If you’ve ever had a science question that seemed too embarrassing to ask out loud, you’re in luck. We here at Hello SciCom firmly believe that there’s no such thing as stupid questions, only SEO-boosting keywords. So with that in mind, let’s dive in.
OK. We said there were no stupid questions. How to spell science: S-C-I-E-N-C-E. If you’re on this page, you nailed it.
Natural science is the disciplined study of the natural world, where researchers strive to understand everything from the tiniest particles to the vastness of the cosmos. It's the realm where nature's laws and principles are uncovered, often with the help of microscopes, telescopes, and a hefty dose of curiosity. Whether it’s physics, chemistry, biology, or earth sciences, natural science is all about deciphering the universe's grand script written in the language of mathematics and empirical evidence.
Applied science is where theory meets practicality. It's the branch of science that takes the principles and discoveries from natural science and uses them to solve real-world problems. Think of it as the hands-on, can-do sibling of pure science, focused on developing new technologies, improving existing systems, and making tangible impacts on everyday life. Whether it’s engineering, medicine, or environmental science, applied science is all about putting knowledge to work for human benefit.
Life science is the ambitious field that tries to understand every living thing, from the bacteria in your gut to the elephants on the savannah. It's all about studying organisms, their biology, genetics, and ecosystems, so we can figure out why some plants thrive while your houseplants mysteriously die, and why some people are morning larks while others are night owls. Basically, life science is the endless quest to decode the mysteries of life itself.
Take a wild guess. It is the science of… food.
A journal article is a formal piece of writing that researchers use to share their latest findings with the world. It's the academic equivalent of shouting "Eureka!" but with a lot more footnotes and a rigorous peer review process. These articles are published in scholarly journals and are packed with data, methodologies, results, and references, making them the cornerstone of scientific communication. It's where cutting-edge ideas meet the scrutiny of the academic community, often wrapped up in some very dense, technical, borderline unreadable prose. Not ours though. The ones we’ve helped write are really really really good.
Here’s how to determine if an article is peer-reviewed: Start by checking the journal's website for its submission and review process. You can also use academic databases like PubMed or Google Scholar, which often have filters for peer-reviewed journal articles. Look for clues in the article itself, such as mentions of a review process or an editorial board of experts. And if you have an institutional login, Ulrich’s Periodicals Directory has been in print since 1932, and your library probably has the online version.
Constants are the conditions that will remain the same (or “constant”) throughout your experiment. It's like the background scenery in a play that never changes, no matter what drama unfolds on stage.
A control is the straight-laced, no-nonsense benchmark of your experiment. It's the group that doesn't get the special treatment, standing stoically in the back of the room, ensuring your experiment doesn’t spiral into chaos. Think of it as the unappreciated hero that makes sure your results actually mean something, while all the fancy variables steal the spotlight.
A variable is the unpredictable element in your experiment, the wildcard that adds a bit of excitement. It’s the factor that can change, offering endless possibilities for how your experiment might turn out. Variables are what keep scientists on their toes, never letting things get too boring.
An independent variable is the puppet master of your experiment. It's the one factor you get to manipulate, pulling the strings and calling the shots while everything else dances to its tune. Adjust it, tweak it, and watch the rest of your experiment respond accordingly.
A dependent variable is the loyal sidekick of your experiment. It's the one that reacts to the changes made by the independent variable, faithfully showing the effects of those manipulations. Its whole purpose is to provide the measurable outcomes, letting you see how the independent variable's influence plays out.
Physics is a branch of science that uses the language of mathematics to describe and predict the natural laws governing the universe. Whether it's explaining why apples fall from trees or how black holes work, physics blends theoretical equations with experimental evidence, making it the love child of math and science. Is physics science or math? It’s both.
It’s complicated.
Heavens, no.
Donating your body to science involves a few straightforward, though somewhat morbid, steps. First, research medical schools or institutions that accept donations, complete their registration forms, and ensure all legal documents are signed. Inform your family of your decision and provide them with the necessary contact information for the institution. Upon your death, your family should promptly notify the institution to arrange for the donation. And that’s how to donate your body to science!
So this last one is kind of a stupid question, but here goes nothing. Science isn't content with just one color; it's the entire spectrum. It's the white of lab coats, the green of thriving plants in a botany lab, the red of a dissected heart in biology, and the black of the vast unknown in space. Science is the vibrant blue of oceanographic studies, the yellow glow of a Bunsen burner flame, and the rainbow hues of a chemical reaction. It's a kaleidoscope, reflecting the diversity and complexity of the natural world.
