They can be classified into organoleptic, physical and chemical properties. The properties that allow to establish the different types of matter, to differentiate one from the other or identify each individually, they are correlated to the type of substance that composes matter. The quantity of matter in a body, property that can be determined from the inertial property of matter. The natural tendency of matter to maintain its state of movement or rest, resistance that matter offers to the change of motion. Two or more bodies can not simultaneously occupy the same place in space. The matter is not susceptible to complete destruction, matter can neither be created nor destroyed, only transformed. The ability to occupy a place in the space, also indicates, as physical quantity, the amount of matter present in a body. The matter can be divided into smaller portions. DiscontinuityĪt the microscopic level, matter has empty spaces between its particles. ElasticityĪfter compression, the matter is capable of resuming its volume in whole or in part. The ability of matter to have its volume reduced, decreasing the void space between its particles when subjected to pressure. For example: mass, extension, impenetrability, elasticity, compressibility, divisibility, indestructibility, discontinuity and inertia. The general properties are those common to all kinds of matter. Two or more grouped substances, exhibit variation in the melting and boiling temperature and different density of the pure substances that compose it, that is, its composition and properties are variable. When matter has a characteristic chemical composition and a defined set of properties, whose melting and boiling occur at a constant temperature, given a pressure and density characteristic at a certain temperature and pressure. Limited portion of a body, the matter worked by and with certain use for the human being. Matter analyzed under the aspect of quality, “… with total abstraction of form, dimension and mass …”. The matter analyzed under the aspect of quantity, limited amount of matter. Matter is everything that occupies space, has mass and can be perceived, directly or indirectly, by the human senses, which can assume the solid, liquid and gaseous states. Without further ado, let’s go to the presentation of the stars of this text, matter and energy.
In this way, I will leave for an upcoming text an explanation about the scientific method. At another time, also under the Philosophy of Science and Metaphysics topics, a discussion about materialist monism can to elucidate the reasons for this delimitation of the investigated objects.
In this text, the focus will be the “basic” understanding of the objects of study that are fundamental to all scientific knowledge, matter and energy. Both aspects have particular characteristics in each field of scientific investigation, however, it is possible to establish a common basis for all scientific areas in relation to both aspects. In general, the development of a scientific approach involves the understanding of two contexts or aspects that, together, underlie scientific investigation, methodological (how to do science) and the object of study (what is investigated by science). In a way, to present an approach inspired by the work carried out by the professors that participated of GREF, that is, an initiation to scientific understanding as simple as possible, without entering into technical or formalist details. Introduce elements that help to recognize when in fact a statement, argument or theory is presented from a scientific perspective. The purpose of this text is to answer the question of the title, offering an introductory perspective to science. In another time, under the topics of Philosophy of Science and Metaphysics, I will approach the nuances and difficulties involved in the concept of science.
The term ‘Science’, using an ostensive definition, indicates, here, areas of knowledge such as physics, chemistry, biology, geology, astronomy, etc., areas in which Nature (experiment and observation) always has the last word. Therefore, it is not intended to be a definitive guide. This text offers only one of many ways of knowing the scientific world and the incredible richness and beauty of how it is possible to understand reality through science. The title question – Science, where to begin? – can be answered in several ways.