π¬ Science Study Notes
Phenomena first β understand what's happening, and the formula makes sense
Science isn't a list of facts to memorize. Newton's second law (F = ma), the conservation of energy, natural selection β each one is a pattern observed in nature. Start with the phenomenon, build the model, then apply the formula.
π New here? Start in this order
What You'll Learn
- Physics: Newton's Laws, energy, waves, electricity, magnetism
- Chemistry: Atomic structure, periodic table, chemical reactions, acids and bases
- Biology: Cell biology, genetics, evolution, ecosystems, body systems
- Earth Science: Plate tectonics, rock cycle, atmosphere, weather, solar system
π Subject Areas
Physics
Forces, Newton's laws, energy conservation, waves, electricity and magnetism
Inertia β no force means constant speed, friction is what stops youChemistry
Atomic structure, periodic table, chemical bonding, reactions, acids and bases
Chemistry = rearranging atoms β mass is always conservedBiology
Cell structure, photosynthesis, genetics, DNA, natural selection, ecosystems
ATP = energy currency of cells β powers all life processesEarth Science
Plate tectonics, rock cycle, atmosphere, weather patterns, the solar system
4 interacting spheres: geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphereEnergy
Kinetic & potential energy, conservation laws, thermodynamics, and renewable energy
Energy is never consumed β only converted to heat, light, or motionAtoms & Molecules
Atomic structure, element symbols, ions, and chemical formulas
Atom = miniature solar system β 99.9999 percent empty spaceCell Biology
Cell structure, organelles, animal vs. plant cells, mitosis and meiosis
Cell = mini city β nucleus is city hall, mitochondria is power plantEcosystems
Food chains, energy flow (10% rule), nutrient cycles, and biodiversity
90 percent energy loss per level β why the food pyramid has that shapeπ― Science Study Tips
- Understand concepts before formulas. Memorizing F = ma without understanding force and acceleration leads to errors.
- Always write units. Check that your units cancel correctly β dimensional analysis prevents calculation mistakes.
- Draw diagrams. Free-body diagrams, circuit diagrams, and cell diagrams make abstract concepts concrete.
- Connect concepts across disciplines. Energy conservation appears in physics, chemistry (thermodynamics), and biology (metabolism).
- Practice with real data. Science is empirical β work through data analysis and graph interpretation problems.
π The Four Branches of Science
| Branch | Studies | Key Concepts |
|---|---|---|
| β‘ Physics | Matter, energy, forces, motion | Newton's Laws, conservation of energy, Ohm's Law |
| βοΈ Chemistry | Matter, atoms, chemical change | Periodic table, bonding, reaction types, pH |
| 𧬠Biology | Living organisms, life processes | Cell theory, genetics, evolution, ecosystems |
| π Earth Science | Earth, atmosphere, solar system | Plate tectonics, rock cycle, weather, astronomy |
Exam Tip: On science tests, show all work β even for multiple choice. Writing out your reasoning helps you catch mistakes and may earn partial credit on free-response questions.