Scientific Inquiry Overview
What is the first step of scientific inquiry?
Ask Questions
Law or Theory: Matter cannot be created or destroyed.
Law
This variable is the one that is MEASURED.
Dependent variable
Making a graph would be part of which step in the scientific inquiry process?
Analyze Results (#4)
What is the definition of an observation?
Information you gather using one or more of your senses
Which describes something that happens or will happen under certain conditions - a scientific law or a scientific theory?
A scientific law
Constants
How many factors should you change at a time during an experiment?
One! The independent variable!
What is one way in which scientists can communicate their results?
Write science journal articles, speak at science conferences, exchange info on the internet, etc!
True or False: Theories have less evidence than laws, but as we get more evidence for a theory, it can become a law.
False!
You think that a candy cane dissolves at different speeds depending on water temperature. You put a candy cane in water that ranges from cold to hot. What are the independent and dependent variables?
Dependent variable: rate at which the candy cane dissolves
In which step of scientific inquiry would you see a statement like this? "If I drink 3 energy drinks, I will not be able to sleep tonight."
#2: Hypothesize and predict
True or False: You only need to redo your experiment if your hypothesis was wrong.
False!
Law or Theory: Planets move around the sun in an elliptical shape.
Law!
A new birdseed claims to attract twice as many birds as your usual brand. You test out your old brand for 2 weeks and count how many birds come to the birdfeeder each day. The following two weeks, you repeat the process with the new birdseed. Identify the independent and dependent variables, a constant, the control group, and the experimental group.
Independent variable: type of bird seed
Dependent variable: number of birds
Constants: time (2 weeks), using the same birdfeeder
Control: old birdseed
Experimental: new birdseed
You observe that the grass on your front lawn is wet. What are 2 inferences that you could come up with based on your observation?
Inference: a logical explanation of an observation
It rained, the sprinklers came on, some kids had a water balloon fight in your yard, etc.
1. Ask questions
2. Hypothesize and predict
3. Test your hypothesis
4. Analyze results
5. Draw conclusions
6. Communicate results
Why is the Big Bang a theory?
Because it explains how the universe was created - (remember, theories explain how or why!)
I am interested in knowing if iced coffee is as popular as hot coffee during December. I will record how many iced coffees Dutch Bros sells in December and how many hot coffees they sell. Identify the independent variable, a dependent variable, a constant, the control group, and the experimental group.
Independent variable: type/temperature of drink
Dependent variable: # of coffees sold
Constants: Dutch Bros, December
Control group: # of hot coffees
Experimental group: # of cold coffees
Who are the Oregon Ducks playing in football this weekend?
Colorado