Steps of an Experiment
Something you see, feel, taste, hear, or smell with your five senses.
Observation
Any factor in an experiment that can change (on purpose or because of something else causing the change)
Variables
Common language of measurement used by scientists all over the world.
Metric System
If I give a plant an unlimited amount of sunlight, then it will grow to its largest possible size.
Hypothesis
Which is an important part of a scientist's experiment to help reach a conclusion?
Asking other people for their opinions OR Recording and keeping track of data
Recording and keeping track of data.
A statement that shares the results of an experiment.
Conclusion
The part of an experiment that changes as a result of the independent variable being manipulated by the experimenter.
Dependent Variable
Tool used to measure temperature
Thermometer
In an experiment that tests which paper towel cleans the best, Jennie used 3 brands of paper towels. She used the same grape juice to make the same size mess. The grape juice and size of the mess are what in this experiment?
Constants
Balance or Graduated Cylinder?
Blake needs to measure the mass of an apple.
Balance.
Graduated Cylinders measure liquid volume.
An explanation or idea based on observations.
Inference
Things that are kept the same throughout an experiment to keep the investigation fair.
Constants
Instrument used to measure volume (liquid)
Graduated Cylinder
In an experiment that tests which paper towel cleans the best, Jennie used 3 brands of paper towels. She used the same grape juice to make the same size mess. Is the type of paper towel Jennie uses the independent or dependent variable?
Independent because Jennie, the experimenter, decides which paper towel to use. Everything else that she controls stays the same.
Quantitative or Qualitative:
The mass of the pencil is 34 grams.
Quantitative
A completely fair process of following procedures and steps to test a hypothesis
Experiment
Data that can be observed, but not measured.
Qualitative Data
Tool used to measure length.
Ruler
John found that adding an extra scoop of laundry detergent with his laundry made his clothes smell fresh 2 days longer.
Conclusion
Observation or Inference?
I see that he has a tent, he is going camping.
Inference. You observe that he has a tent, but you are inferring that he is camping. He may have found the tent and is returning it to the owner.
An educated guess about what will happen if you change an independent variable.
Hypothesis
A factor in the experiment that is changed by the experimenter on purpose.
Independent Variable
Tool used to measure mass
Balance
In an experiment that tests which paper towel cleans the best, Jennie used 3 brands of paper towels. She used the same grape juice to make the same size mess. Is the amount of the mess left behind by each of the paper towels the independent or dependent variable?
Dependent because the amount of the mess left behind depends on which brand of paper towel the experimenter decides to use to clean with.
If I ride on a smaller sled, I will go further.
Is the italicized portion of the above hypothesis the independent variable, dependent variable, or a constant?
Dependent variable.
The size of the sled is what I am changing = independent variable.
The distance I will go depends on the size of the sled = dependent variable.
The amount of snow, size of the hill, size of the rider, starting and stopping points of the ride would all need to stay the same = these would be the constants.