Scientific Inquiry

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Scientific Inquiry

• The Scientific Method

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Scientists study the natural world by

• Observation
• Experimentation
• Modeling

They Follow a set of procedures known as the
Scientific Method.
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Steps of the Scientific method
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Key Words

• Experiment - A procedure used to test a
  hypothesis.
• Example
• Performing a procedure to test how quickly Kool
  Aid dissolves in water

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Key Words

• Hypothesis - Prediction in terms of variables. A
  hypothesis has to be testable.
• Example Kool Aid will dissolve faster in cold
  water than hot water
• Note The hypothesis is not right or wrong until
  the experiment has proved it right or wrong!

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Key Words

• Variable - A factor in an experiment that can or
  cannot be changed.
• Example
• Amount of Kool Aid
• Amount of Water
• Temperature of Water
• Speed Kool Aid dissolves ( Time)
• Speed of Mixing

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Key Words ( Types of Variables)

• Independent variable - The variable that is
  changed by the experimenter. It is the
  Manipulated change that the scientist makes in
  the experiment.
• Dependent variable - The variable that is changed
  depending on the values of the Independent
  variable. It is the Responding change that occurs
  as a result of the experiment.
• Constant - The variable that does not change
  throughout the experiment.

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1) Scientists test a hypothesis by

• (A) formulating questions
• (B) designing models
• (C) doing experiments
• (D) drawing conclusions

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2) In an experiment to determine the effects of
radiation on the germination of seeds, the
independent variable would be

• (A) the amount of radiation
• (B) the temperature of the soil
• (C) the germination rate of seeds
• (D) the amount of water added to the seeds

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3) During a laboratory activity, a student
combined two solutions. In the laboratory
report, the student wrote, A yellow color
appeared. The statement represents the
students recorded

• ((A) conclusion
• (B) observation
• (C) hypothesis
• (D) inference

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4) The dependent variable in an experiment is

• (A) the part of the experiment that the
  scientist changes.
• (B) what changes as a result of the experiment.
• (C) an educated guess about what might happen.
• (D) one of the steps in the scientific method.

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5) John wanted to find out which laundry soap
was best for removing grass stains. Each soap
was mixed with warm water. It was then used to
scrub a piece of grass-stained cloth for 1
minute. Then the amount of stain left on the
cloth was measured. What was the dependent
variable

• (A) water temperature
• (B) Laundry soap
• (C) amount of stain left on the cloth
• (D) scrubbing time for each cloth

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But.

• How do we determine the variables??!!!

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It depends on the EXPERIMENT!

• Example-

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Experiment To determine how temperature affects
how fast Kool Aid dissolves in Water

• Independent variable -
• Temperature of water
• Dependent variable -
• Speed Kool Aid dissolves ( Time)
• Constants -
• Amount of Kool Aid
• Amount of Water
• Speed of Mixing

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Experiment To determine how the amount of water
affects how fast Kool Aid dissolves.

• Independent variable -
• Amount of Water
• Dependent variable -
• Speed Kool Aid dissolves ( Time)
• Constants -
• Amount of Kool Aid
• Speed of Mixing
• Temperature of water

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Experiment To determine how the amount of Kool
Aid you add affects how fast it dissolves.

• Independent variable -
• Amount of Kool Aid
• Dependent variable -
• Speed Kool Aid dissolves ( Time)
• Constants -
• Amount of Water
• Speed of Mixing
• Temperature of water

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6) Mark is studying how heat affects how fast
oil flows. He guesses that as the oil gets
hotter, it flows faster. How could he test
this?

• A) Heat oil to different temperatures. Then
  weigh it after it flows out of the can.
• (B) Observe how fast oil at different
  temperatures flows down a smooth surface.
• (C) Let oil flow down smooth surfaces at
  different angles. Observe its speed.
• (D) Measure the time it takes for oil of
  different thickness to pour out of the can

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Key Words

• Control
• A Standard Value used to compare results

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Key Words

• Theory
• An explanation that has been tested repeatedly
  under controlled experimental conditions
  conditions and found to be right each time.

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Key Words

• Scientific Law
• States a proven theory about nature
• Example
• Law of Gravity.

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Key Words

• Technology
• Man-made uses of scientific knowledge
• Example
• TVs IPODs.

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7) The ability to reproduce results is an
important part of any

• (A)Hypothesis
• (B)Theory
• (C)Law
• (D)Experiment

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8) Which of the following would be an example of
technology?

• (A) Observing a rainbow after a storm
• (B) Explaining why a crystal sparkles
• (C) Learning about the nature of fire
• (D) Producing a medicine from a plant

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Key Words

• Data
• Quantitative and Qualitative observations made
  during an experiment.
• Example
• Time - Quantitative
• Color - Qualitative

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Organizing Scientific Data

• Scientists use graphs to organize data.
• There are 3 main types-

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Line Graphs

• Line Graphs are used when trying to show the
  relationship between two sets of Quantitative Data

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Bar Graphs

• Bar Graphs are used when trying to compare the
  relationship between Quantitative Data and
  Qualitative Data

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Circle / Pie Graphs

• Pie Graphs are used when analyzing percentages
  of a whole
• Example Types of Programs on TV

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Experiment to determine how the amount of time
two chemicals are allowed to react, affects how
much gas is produced from the reaction

• Independent variable -
• Time
• Dependent variable -
• Gas Volume

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When graphing REMEMBER!!!!DRY- MIX

• Dependent variable
• Responding variable
• Y-axis

• Manipulated variable
• Independent variable
• X-axis

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9)Which of the following is the BEST description
of the relationship shown on the graph?

• (A) The larger the engine, the more miles per
  gallon the car gets.
• (B) The fewer miles per gallon the car gets, the
  smaller the engine.
• (C) The smaller the engine, the more miles per
  gallon a car gets.
• (D) The more miles per gallon for a car, the
  larger the engine.

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10) John let his flashlight burn for 14 straight
hours. He measured the amount of light given off
(in lumens) at various times.

• Which graph would best shows his results?
• (A) Bar Graph
• (B) Line Graph
• ( C) Circle Graph
• ( D) Pie Graph