Scientific Method
What are the six steps in the scientific method (in order)
Question
Hypothesis
Procedure
Observations
Results
Conclusion
What are the five steps in making a graph?
- draw the axis
- identify the axis
- choose an appropriate scale
- label axis
- write a title
What are the base units?
liters, meters and grams
What are the three types of variables?
Independent (manipulated), dependent (responding), controlled
What are the two types of observations?
qualitative and quantitative
A scientist is conducting a study on the amount of time student spend on their phones during class and their school performance. Give me an example of hypothesis for this experiment.
If ... ,then...
A good hypothesis must contain these two key words
When do you use a bar graph vs a line graph?
Bar graph: generally used to make a comparison
Line graph: generally used to observe a trend
What are two ways to measure volume?
using a lab instrument (graduated cylinder) or using a mathematical equation (Length x Width x Height)
What is a controlled variable?
The variable that remains constant in an experiment
What is a quantitative observation?
An observation where you use numerical values to describe what you see and hear. They are measurable
Before analyzing the data, what do scientists do with their data derived from observations?
(think about the result section on a lab report what does it contain)
put it into a graph or table
What type of graph would I use if I were comparing the height of students based on their age?
bar graph (generally used for comparison)
1 kilogram is how many times bigger than 1 gram?
1000
What is the difference between an independent and dependent variable? Give an example
Dependent variable – What is being measured in an experiment
Independent variable – The variable that changes in an experiment (being manipulated)
Our 5 senses can be used to make a qualitative observation. Name them
touch, taste, sight, hearing and smell
A scientist conducted a study on quality of soil and plant height. His hypothesis was the following:
If quality of soil is poor, then plants will grow less tall.
The results of his study showed that while most plants grew taller in richer soil, some plants grow taller in poorer soil. What would he conclusion state?
He rejected his hypothesis (as not all his results confirmed his hypothesis)
When making a graph. Which variable goes along the x-axis and which variable goes along the y-axis?
x-axis: independent variable
y-axis: dependent variable
During the lab, the teacher gave the students 3 solutions. Solution A contains 45ml of yellow liquid, solution B contains 0.005L of green liquid and solution C contains 6dl of red liquid. What is the total volume?
110ml
A scientist conducted an experiment to determine how the temperature of the air affects how happy humans are. In this experiment what are the independent and dependent variable?
Dependent: Level of happiness (depends on temperature of air)
Independent: Temperature of air (variable scientist is manipulating)
What type of observation is this:
This student is tall
qualitative (using sight). No numerical value in example
Question: effect of sugar on student ability to focus
Hypothesis: IF students eat more sugar, THEN they will focus less in class (this is an example)
Procedure: 10 students, 5 will be given sugar, 5 will not, test ability to focus during class, etc.
Observations: collect observations
Results: compile data in a result table and a graph then analyze results
Conclusion: reject or confirm hypothesis
In the following example which variable would be represented on the x-axis of a graph?
A scientist is conducting a study on how the amount of fertilizer can affect grass production
amount of fertilizer
x-axis: independent variable
independent variable: variable that can be manipulated by scientist
What is the volume on the solid in the following example? (graduated cylinder: GC)
Initial volume of water in GC: 100ml
Volume of water in GC with solid: 130ml
Water Displacement: V(final) - V(initial)
V(solid)= 130ml - 100ml = 30 ml
A scientist conducted an experiment to determine how the temperature of the water given to plants can affect their growth. Give me three examples of controlled variables for this example
- quantity of sunlight
- frequency of watering
- size of pots
- type of soil
- type of plant
- quantity of water...
Remember controlled variable are variables that do not affect the study
Give me an example of qualitative observation (for each 5 senses) you can observe in this classroom
5 senses (touch, taste, sight, hearing and smell)