This textbook is written to introduce physics and science concepts to students in non-technical majors. Science literacy is stressed through emphasis on the scientific method, language, philosophy, and fundamental issues. Societal issues are also addressed. Mathematical rigor and problem solving are not stressed.

After using the material, Instructors are encouraged to send comments, criticism, suggestions, and questions to the authors at mdennin@uic.edu.

• Download SciApp-Revised08-ContentsEtc1.pdf - 61kb Adobe PDF Document

Released under a © John White and Michael Dennin. Materials are free for download and non-commercial use. Materials can not be modified without the consent of the author. Instructors may charge for the costs of photocopying materials for students.

Published January 1, 2008
Last Modified March 10, 2010

This file is included in the full-text index.
This file has previous versions.

This chapter introduces the methods, philosophy, and history of science. It also covers the requirements that science be as precise as possible in its use of numbers and language.

• Download SciApp-Revised08-Ch1.pdf - 820kb Adobe PDF Document

Released under a © John White and Michael Dennin. Materials are free for download and non-commercial use. Materials can not be modified without the consent of the author.

Published January 1, 2008
Last Modified February 24, 2016

This file is included in the full-text index.
This file has previous versions.

This chapter covers the concepts of using numbers to describe physical measurements and theories. The concepts of accuracy, precision, and uncertainty are covered. The use of equations and graphs to study physical reality is described, along with the properties of common functions.

• Download SciApp-Revised08-Ch2.pdf - 2791kb Adobe PDF Document

Released under a © John White and Michael Dennin. Materials are free for download and non-commercial use. Materials can not be modified without the consent of the author.

Published January 1, 2008
Last Modified February 24, 2016

This file is included in the full-text index.
This file has previous versions.

This chapter describes in some depth the methods, history, and culture of science. Some emphasis is placed on the social and community aspects of scientific advancement. Contrasts are drawn with non-science disciplines and pseudo-science.

• Download SciApp-Revised08-Ch3.pdf - 7422kb Adobe PDF Document

Released under a © John White and Michael Dennin. Materials are free for download and non-commercial use. Materials can not be modified without the consent of the author.

Published January 1, 2008
Last Modified February 24, 2016

This file is included in the full-text index.
This file has previous versions.

This chapter covers the results of classical mechanics. Topics include pre-Newtonian physics, Newton's laws, Energy, Momentum, and Rotational Motion. This chapter also outlines the impact the study of mechanics has had on both science and society.

• Download SciApp-Revised08-Ch4.pdf - 4397kb Adobe PDF Document

Released under a © John White and Michael Dennin. Materials are free for download and non-commercial use. Materials can not be modified without the consent of the author.

Published January 1, 2008
Last Modified February 24, 2016

This file is included in the full-text index.
This file has previous versions.

This chapter covers a range of topics in physics, chemistry, biology, and earth sciences. Topics include theory of atoms, electricity and magnetism, thermal physics, quantum mechanics, relativity, nuclear physics, and biological systems. Connections between the topics and sciences are highlighted.

• Download SciApp-Revised08-Ch5.pdf - 4006kb Adobe PDF Document

Released under a © John White and Michael Dennin. Materials are free for download and non-commercial use. Materials can not be modified without the consent of the author.

Published January 1, 2008
Last Modified February 24, 2016

This file is included in the full-text index.
This file has previous versions.

This chapter addresses a wide range of issues of the relationships between science and society. The connections between science and religion and the humanities, both historical and current, is covered. The costs and benefits of science for society are explored including the impacts of science and technology on health and the environment. The political issues related to science are also considered.

• Download SciApp-Revised08-Ch6.pdf - 2285kb Adobe PDF Document

Released under a © John White and Michael Dennin. Materials are free for download and non-commercial use. Materials can not be modified without the consent of the author.

Published January 1, 2008
Last Modified February 24, 2016

This file is included in the full-text index.
This file has previous versions.

This chapters gives a few more details about the language of mathematics. The goal is to help the student read and understand the basic content of the equations used to describe science.

• Download SciApp-Revised08-Ch7.pdf - 381kb Adobe PDF Document

Released under a © John White and Michael Dennin. Materials are free for download and non-commercial use. Materials can not be modified without the consent of the author.

Published January 1, 2008
Last Modified February 24, 2016

This file has previous versions.

This chapter looks again the the physical concepts studied previously and refines the view of these topics. The models will be made more precise and new questions will be considered. This will provide a more realistic view of science and engineering as activities that are always evolving.

• Download SciApp-Revised08-Ch8.pdf - 149kb Adobe PDF Document

Released under a © John White and Michael Dennin. Materials are free for download and non-commercial use. Materials can not be modified without the consent of the author.

Published January 1, 2008
Last Modified February 24, 2016

This file has previous versions.

The Appendix contains answers and explanations of questions selected from the chapters.

• Download SciApp-Revised08-App.pdf - 117kb Adobe PDF Document

Released under a © John White and Michael Dennin. Materials are free for download and non-commercial use. Materials can not be modified without the consent of the author.

Published January 1, 2008
Last Modified February 24, 2016

This file is included in the full-text index.
This file has previous versions.