Lesson 7-9
Read the statement and indicate which step of the scientific method is being used. "Ok. Let's mix these two chemicals together to see what happens."
Experimentation
True or false. Theories are absolute and never change.
False
Read the statement and indicate which step of the scientific method is being used. "If watching TV makes one weigh more, then I will lose weight if I stop watching TV."
Hypothesis
Which are examples of scientific laws?
Laws of Thermodynamics, Law of Conservation of Mass-Energy, Law of Gravity, Newton's Law
Ima is curious about which brand of running shoe makes her run faster. She gets three different brands of running shoes and decides to time herself running one lap around the track with each pair. What two things could be done to improve this experiment?
She could repeat the experiment more times. She should have more people in the experiment.
Ima is curious about which brand of running shoe makes her run faster. She gets three different brands of running shoes and decides to time herself running one lap around the track with each pair. How is Ima going to conduct her experiment?
She gets three different brands of running shoes and decides to time herself running one lap around the track with each pair.
Ima is curious about which brand of running shoe makes her run faster. She gets three different brands of running shoes and decides to time herself running one lap around the track with each pair. What is her dependent variable?
Time to complete a lap
True or false. Laws are absolute and never change.
True
Ima is curious about which brand of running shoe makes her run faster. She gets three different brands of running shoes and decides to time herself running one lap around the track with each pair. What is the question being answered?
What is the effect of shoe brand on running speed?
scientific law
a factual statement that describes an action, or set of actions, in precise terms
control group
a group that matches the experimental group in all aspects, except that the independent variable does not change
peer-reviewed journal
a journal of scientific publications, where every research article has been reviewed by other scientists who deemed the research as credible and of good quality
scientific method
a series of steps scientists use to find out more about the world in which we live
controlled variable
a variable that does not change during an experiment
dependent variable
a variable that is changed by, or because of, the independent variable
independent variable
a variable that is purposefully changed in an experiment
A theory is what one or more __________ become once they have been tested repeatedly and found to be true.
hyptheses
Many scientific laws are written as single ___________.
mathematical equations
In which ways do scientists share their findings
peer-reviewed journals, conferences, technology
"That concludes my presentations on the effects of bacteria in treating sewage." This is an example of scientists ____________ their results.
sharing
What is a hypothesis?
the steps to be used in solving the problem, the problem to be solved, an educated guess, the solution to a problem
Why is it important to get as much data as possible?
- More data will allow you to get a more accurate picture for the conclusion - More data will protect against errors.
Why is repetition important in a science experiment?
- Repeating the experiment protects you against some of the mistakes that may have occurred during the first experiment. - Repeating the experiment gives us an average, which is a more accurate picture of what is occurring.
Ima is curious about which brand of running shoe makes her run faster. She gets three different brands of running shoes and decides to time herself running one lap around the track with each pair. What is(are) some extraneous variables?
- Tiring out - An unexpected track meet - Bad weather
What is a scientific law?
- absolute truth, simple and can be applied in all situations - a factual statement that describes an action, or set of actions, in precise terms
What is a theory?
- is accepted as true by most scientists but they can change - an explanation of a natural or physical phenomenon based on a hypothesis that has been found to be true and has been verified many times by different groups of scientists
Ima is curious about which brand of running shoe makes her run faster. She gets three different brands of running shoes and decides to time herself running one lap around the track with each pair. What is(are) her controlled variables?
- the different shoes she has - the place she runs - the distance she runs
Ima is curious about which brand of running shoe makes her run faster. She gets three different brands of running shoes and decides to time herself running one lap around the track with each pair. What is her independent variable?
Brand of shoes
Read the statement and indicate which step of the scientific method is being used. "Wow. This pond is so much slimier than my neighbor's pond. I wonder why that is?
Observation
What are the steps of the scientific method in order?
Observation Problem Question Hypothesis Experimentation Analyze data and draw conclusion Report
hypothesis
an educated guess
theory
an explanation of a natural or physical phenomenon based on a hypothesis that has been found to be true and has been verified many times by different groups of scientists
extraneous variable
an uncontrolled variable that could interfere with an experiment
"My graph shows that dolphins communicate better with a female trainer." This is an example of scientists ____________ their results.
analyzing
What is a good way to write a problem question?
using cause and effect as a stem or root of the question
What happens when you analyze data?
you examine the results, determine whether your hypothesis is true or false, discuss the results