This text is designed for use in a first year high school science course and is an attempt to put basic physical science concepts into a logical order. This organization involves an historical approach, beginning with four chapters on astronomy: Modern Astronomy, The Ancient Astronomers, Astronomy - Ptolemy to Kepler, and Galileo and Newton. The concepts of electricity and magnetism are presented in the next two chapters in preparation for the final two chapters on atomic theory. Located in the back of the text are 24 laboratory investigations intended to give the student opportunities to investigate the same questions that concerned the early scientists. (PR)