Essays by Stephen Hawking (1994)
• Chapter 1 Section 1 - Prospect of the Subject to be Treated in Theory of the Earth by
James Hutton (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/12861/12861-h/12861-h.htm)
Focus Group Discussion: (1 hour) Assign a moderator and rapporteur in your FGD. Discuss
the different points raised. If there are negative attitudes towards science, what can be done to
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SCIENCE 10: PROBING THE PHYSICAL WORLD
change these attitudes? Write a summary of your discussion and post this in the discussion
forum in the LMS.
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The advancement of science and technology have brought drastic changes to how we live in,
think about, and relate to our physical world. Our current living conditions and our way of
thinking and making decisions are influenced by scientific and technological advancements.
However, because of the lack of understanding of our physical world from the perspective of
science, there is a tendency to misuse technological advancements, resulting in effects that
are detrimental rather than beneficial to us.
The lack of understanding of our physical world may be traced to how science is being taught
in our schools. Science is usually presented in a dry and uninteresting manner, so much so
that we do not see its relevance to our daily lives. Science may be perceived by most of us as
just a subject full of equations that quantitatively define our physical world, without due
appreciation of its experimental and exploratory character. This creates a gap between the
theories and technologies for explaining and understanding our physical world on the one
hand and the physical world itself on the other hand, which in turn gives rise to many
misconceptions about the physical world.
There is a need to bridge this gap by “laymanizing” scientific ideas or theories without losing
their essence in explaining and understanding the physical world. This could spark the
interest of non-scientists in learning the science of the physical world. This spark could lead
to a desire to further explore and investigate the physical world and ultimately, our existence.
For further discussion of “laymanizing” scientific ideas and theories, refer to the following
resources:
• Delivering effective science communication: advice from a professional science
communicator -
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1084952117301933
• The Power of Science Communication -
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/ pii/S1877042814050010
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Activity 4 (1 hr)
Science’s quest for answers to existential questions has produced many technologies that we
are currently benefitting from.
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SCIENCE 10: PROBING THE PHYSICAL WORLD
1. Visit the NASA site at https://homeandcity.nasa.gov.
2. Explore and identify the technologies that we are currently using in our everyday lives.
3. Pick three of the technologies you identified that you most frequently use, and trace
their original uses in the scientific study of our physical world.
4. Let’s create a poll on which technology is the most frequently used.
If there is a particular technology you wish could be created in the future, please describe
this technology. Write your answers in the discussion forum in the LMS.
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Conclusion
The physical world includes the inanimate objects in the universe, which range in scale from
the submicroscopic to the cosmological. These include elementary particles, light and heavy
elements, stars, galaxies, and planetary systems; molecules and supramolecules and
aggregates; and the earth and its spheres — the geosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere.
Our knowledge of the physical world comes from the application of the scientific method in
physics, chemistry, and geology. This knowledge consists of various concepts, theories, and
models, a fuller understanding of which will enable us to better appreciate and relate to our
physical world.
Now that we have discussed the scope of the physical world, we should be ready to answer
the “existential” questions from the perspective of physics, chemistry, and geology, beginning
with the next module on the birth of our universe.
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Activity 5 (1 hr) Assessment
Map in the graph below the following components of the physical world according to
their appropriate temporal and spatial scales. Take a photo of your map and upload it in
the LMS.
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SCIENCE 10: PROBING THE PHYSICAL WORLD
Protostars Geosphere Light Elements Hydrosphere
Temporal Scale
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References
Hawking, S. & Mlodinow, L. (2010). The grand design. New York: Bantam Books.
Hawking, S. & Hawking, S. (1992). Stephen Hawking's A brief history of time: A reader's
Hawking, S. & Mlodinow, L. (2005). A briefer history of time. New York: Bantam Books.
Hawking, S. (1993). Black holes and baby universes and other essays. London: Bantam
Press.
Sagan, C. (1977). The dragons of Eden: Speculations on the evolution of human intelligence.
Supplemental Resources
Books
Feynman, R.P., Leighton, R.B., & Sands, M.L. (1963). The Feynman lectures on physics.
Hutton, J. (2010). Theory of the earth. New York: Classical Books International
Videos
Journal Articles
Jucan, M.S. & Jucan, C.N. (2014). The power of science communication. DOI: https://
doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2014.08.288
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