Science Section 1.2
How does a scientific law differ from a scientific theory?
A scientific law describes an observed pattern found in nature without explaining it. The theory is the explanation.
Why are scientific models useful?
They make it easier to understand things that might be hard to observe directly.
Hypothesis
a proposed answer to a question
Model
a representation of an object or event.
Scientific Law
a statement that summarizes a pattern found in nature.
Controlled Experiment
an experiment in which only one of the variables; the responding variable; is deliberately changed at a time.
Scientific method
an organized plan for gathering, organizing, and communicating information.
Repeatable Observations
facts
Observation
information you can obtain through your senses.
Manipulated variable
the variable that causes a change in another
Responding Variable
the variable that changes in response to the manipulated variable.
What is the goal of scientific methods?
to solve a problem or to better understand an observed event
Scientific theory
well tested explanation for a set of observations or experimental results.
