Santa's Scientific Method
The scientific method always begins with this step—using your senses to gather information.
What is making an observation?
The variable a scientist purposely changes in an experiment.
What is the independent variable?
The smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.
What is an atom?
Each box on the periodic table represents one of these pure substances.
What is an element?
A change in which matter keeps its identity—like melting ice.
What is a physical change?
Bonus 300 points: Sing Jingle Bells with your group.
A statement that can be tested through experimentation.
What is a hypothesis?
Bonus 400 points: Name all of Santa's reindeer
The variable that responds or is measured in an experiment.
What is the dependent variable?
Bonus 500 points: Name 5 Christmas movies in 20 seconds.
his particle in an atom has a positive charge.
What is a proton?
The horizontal rows on the periodic table are called this.
What are periods?
A change that creates a new substance—like burning wood.
What is a chemical change?
Bonus 100 points: Name an example of a chemical change.
The step where you look for patterns in your data to understand what it means.
What is analyzing results?
All variables that must remain unchanged to keep an experiment fair.
What are controlled variables (constants)?
Elements are arranged on the periodic table based on this number.
What is atomic number?
Elements in the same vertical column share similar properties and are called this.
What are groups (or families)?
Bubbling, color change, or a new odor may be evidence of this.
What is a chemical reaction?
Describe what should be included in the "procedure" step so another scientist can replicate your experiment.
A clear, numbered set of steps listing materials, quantities, and exact actions so someone else can repeat it.
In an experiment testing fertilizer type on plant height, this is the dependent variable.
What is the plant height?
This subatomic particle has almost no mass and a negative charge.
What is an electron?
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Elements on the left side of the periodic table tend to have this classification and are good conductors.
What are metals?
Bonus 200 points: What metal was given on the 5th day of Christmas. (song)
This law states that matter cannot be created or destroyed during a chemical reaction.
What is the Law of Conservation of Mass?
A scientist repeats an experiment several times to improve accuracy. This is called doing multiple what?
What are trials?
Bonus 100 points: What is the minimum trials an experiment should have?
Which variable is deliberately changed by the experimenter: independent or dependent?
Independent variable.
What two subatomic particles are found in the nucleus of most atoms?
Protons and neutrons.
These elements, including helium and neon, are found in Group 18 and are known for being unreactive.
What are noble gases?
Classify and explain: dissolving sugar in water — physical or chemical? Include whether it can be reversed easily.
Dissolving sugar is physical (sucrose molecules separate into solution but remain chemically the same); usually reversible by evaporation of water.