Scientific Method Vocab
Write the six steps of Scientific Method in CORRECT ORDER
Data Collection, Experiment, Reporting Findings, Hypothesis, Ask a Question, and Conclusion
1. Ask a Question
2. Hypothesis
3. Experiment
4. Data Collection
5. Conclusion
6. Report Findings
The two words that are commonly used in a hypothesis
If and Then
What are factors in an experiment that can change, be measured, or be kept the same?
Variables
A student wants to know if sunlight affects how quickly ice melts. Create an if-then hypothesis.
If ice is placed in sunlight, then it will melt faster.
A student tests whether the number of soap pumps affects the number of bubbles produced.
what are the Independent & Dependent Variables ?
Independent variable: Number of soap pumps
Dependent variable: Number of bubbles produced
A prediction about what we think will happen in the experiment
Hypothesis
True or False: A hypothesis must be testable.
True
What variables are kept the same to make an experiment fair?
Controlled
A student wants to know if warm water dissolves sugar faster than cold water. Create an if-then hypothesis.
If sugar is placed in warm water, then it will dissolve faster than sugar in cold water.
A student compares different brands of paper towels to see which absorbs the most water. They use one sheet from each brand.
What are the Independent, Dependent, & Controlled Variables
Independent variable: Brand of paper towel
Dependent variable: Amount of water absorbed
Controlled variable: Number of sheets used
What is a fair test used to test a hypothesis?
Experiment
Two tomato plants receive the same amount of water and sunlight. One plant receives fertilizer, while the other does not.
Create an if-then hypothesis about plant growth.
If a tomato plant receives fertilizer, then it will grow taller than a tomato plant that does not receive fertilizer.
What variable is measured or observed during the experiment?
A student wants to know if studying longer affects quiz scores. Create an if-then hypothesis.
If students study longer, then they will earn higher quiz scores.
A student tests whether screen brightness affects how long a tablet’s battery lasts. The same tablet and apps are used during every trial.
What are the Independent, Dependent, & Controlled Variables
Independent variable: Screen brightness
Dependent variable: Battery life
Controlled variables: Tablet and apps used
What is the process of recording measurements and observations?
Data Collection
A student wants to know whether water temperature affects how quickly sugar dissolves. They place sugar in one cup of hot water and one cup of cold water.
Create an if-then hypothesis.
If sugar is placed in hot water, then it will dissolve faster than sugar placed in cold water.
What variable is purposely changed by the scientist?
Independent
A student tests whether listening to music affects how many math problems students complete in five minutes. Create an if-then hypothesis.
If students listen to music, then they will complete more math problems in five minutes.
A student tests whether the material of a cup affects how long a drink stays cold. Each cup contains the same amount of the same drink.
What are the Independent, Dependent, & Controlled Variables
Independent variable: Cup material
Dependent variable: How long the drink stays cold
Controlled variables: Amount and type of drink
The two steps of Scientific Method where you Explains what happened in the experiment and whether the data supported the hypothesis and share your information to others.
Report Finding/Conclusion
A student wants to know whether listening to music affects test scores. One group studies with music, while another group studies in silence. Both groups study the same material for the same amount of time.
Create an if-then hypothesis.
If students study with music, then they will earn higher test scores than students who study in silence.
A student tests whether the type of paper affects how far a paper airplane flies. They make one airplane using printer paper and another using construction paper. Both airplanes have the same design and are thrown by the same person from the same starting line.
define the variables
A student wants to know whether the amount of laundry detergent affects how clean a stained cloth becomes. They wash identical stained cloths using different amounts of detergent. Each cloth is washed for the same amount of time and at the same water temperature. Create an if-then hypothesis.
If more laundry detergent is used, then the stained cloth will become cleaner.
A student tests whether the amount of air inside a basketball affects how high it bounces. The student drops the same basketball from the same height onto the same floor during every trial.
What are the Independent, Dependent, & Controlled Variables
Independent variable: Amount of air in the basketball
Dependent variable: Height of the bounce
Controlled variables: Same basketball, drop height, and floor surface