UPCAT General Science (Extended) — Scientific Method & MeasurementSlides
Visual slide deck for Scientific Method & Measurement. Perfect for reviewers who prefer seeing concepts laid out with diagrams and bullet points rather than long paragraphs. Built specifically for UPCAT General Science (Extended) aspirants preparing for the 2026 cycle.
Exam context
For the University of the Philippines College Admission Test, University of the Philippines tests General Science (Extended) under a "Extended coverage for UP Science programs" label, with Scientific Method & Measurement in the 1st slot across 6 chapters. UPCAT candidates must clear the UPG ≤ 2.2 typical cut on the 2026 paper, which draws about 20 General Science (Extended) questions. Date to watch: Mid-2026 (announced by UP Admissions).
Scientific Method & Measurement - Slides
This chapter explores the fundamental principles of scientific inquiry and measurement systems. Students will learn the systematic approach scientists use to investigate natural phenomena and understand the importance of accurate measurement in scientific research. The content covers the scientific method steps, variables in experiments, SI units, metric conversions, and various physical quantities essential for scientific analysis.
Slides
Scientific Method & Measurement
Science is a systematic way of understanding the natural world through observation, experimentation, and measurement. This chapter will teach you how scientists investigate questions and measure phenomena accurately.
Notes
Introduction slide to set context and expectations for the chapter
Topic
Chapter Introduction
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mermaid
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mindmap root((Scientific Method & Measurement)) Scientific Method Observation Hypothesis Experimentation Analysis Measurement SI Units Metric System Conversions Accuracy Applications Laboratory Work Daily Life Technology Research
Type
mermaid_mindmap
Description
Overview of the main topics covered in the chapter, showing the relationship between scientific method and measurement
What is Science?
Science is characterized as a body of knowledge that encompasses fundamental truths and universal laws. It's not just facts, but a systematic way of understanding how the world works through careful observation and testing.
Notes
Define science clearly to establish foundation understanding
Topic
Definition of Science
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The Scientific Method - Overview
The scientific method is a logical, step-by-step process that scientists use to explore observations and answer questions. It ensures that scientific investigations are fair, accurate, and can be repeated by others.
Notes
Overview of scientific method steps before detailed explanation
Topic
Scientific Method Overview
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mermaid
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flowchart TD A[fa:fa-eye Observation] --> B[fa:fa-question Question] B --> C[fa:fa-search Research] C --> D[fa:fa-lightbulb Hypothesis] D --> E[fa:fa-flask Experiment] E --> F[fa:fa-chart-bar Analysis] F --> G[fa:fa-check Conclusion] G --> H[fa:fa-share Communication]
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mermaid_flowchart
Description
Step-by-step flow of the scientific method showing the logical progression from observation to communication
Step 1: Ask a Question
All scientific investigations begin with a question. Good scientific questions are specific, testable, and based on observations of the natural world. The question guides the entire investigation.
Notes
First step of scientific method - emphasize importance of good questions
Topic
Asking Scientific Questions
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S4
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4
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Step 2: Conduct Background Research
Before conducting experiments, scientists research what is already known about their topic. This prevents repeating work and helps design better experiments based on existing knowledge.
Notes
Importance of research before experimentation
Topic
Background Research
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flowchart LR A[fa:fa-book Books] --> D[Background Knowledge] B[fa:fa-globe Internet] --> D C[fa:fa-file-text Journals] --> D D --> E[fa:fa-lightbulb Better Hypothesis]
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mermaid_flowchart
Description
Sources of background research that contribute to building knowledge for hypothesis formation
Step 3: Formulate a Hypothesis
A hypothesis is an educated guess or tentative explanation based on observations and background research. It must be written in a way that can be tested through experiments and should predict what will happen.
Notes
Key characteristics of a good hypothesis
Topic
Hypothesis Formation
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mermaid
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6
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flowchart TD A[Observation] --> B[Background Research] B --> C[fa:fa-lightbulb Hypothesis] C --> D{Testable?} D -->|Yes| E[Proceed to Experiment] D -->|No| F[Revise Hypothesis] F --> C
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mermaid_flowchart
Description
Process of forming a hypothesis from observation and research, with feedback loop for revision
Step 4: Test the Hypothesis - Controlled Experiments
Testing involves conducting controlled experiments where scientists carefully control conditions to test their hypothesis. Only one factor should be changed at a time while keeping everything else the same.
Notes
Emphasis on controlled conditions and repeatability
Topic
Controlled Experiments
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S7
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7
Mermaid Diagram
Code
flowchart TD A[Hypothesis] --> B[Design Experiment] B --> C[Control Variables] C --> D[Change One Factor] D --> E[fa:fa-flask Conduct Test] E --> F[fa:fa-repeat Repeat Trials] F --> G[Collect Data]
Type
mermaid_flowchart
Description
Process of designing and conducting controlled experiments to test hypotheses
Variables in Experiments
Understanding variables is crucial for designing good experiments. The independent variable is what you change, the dependent variable is what you measure, and controlled variables are everything you keep the same.
Notes
Clear distinction between variable types with examples
Topic
Experimental Variables
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S8
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8
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flowchart LR A[Independent Variable What YOU change] --> B[fa:fa-flask Experiment] B --> C[Dependent Variable What you MEASURE] D[Controlled Variables What stays SAME] --> B
Type
mermaid_flowchart
Description
Relationship between different types of variables in experimental design
Step 5: Analyze Data and Draw Conclusions
After collecting data from experiments, scientists analyze it to see if their hypothesis was supported or rejected. This analysis leads to conclusions about the natural phenomenon being studied.
Notes
Importance of objective analysis and accepting unexpected results
Topic
Data Analysis
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S9
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9
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flowchart TD A[fa:fa-chart-bar Collect Data] --> B[Analyze Results] B --> C{Supports Hypothesis?} C -->|Yes| D[Accept Hypothesis] C -->|No| E[Reject Hypothesis] D --> F[fa:fa-lightbulb Further Research] E --> G[fa:fa-refresh New Hypothesis]
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mermaid_flowchart
Description
Process of data analysis and decision-making based on experimental results
Laws vs Theories
Scientific laws and theories are different. A law describes what consistently happens in nature, while a theory explains why it happens. Both are important and well-established in science.
Notes
Clear distinction between laws and theories to prevent misconceptions
Topic
Scientific Laws and Theories
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S10
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10
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Step 6: Communicate Results
The final step is communicating results to other scientists and the public. This allows the scientific community to review, verify, and build upon the research, advancing our collective understanding.
Notes
Importance of sharing knowledge for scientific progress
Topic
Scientific Communication
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mermaid
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11
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flowchart LR A[Research Results] --> B[fa:fa-file-text Write Report] B --> C[fa:fa-share Publish/Present] C --> D[fa:fa-users Scientific Community] D --> E[fa:fa-repeat Peer Review] E --> F[fa:fa-plus Knowledge Growth]
Type
mermaid_flowchart
Description
Process of communicating scientific results and contributing to scientific knowledge
International System (SI) of Measurement
The International System of Units (SI) is the modern metric system used by scientists worldwide. It provides a standard way to measure and communicate about physical quantities, ensuring consistency in scientific work.
Notes
Foundation for all scientific measurements
Topic
SI Units
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mindmap root((SI Base Units)) Length Meter m Mass Kilogram kg Time Second s Current Ampere A Temperature Kelvin K Amount Mole mol Intensity Candela cd
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mermaid_mindmap
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Overview of the seven SI base units and their symbols
SI Base Units Table
These seven base units form the foundation of all scientific measurements. All other units are derived from combinations of these base units.
Notes
Detailed explanation of each base unit and its purpose
Topic
Base Units Details
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Metric Prefixes
Metric prefixes are added to base units to express very large or very small quantities conveniently. Each prefix represents a specific power of 10, making conversions straightforward.
Notes
Focus on commonly used prefixes for practical applications
Topic
Metric Prefixes
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S14
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14
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flowchart TD A[Larger Units] --> B[kilo k 10³] B --> C[hecto h 10²] C --> D[deca da 10¹] D --> E[BASE UNIT] E --> F[deci d 10⁻¹] F --> G[centi c 10⁻²] G --> H[milli m 10⁻³] H --> I[Smaller Units]
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mermaid_flowchart
Description
Common metric prefixes arranged from larger to smaller units with their powers of 10
Volume Measurement
Volume can be measured in different ways depending on the object. Regular shapes use mathematical formulas, irregular objects use water displacement, and liquids are measured directly in graduated containers.
Notes
Three main approaches to volume measurement
Topic
Volume Measurement
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S15
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mermaid
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15
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flowchart TD A[Volume Measurement] --> B[Regular Solids] A --> C[Irregular Solids] A --> D[Liquids] B --> E[Use Formulas] C --> F[Displacement Method] D --> G[Direct Reading]
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mermaid_flowchart
Description
Different methods for measuring volume based on the type of object
Displacement Method for Volume
When an object is submerged in water, it displaces a volume of water equal to its own volume. This principle allows us to measure the volume of irregular objects that can't be calculated with simple formulas.
Notes
Practical method for measuring irregular object volumes
Topic
Displacement Method
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S16
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mermaid
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Mermaid Diagram
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sequenceDiagram participant W as Water in Container participant O as Object W->>W: Record initial water level O->>W: Object submerged W->>W: Record new water level W->>O: Volume = Level change
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mermaid_sequence
Description
Step-by-step process of using displacement method to measure volume
Temperature Scales and Conversions
Temperature can be measured in different scales. Celsius is commonly used in science and daily life, Fahrenheit in some countries for weather, and Kelvin is the SI unit used in scientific calculations.
Notes
Essential conversions for scientific calculations
Topic
Temperature Scales
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S17
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17
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flowchart LR A[Celsius °C] -->|× 9/5 + 32| B[Fahrenheit °F] B -->|− 32 × 5/9| A A -->|+ 273| C[Kelvin K] C -->|− 273| A
Type
mermaid_flowchart
Description
Temperature conversion relationships between Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin scales
Mass vs Weight
Mass and weight are often confused but are different quantities. Mass is the amount of matter and doesn't change, while weight depends on gravitational force and can vary with location.
Notes
Important distinction often confused by students
Topic
Mass vs Weight
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S18
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mermaid
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18
Mermaid Diagram
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flowchart TD A[Object] --> B[Mass kg] A --> C[Weight N] B --> D[Amount of Matter] B --> E[Constant Everywhere] C --> F[Gravitational Force] C --> G[Changes with Location] H[Weight = Mass × Gravity] --> C
Type
mermaid_flowchart
Description
Comparison between mass and weight showing their different properties and relationship
Density
Density describes how much mass is packed into a given volume. It's an important property that determines whether objects will float or sink in fluids and helps identify materials.
Notes
Practical applications of density in everyday life
Topic
Density
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S19
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mermaid
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19
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flowchart TD A[fa:fa-calculator Density Formula] --> B[D = Mass / Volume] C[Object Density] --> D{Compare to Water} D -->|< 1 g/cm³| E[fa:fa-arrow-up Floats] D -->|> 1 g/cm³| F[fa:fa-arrow-down Sinks] D -->|= 1 g/cm³| G[Neutral Buoyancy]
Type
mermaid_flowchart
Description
Density formula and its application to predict floating or sinking behavior
Force and Its Measurement
Force is the interaction between objects that can cause acceleration. It's measured in Newtons and calculated by multiplying mass (kg) by acceleration (m/s²). Understanding force is fundamental to physics.
Notes
Foundation concept for understanding interactions in physics
Topic
Force Measurement
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S20
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20
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Four Fundamental Forces
All interactions in the universe can be explained by four fundamental forces. These forces operate at different scales from subatomic particles to cosmic structures.
Notes
Fundamental forces explain all interactions in nature
Topic
Fundamental Forces
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S21
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mermaid
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21
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mindmap root((Fundamental Forces)) Gravitational All masses Infinite range Weakest Electromagnetic Charged particles Infinite range Strong Strong Nuclear Quarks and gluons Short range Strongest Weak Nuclear Particle decay Very short range Weak
Type
mermaid_mindmap
Description
Overview of the four fundamental forces and their key characteristics
Work in Physics
In physics, work has a specific meaning. Work is only done when a force causes an object to move in the direction of that force. If there's no movement, no work is done regardless of the force applied.
Notes
Important distinction between everyday and physics definition of work
Topic
Work in Physics
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S22
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mermaid
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22
Mermaid Diagram
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flowchart TD A[Applied Force] --> B{Object Moves?} B -->|Yes| C[Work = F × d] B -->|No| D[No Work Done] C --> E[Energy Transferred] D --> F[Energy Stored]
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mermaid_flowchart
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Decision tree showing when work is done in physics
Key Takeaways
The scientific method and proper measurement form the foundation of all scientific work. These tools allow scientists worldwide to communicate effectively and build reliable knowledge about the natural world.
Notes
Summary slide connecting all major chapter concepts
Topic
Chapter Summary
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mindmap root((Scientific Foundation)) Method Systematic Process Repeatable Results Peer Review Measurement SI Units Accuracy Precision Applications Research Technology Daily Life
Type
mermaid_mindmap
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Summary of key concepts linking scientific method and measurement to practical applications
References
- BRAINBOX UPCAT AND OTHER COLLEGE ENTRANCE — Science Proficiency.pdf
- CET 2026 COMPREHENSIVE LECTURE NOTES — Science.pdf
- International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) - SI Units
- National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) - Measurement Standards
In summary
This chapter has established the fundamental principles of scientific investigation and measurement that form the basis of all scientific work. Students have learned the systematic approach of the scientific method, from asking questions through communicating results, and understand the importance of controlled experiments with proper variable identification. The measurement section covered the SI system, metric conversions, and various physical quantities essential for scientific analysis. These concepts are not just academic exercises but practical tools used daily in research, technology, and problem-solving. Mastery of these fundamentals prepares students for advanced scientific studies and helps develop critical thinking skills applicable beyond science classes.
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