Scientific Questions
The three key words in a scientific question are
How, does, affect
The dependent variable has to be something you can...
measure
The three key words in a hypothesis are
If, then, because
Look at the data / results - these will allow you to answer the scientific question and make a...
conclusion
What did Ibn Al-Haytham study AND what was important about how he studied it?
light
he did experiments
Is this a scientific question?
How does the amount of sugar affect how long children stay awake on Halloween?
yes
Control variables are things in an experiment that...
stay the same
Is this a good hypothesis?
I think there will be more snow in December because I want snow for winter break.
no
the measurements from your dependent variable are together called
data
How would you find the average for the following data?
Time to ride bus from BFA to CP
Ride 1 = 4.2 minutes
Ride 2 = 3.9 minutes
Ride 3 = 4.1 minutes
Ride 4 = 4 minutes
Ride 5 = 3.9 minutes
add them up and divide by 5
Is this a scientific question?
Why does the amount of sugar cause children to stay awake longer on Halloween?
no
This variable is what the experimenter changes on purpose, or tests.
Is this a good hypothesis?
If it is consistently below 35oF in December, then there will be snow during winter break because it needs to be closer to freezing for it to snow.
yes
Use the data to answer the scientific question:
How does the amount of baking soda affect the height of the cookies?
0 tsp = .4 inches tall
1/2 tsp = .9 inches tall
1 tsp = 1.2 inches tall
1 1/2 tsp = 1.35 inches tall
2 tsp = 1.4 inches tall
the more baking soda used, the taller the cookies
What is this? *
beaker
Which variables belong where?
How does _________ affect ________?
How does [IV] affect [DV] ?
What is the dependent variable?
How does car color affect how frequently people get pulled over?
how frequently people get pulled over
Which variables belong in the blanks?
If _____ then _____.
If [IV] then [DV] .
Use the data to answer the scientific question:
How does the temperature affect how long milk stays fresh?
100oF = 6 hours
85oF = 1 day
70oF = 2 days
55oF = 4 days
40oF = 7 days
the warmer the temperature the less long the milk stays fresh
What is this? *
Graduated cylinder
Say the scientific question...
IV: temperature of hot tub
DV: time spent in the hot tub
How does the temperature of the hot tub affect the time spent in the hot tub?
What is the independent variable?
How does player age affect accuracy at ping pong?
player age
In a hypothesis, a connection to an observation or scientific reasoning should follow after the word...
because
How does women's shoes size affect how many pairs of shoes remain after a season?
Size 6 = 11 pairs left
Size 7 = 8 pairs left
Size 8 = 2 pairs left
Size 9 = 6 pairs left
Size 10 = 14 pairs left
the most common shoe size has the least amount of shoes left
What is this? *
Weigh boat