1. Method to the Madness
What are the four steps of the scientific method? What are some common mistakes made when applying the scientific method? Under what circumstances does the scientific method not apply? How can you use the scientific method in your own life?

Consider This Before Answering the Questions
The scientific method described in the text states the importance of testing and verifying every hypothesis-every hypothesis must undergo rigorous testing, and often modification, retesting, or possibly rejection and replacement by new predictions. To understand this in more depth and to answer the above questions, link to http://teacher.nsrl.rochester.edu/phy_labs/AppendixE/AppendixE.html for the article on the Scientific Method.



After You Answer the Questions
You should have been able to

• describe the four steps of the scientific method
• discuss the common mistakes that are made when applying the scientific method
• consider the circumstances in which the scientific method does not apply. For example, what time do I need to get up to catch the shuttle to Phoenix? So-and-so is a really nice person and I enjoy her company, so should I suggest we have lunch sometime?

The basic issue is that we don't need to go through the whole scientific method for the simple things-required courses, following instructions for writing papers or taking exams, and so on.

2. The Measurement of Time
How fast is the new optical clock? What is the basis of atomic clocks? How does the NIST compact atomic clock differ? What effect might atomic clocks have on your life?

Consider This Before Answering the Questions
When you read in Chapter 1 that time is a quantifiable substance that is relevant to physical science, did that surprises you?

• Visit the web site for the National Institute of Standards and Technology at http://www.boulder.nist.gov/timefreq/index.html. First, read about the new optical clock and find out how fast it is.
• Now scroll down to the bottom of that home page http://www.boulder.nist.gov/timefreq/index.html and link on the second research project, Optical Frequency Measurements Group http://www.boulder.nist.gov/timefreq/ofm/index.html,
• then link to the first project, Compact atomic clocks http://www.boulder.nist.gov/timefreq/ofm/smallclock/index.htm

After You Answer the Questions
Now, go to the Exhibits link at
http://www.boulder.nist.gov/timefreq/general/exhibits.html. Explore the exhibits there relating to time and frequency, thinking about how what you learn there relates to what you read in Chapter 1. Consider what you found out and how it relates to what you read in your text and how that in turn applies to your own life.