Scientific Method
What is the scientific method?
A method for gaining, organizing, and applying new knowledge.
In the sea butterfly investigation, what did the researchers observe?
Which variable in the pendulum lab had the most significant affect on the period?
Length of string
Fact or Hypothesis?
If I study longer for the test, I will score a higher percentage.
Why is scientific notation used?
In order to make numbers easier to read and to save time when writing really large/ small numbers.
Anything that can be tested (proven wrong) and that is not an opinion statement.
Why were the results of the first sea butterfly experiment not clear?
Researchers didn't know if the texture of the sea butterflies caused the predator fish to stay away.
How can you make observations about something?
Use your five senses.
What is pseudoscience and give an example.
A theory about science that does not have scientific foundations; it cannot be proven.
Write in standard form 3.5 x 108
350,000,000
Write the 6 steps to the scientific method.
1) Observe/ State the problem
2) Question/ Gather Information
3) Hypothesize
4) Test
5) Analyze/ Organize Data
6) Conclude
What was the hypothesis that the researchers in the sea butterfly investigation had made?
Sea butterflies produced a toxic chemical that drove predator fish away from the amphipods.
What were the three independent variables in the pendulum lab?
Mass, string length, and angle of release.
Why is a control needed in an experiment?
A control is needed to compare the variable being tested.
Write in standard form: 6.78 x 10-5
0.0000678
What needs to be done in the conclusion of a scientific method.
State if the hypothesis is supported or not.
What did researchers do in order to test the hypothesis of the sea butterflies?
Produced experimental pellets with the sea butterfly extract/chemical.
How does bubble size relate to stretch-ability and which gum type is better for blowing bubbles?
The bigger bubbles were more stretchy; Gum A-Double Bubble!
How is a law different from a theory?
A law is a statement about nature while a theory explains certain aspects in nature.
3.67 x 10-8
Write a formal hypothesis about the sea butterflies investigation (include If-Then statement).
If the predator fish ate the experimental pellets, then the predator fish did not like the texture of the sea butterfly on the amphipod.
The predator fish did not eat the amphipods because of the chemical produced by the sea butterfly.
Suppose you had a pendulum clock that indicated a later time than it really is (too many swings per minute). What could you do to the clock to make it keep better time?
Lengthen the string.
What term describes the following: In order for a scientific hypothesis to be a true hypothesis, it must be able to be proven wrong.
Principle of Falsifiability
Write in scientific notation 123,456,789,000
1.23456789 x 1011