Scientific and Technological Literacy

Preface
Acknowledgments

Chapter 1: Introduction to Scientific and Technological Literacy
Goals
What Is Science Literacy?
“Live Long and Prosper”
Why Should We Study Science and Technology?
Science and Society
Science As a Way of Knowing: Technology As an Act of Doing
     Science
     Technology
What Is the Scientific Method?
How to “Live Long and Prosper”
Review Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
Bibliography and Web Resources
Links

Chapter 2: Pattern Recognition
Goals
Periodic Waveform Patterns
Mathematics
     Fourier Analysis
     The Spiral Spring
     The Falling Body
     The Fibonacci Sequence
     The Fibonacci Constant
     The Fibonacci Spiral
Music
Crystallography
DNA
     Pattern Recognition
     The Unabomber
     Periodic Table
     Epidemiology
     Evolution
     Differential Medical Diagnoses
Review Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
Bibliography and Web Resources
Cholera
Crystals
Links

Chapter 3: Problem Solving: Blocks and Strategies
Goals
Problem Solving
Problem-Solving Methods
Polya’s Method
Gap Model
Scientific Method
     What Is the Scientific Method?
Hypothesis Testing
Exponential Growth
     Paper Folding
Blocks to Problem Solving
Critical Thinking Skills
Exercises
     Answers to Exercise I
Review Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
     Answers to the Evian and Gecko Problem
Bibliography and Web Resources
     Controversial Theories
Links

Chapter 4: Models and Matter
Goals
Models
     Physical Models
     Graphical Models
     Mathematical Models
     Analog Models
     Verbal Models
Building Models
     Mouse Model
     Model of Matter
Units
Metric System
Density
Matter
Chemical Structures
Compounds
     Solutions
States of Matter
     Gases
     Liquids
     Solids
     Changes in State
Review Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
Bibliography and Web Resources
Links

Chapter 5: Models and the Atom
Goals
Rutherford’s Atomic Model
Photons
Light and Waves
Planck’s Theory
Emission Spectra
Bohr’s Atomic Model
The Atom
DNA
Mathematical Models
Review Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
Bibliography and Web Resources
Links

Chapter 6: Systems
Goals
Systems
Feedback
Systems Analysis
Equilibrium
     Hunting
     Tacoma Narrows Bridge
The Human Body
The Pacemaker
The Environment
Review Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
Exercises
Bibliography and Web Resources
Links

Chapter 7: Information and Coding
Goals
Codes
     Information
     Zip Code
     Pony Express
     Morse Code
     Typewriter
Binary Code
     Binary Numbering Systems
     Digital and Analog
DNA
Musical Coding
Language Coding
     Russian
     Navajo
     Smoke Signals
     Semaphores
Automation Technology
Retail Checkout Automation
     Advantages
     Other Advantages
     Customer Acceptance
     Technology Development
     Societal Impact
     Technology Components
Universal Product Code
     Reading the Code
QR Code
Reflections
Cryptology
     Ancient Codes
Information as a Resource
Artificial Intelligence
Review Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
Exercises
Bibliography and Web Resources
Readings
Links

Chapter 8: Information and Coding in Living Systems
Goals
The Living Cell
Information Coding in the Nervous System
Information Coding in DNA
Human Genome Project
Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms and the HapMap Project
Commercial Applications
Review Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
Bibliography and Web Resources
Links

Chapter 9: Energy
Goals
Standards and Units
Force
Energy
     Work
     Power
     Kinetic Energy
     Potential Energy
Energy Forms
Origins of Energy
First Law of Thermodynamics
     A Star Is Born
Energy Sources
     Energy Conversions and Efficiencies
Second Law of Thermodynamics
Loss of Opportunity
Boundary Conditions
     Barry Commoner’s View
Review Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
Bibliography and Web Resources
Links

Chapter 10: A Primer: Energy Sources: Their Nature and Use
Goals
Thermodynamics
Nuclear Energy
     Fission
     Fusion
Solar Energy
     Direct Radiation
     Hydropower
     Tidal Energy
     Wind Energy
     Biomass Energy
     Photovoltaics
Geothermal Energy
Fossil Fuels
     Coal
     Natural Gas and Petroleum
Review Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
Bibliography and Web Resources
     Brief Biography of Codiscoverer of Nuclear Fission
     Einstein Web Site
     Nuclear Reactor
     Nuclear Fusion
Links

Chapter 11: Energy Resources and Their Environmental Effects: (The Carbon Cycle and More)
Goals
Photovoltaics
Systems Approach
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Greenhouse Effect
Natural Gas
     Fossil Fuel and Auto Emissions
     Are Electric Vehicles the Perfect Solution?
     Coal
     Plastics
Review Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
Bibliography and Web Resources
Links

Chapter 12: Metabolism and Nutrition
Goals
Entropy
     Energy Extraction through Metabolic Breakdown
Nutrition
     Carbohydrates
     Fats
     Protein
     Vitamins
     Minerals
     Water
Calories
Nutritional Energy Balance
Weight Management
Review Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
Bibliography and Web Resources
Links

Chapter 13: Population and Growth
Goals
Population Growth
Exponential Growth
     Mathematical Review
     Exponential Growth and Doubling Time
     The Magical Formula
The Exponential Function and Population
     Limits to Growth
World3 Model
     Report to the Club of Rome (1972)
     Population
     Carrying Capacity Calculation
     Population Growth and Resources Impact
     Conclusions: The 1992 Report
Review Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
Bibliography and Web Resources
Links

Chapter 14: Medical Screening Tests
Goals
Medical Screening Tests
How Effective Are Medical Screening Tests?
Genetic Screening Technologies
COVID-19 Screening
Fetal Screening
     Amniocentesis
     Fetoscopy
Newborn Screening
Risk–Benefit Analysis in Genetic Screening
Exercises
Review Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
Bibliography and Web Resources
Links

Chapter 15: Technology and Risk
Goals
Technology and Risk
Chlorinating Water Supplies
Cooking Steaks
Irradiation of Food
Sources of Technological Risk
     Hardware Factors
     Human Factors
     Organizational Factors
     External Social Factors
Quantifying Risk
     The Association Coefficient
     Relative Risk
Performing Cost–Benefit and Risk–Benefit Analysis
Performing Quality-Adjusted Life Year Analysis
Controlling Risk
     Automobiles
     Cell Phone Regulation
Review Questions
Multiple Choice Questions
Essay Question
Bibliography and Web Resources
Links

Appendix A: Review of Basic Mathematics

Appendix B: Scientific Notation and Significant Figures

Appendix C: Functions

Appendix D: Laboratory Activities
Activity 1—Orientation
Activity 2—Floating and Sinking
Activity 3—The Small and the Large
Activity 4—Measuring Cell Size
Activity 5—Models and Modeling
Activity 6—Collecting Solar Energy
Activity 7—Energy Conversions
Activity 8—Problem Solving: Measuring Temperature with Only Limited Means
Activity 9—Patterns of Problem Solving
Activity 10—Solar Constant and the Earth’s Carrying Capacity
Activity 11—Electromagnetic Spectra
Activity 12—Measuring Your Metabolic Rate
Activity 13—Medical Screening Tests
Activity 14—Schneider Cardiovascular Test

Index