Essential question Why do we trust that Scientists have correct explanations for how things work Observations Scientist use observations during an investigation to gauge how the process is going but they also make many observations to design their investigations ID: 721117
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Slide1
Scientific Method – Conducting an investigationSlide2
Essential question
Why do we trust that Scientists have correct explanations for how “things” work?Slide3
Observations
Scientist use observations during an investigation to gauge how the process is going but they also make many observations to design their investigations.
How do we make observations?
Are some observations more important that others?
Activity: Candle Observations
On a piece of paper, you will make as many observations has you can about the candles that I show you. You may organize your paper how ever you would like. Slide4
Steps in the Scientific Method
Observation
Hypothesis
Experiment
Data Collection
Conclusion
RetestSlide5
Observations
Gathered through your
senses
A scientist notices something in their
natural worldSlide6
Experiment
A procedure to
test
the hypothesis.Slide7
Experiment
Variable
– factor in the experiment that is being testedSlide8
Experiment
A good or
“
valid
”
experiment will only have
ONE variable!Slide9
Scientific Experiments Follow Rules
An experimenter
changes one factor
and
observes or measures
what happens.Slide10
The Control Variable
The experimenter makes a special effort to keep
other factors constant
so that they will not effect the outcome.
Those factors are called
control variables.
Slide11
What is the Purpose of a Control?
Controls are
NOT
being tested
Controls are used for
COMPARISONSlide12
Other Variables
The factor that is changed is known as the
independent variable
.
The factor that is measured or observed is called the
dependent variable
. Slide13
Example of Controls & Variables
For example
, suppose you want to figure out
the
fastest route
to walk home from school.
You will try several different routes and
time how long it takes you to get home by each one. Since you are only interested in finding a route that is fastest for you, you will do the walking yourself.Slide14
What are the Variables in Your Experiment?
Varying the route is the
independent variable
The time it takes is the
dependent variable
Keeping the same walker throughout makes the walker a
control variable.
Slide15
One more thing… it is best to make
several trials
with each independent variable.Slide16
Remember: To be a Valid Experiment:
Two groups
are required --- the control & experimental groups
There should be only
one
variableSlide17
Hypothesis
A suggested solution to the problem.
Must be
testable
Sometimes written as
If…Then…
statements
Predicts
an outcomeSlide18
Hypothesis
An
example of a hypothesis
might be that the salamanders have curved tails due to a pollutant in the moist soil where they live. Slide19
Rules in Constructing a Hypothesis
Do not use I, me, my, they – no possessive pronouns.
If possible needs to be in a independent – dependent variable format. (IF this happens, THEN this will happen. )
It is a statement not a question.
Example:
If
salt is added to fresh water,
then the water will take longer to freeze
. Slide20
The
If
statement explains how the manipulated variable is going to be changed.
The
then
statement explains how the responding variable is affected by changing the manipulated variable.
If the mass of a paper helicopter is increased, then the time it takes to drop to the ground will decrease.
If fertilizer is given to a plant, then the growth of the plant will increase. If a ball is hit with a wooden bat, then the ball will travel farther than an aluminum bat. Slide21
What is Wrong
Hypothesis 1: If plants are given fertilizer, then the height of the plant will change.
*In hypothesis 1 the
then
statement is not specific enough.
Hypothesis 2:
If a plants height increases, then it was because of the fertilizer.* In hypothesis 2 the dependent variable was talked about in the If statement and the independent variable was talked about in the then statement. Hypothesis 3: If the height of plant that is given fertilizer increases, then it is because the fertilizer gave the plant added nutrients.* Hypothesis 3 has two problems. The first problem is like hypothesis 2, the if and then statements are mixed up. The second problem is this hypothesis does not give a prediction for the scientific question stated above. It gives a prediction on why fertilizers make plants grow more. Slide22
Practice 1
Amy wants to see how the amount of water in a pot affects the time that it takes for water to reach boiling point. She boils 100, 200, 300 ml of water. The time it takes for the water to reach boiling point increases as the amount of water increases.
List the independent variable, dependent variable, and the needed controls
Construct a possible HypothesisSlide23
Answer to Practice 1
Independent: Amount of Water
Dependent: Boiling Time
Controls: Type of water, heating apparatus
Constructing a Hypothesis:
If
water amounts increase, then the time needed for water to reach the boiling point will also increase. Slide24
Practice 2
A study was done to see if leaves added to soil had an effect on tomato production. Tomato plants were grown in four large tubs. Each tub had the same kind and amount of soil. The 1
st
tub had 15 kg of rotted leaves mixed in the soil and 2
nd
had 10 kg. The 3
rd
tub had 5 kg and 4th tub had no leaves added. Each tub was kept in the sun and watered the same amount. The number of kilograms of tomatoes produced in each tub were recordedWhat is the independent variable? Dependent variable?What are the controls?Write a possible hypothesis for this experiment. Slide25
Answers Practice 3
Independent Variable: Music being played
Dependent Variable: Growth of plant
Hypothesis:
If music is played to plant over a period of time, then the growth of the plant will increase.
If music is played to plant over a period of time, then the growth of the plant will decrease.
If music is played to plant over a period of time, then the growth of the plant will have no
effect.Slide26
Answer Practice 2
Independent: Amount of Leaves
Dependent: Kilograms of tomatoes produced
Controls: Soil type and amount, Sun and water amount.
Hypothesis:
The larger amount of leaves added to soil will produce larger amounts of tomatoes.
It is hypothesized that changing the amount of decomposing leaves in soil will not effect tomato growth. Slide27
Practice 3
James wondered if music had an effect on plant growth. He set up an experiment where 25 bean plants were placed in a chamber where music was played and 25 bean plants were placed in an identical chamber where music was not played. The growth chambers were kept at the same temp and all plants received the same amount of sunlight, fertilizer, and water. At the end of 2 weeks plant height was measured.
What is the purpose?
What is the independent variable? Dependent variable?
Write a possible hypothesis for this experiment
. Slide28
Data
Results
of the experiment
May be
quantitative
(numbers) or
qualitativeSlide29
Data
Must be
organized
Can be organized into
charts, tables, or graphsSlide30
DATA – observations and measurements made during a investigation.
Qualitative Data -
describes the situation and reaction in descriptive terms.
For example, qualitative involves the senses including sight, taste, hearing, touch, and smell. This would include color and shape
Quantitative -
includes those things that can be measured
(length, time, mass, temp. etc.)
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data - http://www.regentsprep.org/Regents/math/ALGEBRA/AD1/qualquant.htm http://regentsprep.org/regents/math/algebra/ad1/dataprac.htm Slide31
Do we need both?
A well-designed investigation must have some type of MEASUREABLE data, quantitative, but qualitative gives the measurable data more description and accuracy.
Scientist use qualitative data to record observations that are difficult to measure or to give clarification to measured data. Slide32
Conclusion
The
answer
to the hypothesis based on the
data obtained from the experimentSlide33
Retest
In order to
verify the results,
experiments must be retested.Slide34
Solving a Problem
1)
Identify
a Problem
2) State
Observations
about the problem
3) Form a
Hypothesis
about the problem (if…then…)
4) Design an
Experiment to test the hypothesis
5) Collect
Data
6) Form a
Conclusion
7)
RetestSlide35
OA #3
A team of scientists wonder if the amount of Vitamin A given to laboratory white mice would affect the number of offspring born. An experiment is set up using the same species of white mice. Each mouse in the study gets the same amount of food, daily exercise, and is kept at the same temperature. Once group of mice gets extra vitamin A supplements added to their food. The number of offspring are counted and recorded.
Which of the following is the best Hypothesis – Explain why the wrong ones are incorrect.
Mice will have more offspring if they are given Vitamin A.
If the mice are exposed to Vitamin A, then the amount of offspring will increase.
If you give mice Vitamin A, then they will have more offspring
I think the offspring number will increase if the mice are exposed to Vitamin A. Slide36
ON YOUR OWN –
A scientist wonders how acid might effect salamander’s hatching and growth. A scientist places 100 salamander eggs (Group X) in a pond that is exposed to acid rain. He places another 100 eggs (Group Y) in a pond where acid rain has not been detected. The conditions such as temperature, mineral content of the water, amount of sunlight are as similar as possible in both areas.
Determine Independent Variable? (2pts each)
What are some possible Dependent variables?
Construct an Hypothesis for this experiment.Slide37
Own your own
Candy wondered if caffeine would affect the breathing rate of goldfish. She went to the store and purchased 10 goldfish of approximately the same age and size, identical containers, food, and caffeine tablets. In one container she placed 5 goldfish with no caffeine. In the other container she placed 5 goldfish with caffeine tablets dissolved in the water. She observed the goldfish behavior and counted the operculum (plate that covers gills) movements in both containers of fish.
Determine Independent Variable?
What are some possible Dependent variables?
Construct an Hypothesis for this experiment.Slide38
Measurement
English System – we’re the only industrialized nation that uses this system as it’s standard measurement. (pounds, ounces/cups, miles, Fahrenheit, etc.)
History – was based off of body parts and commonly used objects.
Drawbacks: complex converting and same names for different measurements such as ounce for both weight and liquid capacity. Slide39
Measurement
Metric (International System of Units SI) universally used in scientific work, and widely used around the world for personal and commercial purposes.
A standard set of prefixes in powers of ten may be used to derive larger and smaller units from the base units.Slide40
Metric is used in science
Mass – unit is
grams (g)
, used for
measure how much matter makes up an object.
Tools used:
triple beam balance, digital balanceSlide41
Volume of a liquid
Unit – liter (L) (in class use mainly
mL
)
Used to measure how much space a liquid takes up.
Tools: graduated cylinders (most accurate), beakers, FlasksSlide42
Solid Volume
Solid Volume –
cm
3
or m
3
is the unit, used for measuring the amount of space an object takes up. To find the volume of a solid measure the length, width, and height. Multiply all 3 numbers together.Measuring Irregular solids – use the water displacement method but you will still record the volume using cm3Ruler, graduated cylinder and waterSlide43
Length
Unit – meters (m)
Used for measuring the distance between two points.
Tools - rulersSlide44
Temperature
Unit –
Celsius, C
Used to
measure the movement of molecules in a substance. The more movement the higher the temperature.
Tool: Thermometer
Celsius is based on the freezing and boiling point of water. 0 degrees for freezing and 100 degrees for boiling.
Fahrenheit is less accurate.Slide45
OA: What Tool and unit would you use to measure the following?(Remember metric)
How much matter in a calculator?
How much space dr. pepper takes up in your drinking cup?
How much space a textbook takes up in your book bag?
The distance from Main Hall to Math Hall?
How much space a paper clip takes up?
The height of your desk?Slide46
Answers to OA – keep in OA section
How much matter in a calculator?
use a balance and measure in grams
How much space dr. pepper takes up in your drinking cup?
use a graduated cylinder and measure in milliliters (
mL
)
How much space a textbook takes up in your book bag? use a ruler, LxWxH, unit cm3The distance from Main Hall to Math Hall? ruler, metersHow much space a paper clip takes up?
water displacement method, cm
3
The height of the your desk?
ruler, centimeters (cm)Slide47
Density
The amount of matter in a given volume
Mass (g)/ volume (mL
3
) = Density (g/mL
3
)
Practice Problems:You have a rock with a volume of 15cm3 and a mass of 45 g. What is its density?You have a different rock with a volume of 30cm3 and a mass of 60g. What is its density?
Which rock is heavier? Which rock is more dense? Slide48
Application
A golden-colored cube is handed to you. The person wants you to buy it for $100, saying that is a gold nugget. You pull out your old geology text and look up gold in the mineral table, and read that its density is 19.3 g/cm
3
. You measure the cube and find that it is 2 cm on each side, and weighs 40 g. What is its density? Is it gold? Should you buy it?