📘 Chapter 9: Nature of Science – Short Answer Questions
Prepared by Muhammad Tayyab, Subject Specialist Physics, Govt Christian High School Daska. Based on PECTAA 2026 syllabus (National Curriculum 2023).
📖 What's Inside: This section covers short answer questions from Chapter 9 Nature of Science including Science, Physics and its branches, Space, Time, Time dilation, Interdisciplinary fields, Scientific method, Observation, Experiment, Theory, Prediction, Law, Falsifiability, Technology, Engineering and Technologies based on Physics. Each question is presented with a detailed answer as per the official PECTAA 2026 Physics curriculum.
📚 Related Resources – Chapter 9: Nature of Science
📑 Quick Jump to Questions
📖 Short Answer Questions & Answers (PECTAA 2026)
1 State in your own words, what is science? Write its two main groups.
Answer:
Science is a collective knowledge about the natural phenomena, processes, and events occurring around us.
Science is divided into two main branches:
(i) Biological Science: The biological sciences which deals the living things.
(ii) Physical Science: The physical science which is about the study of non-living things.
✅ Science = knowledge of nature | Two branches: Biological and Physical Science
2 What is Physics all about? Name some of its branches.
Answer:
Physics: Physics is the fundamental science that deals with the constituents of the universe, that is, matter, energy, space, time and their mutual relationships and interactions.
Branches of Physics: Some branches of Physics are Mechanics, Heat and Thermodynamics, Acoustics, Optics, Electromagnetism, Quantum Mechanics, Nuclear Physics, Astronomy, Relativistic Mechanics, Particle Physics, Cosmology and Solid State Physics.
✅ Physics = study of matter, energy, space, time | Branches: Mechanics, Optics, Quantum, Nuclear, Astronomy, etc.
3 What is meant by space?
Answer:
Space is the three-dimensional extent in which all objects and events occur. It provides the framework to define positions and motions of various objects under some force.
✅ Space = 3D extent where objects and events occur
4 What is time?
Answer:
The time measures the sequence and durations of events. It is considered fourth dimension.
✅ Time = measures sequence & duration | 4th dimension
5 What is time dilation?
Answer:
Time dilation is a phenomenon discussed by special theory of relativity where time passes slowly for an observer moving at ultra-high speed compared to one relatively at rest.
✅ Time passes slowly at ultra-high speed — Special Theory of Relativity
6 What are the main branches of Physics and their definitions?
Answer:
1. Mechanics: It is a study of motion and the physical effects which influence motion. It is based on Newton's laws of motion and gravitation and is often called classical mechanics.
2. Heat and Thermodynamics: It deal with the thermal energy possessed by the materials and it is used when it flows from one body to another.
3. Acoustics: It deals with the nature and physical aspects of audible sound energy.
4. Optics: It deal with the physical aspects of visible light.
5. Electromagnetism: It is the study of electromagnetic phenomenon and mutual relationship between electric current and magnetic field.
6. Quantum Mechanics: It explains the behavior of particles at the atomic and subatomic level.
7. Relativistic Mechanics: It explains how space and time are not absolute quantities but related to observer. It describes the relationship between them and how they are influenced by gravity and speed.
8. Nuclear Physics: It is the study of the properties of nuclei of the atoms.
9. Particle Physics: It is the study of subatomic particles and elementary particles which are basic building blocks of matter.
10. Astronomy: It is study of distribution of celestial bodies like planets, stars and galaxies.
11. Cosmology: It explores the large structure and evolution of the universe.
12. Solid State Physics: It is the study of some specific properties of matter in solid form.
✅ 12 branches with definitions
7 What is meant by interdisciplinary nature of Physics?
Answer:
It refers to the integration and interaction of Physics with various other fields of study. Physics provides essential principles, techniques and methods that are applicable across a wide range of disciplines.
✅ Integration of Physics with other fields of study
8 What is Biophysics?
Answer:
Some biological systems and processes are described using the principles and technique of physics under this field of Study.
For example, the mechanics of biological structures, physical properties of cells, tissues and organs.
✅ Physics applied to biological systems
9 What is Medical Physics?
Answer:
It applies physical principles to develop techniques and technologies for health diagnosis and treatment.
✅ Physical principles for health diagnosis & treatment
10 What is Astrophysics?
Answer:
It deals with the physical properties and processes of celestial bodies and phenomena.
For example, the interaction between matter and energy in space to understand the universe as a whole.
✅ Physical study of celestial bodies and phenomena
11 What is Geophysics?
Answer:
It applies physical principle to the study of internal structure of the Earth, its magnetic and gravitational fields, seismic activity (earthquake), volcanoes, etc.
✅ Physics applied to Earth's structure, fields, earthquakes, volcanoes
12 What is Climate Physics?
Answer:
It includes the study of physical processes in the environment, including atmospheric dynamics, climate change and weather conditions.
✅ Physical processes in the environment — atmosphere, climate, weather
13 What is Computational Physics?
Answer:
It is about the use of computational techniques and methods to solve complex physical problems.
✅ Computational techniques to solve complex physics problems
14 Why is interdisciplinary research important?
Answer:
Collaboration and interdisciplinary nature of science is essential for addressing the complex issues and challenges of today.
By working together and sharing knowledge, scientists can achieve more significant breakthroughs and contribute to a deeper understanding of the natural and physical world around us.
✅ Essential for complex issues & breakthroughs
15 Why is interdisciplinary research needed?
Answer:
(i) Solution of complex issues requires multifaceted expertise.
(ii) Interdisciplinary approaches foster innovation.
(iii) Rapid sharing of knowledge and information across the globe.
✅ (i) multifaceted expertise (ii) foster innovation (iii) rapid knowledge sharing
16 Define scientific method.
Answer:
Scientific method is a systematic approach used to search for truth of an issue and problem solving regarding natural and physical world.
✅ Systematic approach for truth and problem solving
17 What are the main steps of scientific method?
Answer:
The main steps are:
- Identify or recognize an issue or problem.
- Gather information through observations.
- Propose an explanation or guess work known as hypothesis.
- Perform experiment or collect evidences.
- Record, organize and analyze data to reach a conclusion called a theory.
- Repeated tests of the theory lead towards the formulation of a law.
✅ 6 steps: Identify problem → Observe → Hypothesize → Experiment → Theory → Law
18 What is observation?
Answer:
Observation is the first step in scientific method. It involves making observations of natural processes and collecting data about them, either through ordinary observations or results from different experiments.
✅ First step — observing nature & collecting data
19 What is an experiment?
Answer:
Experiment is an organized repeatable process which is used to test the truth of a hypothesis.
✅ Organized repeatable process to test hypothesis
20 What is a theory?
Answer:
After the successful verification of an assumption and with the help of careful experimentation, it becomes a theory and is applicable to similar phenomena. It is a logical explanation of the causes and effects of an issue or an event that occurs in nature.
✅ Logical explanation verified through experiments
21 What is prediction?
Answer:
After the careful analysis of a theory, we can make predictions about certain unknown aspects of nature. Experiments are designed to test the theory over and over again.
✅ After theory — predictions about unknown aspects
22 What is a scientific law?
Answer:
When a theory has been tested many times and generally accepted as true, it is called a law.
✅ Widely tested and accepted true statement
23 What is falsifiability?
Answer:
Falsifiability is a concept which suggests that a theory is considered scientific if it makes predictions that can be tested and potentially proven false.
✅ Scientific theory must be testable & possibly proven false
24 Why is falsifiability important?
Answer:
The requirement of falsifiability ensures that theories are not based on vague, non-specific or untestable claims. It distinguishes scientific theories from false or pretended beliefs that cannot be experimentally tested.
✅ Distinguishes science from untestable beliefs
25 What happens if test results do not agree with a prediction?
Answer:
If test results do not agree, the hypothesis is changed or rejected.
✅ Hypothesis is changed or rejected
26 What is technology?
Answer:
Technology refers to the methods and techniques developed by using scientific knowledge. It may be a machine technology or a software programme of information technology.
✅ Methods/techniques developed from scientific knowledge
27 What is engineering?
Answer:
Engineering is the process of applying various technologies and scientific principles to design various instruments, tools and build things that help to meet specific needs in every walk of life.
✅ Application of technologies & science to design and build
28 Give examples of technologies based on Physics.
Answer:
Examples include:
Automobile technology — based on principles of thermodynamics.
Radar technology — based on detection and reflection principles of electromagnetic waves.
Laser technology — based on principles of atomic physics.
✅ Automobile (thermodynamics) | Radar (EM waves) | Laser (atomic physics)
29 What factors do engineers consider when designing products?
Answer:
Engineers also consider factors like cost effectiveness and safety measures when designing various products.
✅ Cost effectiveness & safety measures
📐 Key Concepts – Nature of Science (Short Questions)
Science: Collective knowledge of natural phenomena
Physics: Study of matter, energy, space, time and their interactions
Scientific Method: Observation → Hypothesis → Experiment → Theory → Law
Falsifiability: Scientific theory must be testable & possibly wrong
Technology: Methods/techniques developed from science
Engineering: Application of technology & science to design and build
💡 Exam Tip:
For short answer questions, write concise and accurate answers. Use definitions, examples and key terms. These questions test your understanding of fundamental concepts like science, physics branches, space, time, time dilation, interdisciplinary fields, scientific method, hypothesis, theory, law, falsifiability, technology and engineering. These questions follow the PECTAA 2026 pattern and are prepared by Subject Specialist Muhammad Tayyab.
Chapter 1Physical Quantities and Measurements
Chapter 2Kinematics
Chapter 3Dynamics
Chapter 4Turning Effect of Forces
Chapter 5Work and Energy
Chapter 6Mechanical Properties of Matter
Chapter 7Thermal Properties of Matter
Chapter 8Magnetism
Chapter 9✨ Nature of Science
📖 Complete syllabus coverage for Class 9 Physics (PECTAA 2026) – Chapters 1 to 9
Created by Hira Science Academy | Aligned with PECTAA 2026 Syllabus