Books

RedLectern topic

Science

Explore scientific inquiry and introductory routes through physics, chemistry and biology.

For: Learners at different starting points, including curious beginners and those returning to science.

After this page you can: Choose a learning path and use evidence to explain a basic scientific question.

Page reviewed

About Science

Science is a systematic way of developing and revising explanations about the natural world through observation, measurement, testing and communication. The questions researchers ask shape how they investigate: a study might involve experiments, observations, mathematical descriptions or comparisons, and reporting results lets others examine how conclusions were reached. Chemistry learning objectives, for example, include observation, hypotheses, experiments and conclusions as parts of scientific inquiry.

The sciences include fields that focus on different aspects of nature: physics studies physical laws and topics such as motion, energy and waves; chemistry studies matter’s composition, properties and transformations; biology studies living organisms and their interactions with one another and their environments. You can begin with the broad inquiry section, then follow the branch that matches your curiosity or current studies. If you are returning to science, use the discipline sections to refresh a concept; if you have a specific question, use its section’s first resource and exercise as a short starting point. You do not need to cover every branch before choosing a route.

Start here

route

I’m new to science

Start with an open introductory physics text, which begins with physics and scientific processes and is available free online.

Start with: Physics

route

I’m refreshing chemistry

Review matter, its properties and transformations in this introductory chemistry chapter, which also lists learning objectives for interpreting chemical equations.

Start with: What is chemistry?

route

I want to study life

Use this open biology chapter for an entry point to cells, living things and the scientific process.

Start with: Biology the Study of Life

Learn the foundations

1.Build a foundation in scientific inquiryUse this section to practice asking a focused question, identifying evidence and explaining how an investigation could address it.

Use this section to practice asking a focused question, identifying evidence and explaining how an investigation could address it.

  • What is chemistry?

    Its learning objectives name observation, hypothesis, experiment and conclusion among scientific-method topics.

Try it

A paper towel brand claims it absorbs more water than another. Name one measurable observation and one question an investigation could answer.

Observation: the volume of water absorbed by each towel under the same procedure. Question: does one brand absorb more water than the other under those conditions?

2.Explore physicsUse this section to begin with motion, then follow your interest toward forces, energy, waves, light or electricity.

Use this section to begin with motion, then follow your interest toward forces, energy, waves, light or electricity.

Motion

A change in position described relative to a reference frame.

Reference frame

A viewpoint or coordinate system used to describe position and motion.

Try it

A book slides across a desk. Describe its motion relative to the desk and name a reference frame.

The book changes position relative to the desk; the desk provides the reference frame.

3.Explore chemistryUse this section to connect what you can observe in a material with explanations about its composition and changes.

Use this section to connect what you can observe in a material with explanations about its composition and changes.

Matter

Anything that has mass and occupies space.

Physical property

A characteristic that can be observed or measured without changing a sample’s composition.

Try it

Ice melts into liquid water. Name one observable change and say whether the example describes a physical or chemical process.

The sample changes from a solid to a liquid. This example describes a physical process because the water’s composition is unchanged.

4.Explore biologyUse this section to connect questions about living things with the levels of organization and topics that interest you.

Use this section to connect questions about living things with the levels of organization and topics that interest you.

  • What is Life?

    This introductory page describes biology as the study of organisms and their interactions with one another and their environments.

Biology

The study of living organisms and their interactions with one another and their environments.

Cell

The fundamental unit of life.

Try it

Choose a plant, animal or microorganism. Write one question about its interactions with its surroundings.

Example: How does the amount of light reaching a plant relate to the direction in which its stem grows?

Explore subtopics

Physics

Introduce physics through mechanics, thermal physics, waves, electromagnetism, and a route into quantum mechanics.

1 subtopicsChemistry

Core chemical ideas, from atoms and reactions to organic compounds and biochemistry.

2 subtopicsBiology

Foundational biology: scientific inquiry, cells, heredity, evolution, anatomy, and ecology.

1 subtopics

Latest

No recent updates are available.

See the sources list

Books

Glossary

Every free Science course and book on RedLectern

Free Science online courses

  1. Advanced Analytic Methods in Science and EngineeringMIT 18.305 · Browse materials
  2. Advanced Workshop in Writing for Science and Engineering (ELS)MIT 21G.225 · Browse materials
  3. American Science: Ethical Conflicts and Political ChoicesMIT STS.011 · Browse materials
  4. Art, Craft, ScienceMIT 21A.501J · Browse materials
  5. Art, Craft, ScienceMIT 21A.501J · Browse materials
  6. Black Feminist Health Science StudiesMIT WGS.S10 · Browse materials
  7. Classical Mechanics IIMIT 8.223 · Browse materials
  8. Cold War ScienceMIT STS.436 · Browse materials
Show all 40 listed coursesShow fewer courses
  1. Computational Cognitive ScienceMIT 9.52-C · Browse materials
  2. Computational Cognitive ScienceMIT 9.66J · Browse materials
  3. Computational Methods of Scientific ProgrammingMIT 12.010 · Browse materials
  4. Computational Methods of Scientific ProgrammingMIT 12.010 · Browse materials
  5. Computational Science and Engineering IMIT 18.085 · Browse materials · Video
  6. Computational Science and Engineering IMIT 18.085 · Browse materials
  7. DV Lab: Documenting Science Through Video and New MediaMIT 21A.550J · Browse materials · Video
  8. Environmental Earth ScienceMIT 12.102 · Browse materials
  9. Feeling and Imagination in Art, Science, and TechnologyMIT 24.262 · Browse materials · Video
  10. Gender, Race, and the Complexities of Science and Technology: A Problem-Based Learning ExperimentMIT WGS.693 · Browse materials
  11. Global Climate Change: Economics, Science, and PolicyMIT 15.023J · Browse materials
  12. Global Warming ScienceMIT 12.340 · Browse materials
  13. Great Ideas in Theoretical Computer ScienceMIT 6.080 · Browse materials
  14. History of ScienceMIT STS.310 · Browse materials
  15. History of Women in Science and EngineeringMIT WGS.S10 · Browse materials
  16. Innovation Systems for Science, Technology, Energy, Manufacturing, and HealthMIT STS.081 · Browse materials · Video
  17. Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data ScienceMIT 6.0002 · Browse materials · Video
  18. Introduction to Computer Science and Programming in PythonMIT 6.0001 · Browse materials · Video
  19. Introduction to Electrical Engineering and Computer Science IMIT 6.01SC · Browse materials · Video
  20. Laboratory in Cognitive ScienceMIT 9.63 · Browse materials
  21. Learning from the Past: Drama, Science, PerformanceMIT 21L.016 · Browse materials
  22. Magic, Science, and ReligionMIT 21A.520 · Browse materials
  23. Making Science and Engineering Pictures: A Practical Guide to Presenting Your WorkMIT RES.10-001 · Browse materials · Video
  24. Mathematics for Computer ScienceMIT 6.042J · Browse materials · Video
  25. Mathematics for Computer ScienceMIT 6.1200J · Browse materials · Video
  26. Neutron Science and Reactor PhysicsMIT 22.05 · Browse materials
  27. Philosophical Issues in Brain ScienceMIT 24.08J · Browse materials · Video
  28. Political Science LaboratoryMIT 17.871 · Browse materials
  29. Political Science Scope and MethodsMIT 17.801 · Browse materials
  30. Principles and Practice of Science CommunicationMIT STS.014 · Browse materials
  31. Principles of Chemical ScienceMIT 5.111 · Browse materials · Video
  32. Principles of Chemical ScienceMIT 5.111SC · Browse materials · Video

40 of 117 shown. Search the Catalog for Science →

How these courses are chosen

Listed as Science courses:

  • those whose title contains “Science” or “scientific”, or
  • those tagged “Science” or “scientific” as one of at most 2 topic tags, or as the first of 3.

Free Science textbooks and books

Show all 60 listed booksShow fewer books

Search all 236 Science books on the Books page →

Questions and comments