1. Chapter 1 Section 2 Science as a Process Ms. Scerra

2. Behavior of Natural Systems The goal of Science is to explain natural phenomena. Scientists:  Start with the assumption that nature is understandable and predictable.  However, natural systems are complex so… Scientists follow the same basic method of studying and describing natural events.

3. 1. Ask a Question  Scientific inquiry begins with observation.  Science inquiry involves asking questions and processing information from a variety of reliable sources.

4. Observation vs. Inference Observation- direct way of gathering information in an organized way. Inference- taking observations and making a logical conclusion

5. Let’s make some observations!

6. 2. Form a Hypothesis Hypothesis - a testable explanation of a situation. Hypothesis that are supported through experiments and data are then accepted in the scientific community.

7. 3. Test the Hypothesis An Experiment - a procedure carried out by certain guidelines.

8. Experiment Variables Independent Variable –  Only one factor in an experiment that you change. Ex: Amount of Sunlight Dependent Variable –  What is being tested or measured  Results from or depends on changes to the independent variable Ex: A Plant Growing Control Group- group you keep the same (all variables are constant)

9. Scientific Measurements Precision – exactness of the measurement.  Accuracy – how close a measurement is to the true value of the thing being measured.

10. Analyzing the Data A graph of the data makes easier to interpret.

11. 4. Report Conclusions Conclusions are reached after  Controlled experiments  Unbiased investigations  Large amounts of data  Conclusions are published so others can review the results and discuss the merit of the experiment.

12. Finally….. A Scientific Theory is made.  Theory- explanation of a natural phenomenon supported by many observations and experiments over time  A theory is NOT the final answer because Scientists debate each other ideas New information can always change a theory

14. Identify the following terms: identify the problem, hypothesis, experiment, independent variable, dependent variable, and create a conclusion The leaves on my tomato plants were turning yellow. I was not sure what to do. I decided that maybe they were not getting enough sun. I moved one plant into the sun and left the other one where it was. I recorded the different shades of the leaves (yellow, yellow-green, and green).