Theory vs Law
Are scientific laws & theories BOTH supported by evidence?
YES!
What is an observation?
Using your 5 senses to gain information.
Give an example of a scientific model.
Examples: Map, Weather Map, Starburst lab, Oreo lab, model car, solar system, etc.
What is replication?
When another scientist repeats your experiment.
True or false: In all areas of science, scientific knowledge is constantly being analyzed and tested to find out if conclusions that have already been made are currently still supported.
TRUE
What does a scientific theory do?
Explains the natural world.
What is an inference?
Reaching a conclusions based on evidence and reasoning (observations)
What is a scientific model?
A physical, mathematical, or conceptual representation of a system of ideas, events, or processes.
What is repetition?
When you repeat your experiment. Multiple trials in your experiment.
Why do scientists share their data with others?
So other scientists can conduct the same experiment and hopefully get the same data. Doing this will support their experiment.
What does a scientific law do?
Describes the natural world.
Give an example of an observation.
The ground is wet (answers may vary)
Why do scientists use models?
To explain and predict the behavior of real objects or systems.
Is the following repetition or replication? Dr. Smith has been reading about another scientist’s research in a physics journal. He plans to do these experiments himself and see if he gets the same result.
Replication
What is an independent variable?
The variable that changes in an experiment.
Answers "WHAT WILL HAPPEN" in a given situation. May be a mathematical equation
Law
Give an example of inference.
Ex: The ground is wet because it rained. (Answer's may vary)
What is an advantage of using models?
Models can help us see things that are too small, too big, no longer exist, have not yet been invented, occur too slowly, occur too fast, and have yet to happen. They can help us save time and money.
Is the following replication or repetition? Josue goes to Silver River each week for 4 weeks and collects 5 samples of water to test the pH.
Repetition
What is an dependent variable?
The data or what you are measuring in an experiment.
Describes WHY the phenomenon happens and answer. HOW DOES IT HAPPEN?
Is the following an example of an observation or inference? Sally has long hair.
Observation
What is a disadvantage of using a model?
Models cannot include all the details about what they represent, they can be too simple, and in order to make them simple some accuracy can be lost.
Why do scientists use replication and repetition?
To see patterns and trends in their results and confirm their data.
Identify the independent and dependent variables in the experiment below. An experiment is performed on plants to see how different liquids affect plant growth. Each plant in the experiment is given a different liquid; water, apple juice, or milk. Each plant has the same amount of soil, sunlight, and listens to the same music.
IV: type of liquid
DV: plant growth / plant height