DEFINITIONS
LABS
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
MR. MCMILLAN
100

Define Hypothesis


A guess.


100

What was the lab we did to prove that not everything falls at the same rate?

The Drop Experiment.

100

In the five steps of the Scientific Method, where does "Hypothesizing" happen.

Step 2.

100

Why did they think there were canals on Mars?

Lines on the telescopes.

100

What classes does Mr. McMillan teach?

Art, Science, Enrichment, Latin, Theatre, Math

200

Define Variable

The part of an experiment that changes.

200

Why is it important to test and retest things?

To gather more data and to be certain that the conclusion made from that data is certain.

200

Why is Research an important step of the Scientific Method?

It allows the scientist to know past studies on their topic and examine where prior experiments succeeded or failed.

200

Why is it important to remove / negate as many variables as possible in an experiment?

Because all experimentation should attempt to only test one thing at a time. 
200

Which subject is Mr. McMillan's favorite to teach?

Math or Art.

300

Define Control Variable

The variable or part of the experiment to which all others will be compared.

300

Our Lab on Sugar-Water was an example of what kind of experiment? 

A double-blind experiment. 

300

What are the five steps of the Scientific Method? (In order.)

1. Observation

2. Hypothesis

3. Research

4. Experimentation / Testing

5. Conclusion

300

What is the purpose of a blind or double-blind experiment?

To eliminate bias.

300

What is Mr. McMillan's favorite kind of candy?

Mike&Ikes

400

Define Placebo

A substance that has no effect.

400

Why did the boat with the dish soap on its underside move forward in the water?

The Marangoni Effect / The sudden decrease / breaking of the surface tension.

400

Why is is important for the Conclusion and Hypothesis to be quantifiable?

Because science deals with data, and opinions are not able to be tested or proven.
400

Can science prove anything? Defend your answer.

No, because we cannot have a definitive data-set on all of reality, nor can we ever truly trust our instrumentation, including our own faculties and senses.

400

What is Mr. McMillan's favorite sport? (to play)

Soccer or Waterpolo

500

Define Blind Experiment

Experiments in which the participants do not know whether they are part of the control group.

500

What were some of the variables of the Sugar-Water experiment that we tried to account for?

The order of students, personal student taste, tester interaction with students, ...

500

"I think birds migrate due to a change in temperature (36 degrees) rather than a biological clock."


This is an example of which part of the Scientific Method?

Hypothesis. (half-points for Conclusion)

500

Why did Semmelwies' experiment on washing hands fail?

The doctors refused to actually wash and lied about it. This introduced obvious bias and extra variables making the conclusion unverifiable.

500

Who is Mr. McMillan's favorite student?

Doesn't have one / Nobody.