Scientific Method
What is the first step in the scientific method?
Asking a question based on observations.
What is a hypothesis?
A reasonable guess that can be tested.
How do scientists test their hypotheses?
By conducting experiments or making observations.
What is correlation?
A relationship between two things.
What gas do we breathe out that plants use?
Carbon dioxide.
Why do scientists do background research?
To learn more about the question they are asking.
Why must a hypothesis be testable?
So it can be proven right or wrong.
What is one tool that scientists might use in their experiments?
A microscope.
Does correlation prove that one thing causes another?
No, correlation does not prove causation.
How many times does a volcano erupt in a year on average?
50-70 eruptions.
What do you call a guess about what might happen in an experiment?
A hypothesis.
What is one example of a hypothesis about plants growing?
IF plants get more sunlight, THEN they will grow taller.
What do you call the results that scientists record during an experiment?
Data.
What is an example of correlation?
When it rains, people often carry umbrellas.
What do greenhouse gases do?
They trap heat in the atmosphere.
What do scientists do after they gather data from their experiments?
They analyze the data to make conclusions.
What is a working hypothesis?
A hypothesis that scientists are currently testing.
Why is it important to eliminate bias when testing hypotheses?
To ensure fair and accurate results.
What do you need to show causation?
A clear connection that explains how one thing affects another.
What is one thing that increases global temperatures?
The burning of fossil fuels.
Does the scientific method need to go in a straight line?
No, it can be a back-and-forth process.
Can there be more than one hypothesis for a question?
Yes, there can be multiple hypotheses.
What happens if a hypothesis is proven wrong?
Scientists learn something new and may develop a new hypothesis.
Why is it important to understand the difference between correlation and causation?
To avoid making incorrect conclusions about why things happen.
What is the age of the Earth?
About 4.5 billion years.