Observe
To make an observation you have to use your _______ ________ .
Five sences
In science, we use the ________ system.
metric
True or false: An inference is something you directly observe with your senses or a tool.
False
What's the difference between qualitative and quantitative data?
Qualitative - characteristics of something
Quantitative - Involves numerical data
What process do scientists use to investigate questions about the natural world?
The scientific method.
A scientist writes, “The flower is yellow.” Is this a qualitative or quantitative observation?
Qualitative
Convert 67 kg to grams.
67,000 grams
You see a wet umbrella by the classroom door and say, “It must be raining outside.” Observation or inference?
Inference
What is the curve of the water on a graduated cylinder called?
Meniscus
An experiment must always include a _______ test.
Fair
Which is a better scientific observation: “The rock is pretty” or “The rock is gray, rough, and has three white spots”? Why?
The second; it is specific and describes observable characteristics.
What metric unit is most appropriate for the length of a tiny seed: mm, m, or km?
Millimeters (mm).
Observation: A plant’s leaves are drooping and the soil feels dry. Give one reasonable inference.
Example: The plant may need water.
A graduated cylinder has marks at 20 mL and 30 mL, with five equal spaces between them. How much does each space represent?
2 mL.
What's the control variable in an experiment?
The thing that always remains the same.
List 3 quantitative observations about this drawing.
3 hairs, 2 shoes, 1 pair of shorts, 4 fingers
A rectangular box is 5 cm long, 3 cm wide, and 2 cm high. What is its volume?
30 cm³.
Dr. Cappy sees lettuce leaves scattered across his lab floor and writes, “Someone ate lettuce in the lab.” Observation or inference? Explain.
Inference; he is using observations/evidence to explain what may have happened.
A plant is 5 cm tall on Day 1, 8 cm on Day 3, 12 cm on Day 5, and 16 cm on Day 7. What trend does the data show, and what evidence supports it?
Height increases over time; it grows from 5 cm to 16 cm.
A scientist asks, “How does ramp height affect the distance a toy car travels?” What is the independent variable?
Ramp height.
A scientist writes: “The liquid is blue, has bubbles, has a volume of 25 mL, and must contain soap.” Which statement is NOT an observation?
“It must contain soap.” That is an inference.
A seedling begins at the 2 cm mark and ends at the 9 cm mark. A student says it is 9 cm long. What is its actual length, and what mistake was made?
7 cm. The ending position was treated as the length instead of subtracting the starting position.
What question might a scientist ask?
[Answers may vary]
An empty container is placed on an electronic balance before adding a specimen. What should the scientist do so the container’s mass is not included?
Tare or zero the balance.
Dr. Cappy asks whether magnet size affects how many paper clips it can pick up. Identify the IV, DV, and TWO controlled variables.
IV: magnet size. DV: number of paper clips. Controls: same magnet type/material, paper clips, procedure, starting conditions, etc.