1. Chapter 1: The Nature of Science Table of Contents Section 1-2 Science in Action

2. A. Scientific Methods 1. Step-by-step procedures of scientific problem solving are called scientific methods. 2. Solving any problem scientifically involves several steps. 3. The steps used can vary from situation to situation and aren’t always done in the same order. Ch 1-2 Science in Action

3. A. Scientific Methods. Ch 1-2 Science in Action

4. B. Recognize the Problem 1. The first step in using a scientific approach to solving a problem is recognizing a problem. 2. A scientific problem is a question that can be answered using scientific methods. 3. To solve a problem, scientists must do research using various sources of information. Ch 1-2 Science in Action

5. C. Observe 1. In order to be able to answer the question, a scientist needs to plan and carry out an experiment. 2. First, he or she must make and record careful observations about the subject. Ch 1-2 Science in Action

6. C. Observe 3. Observations can be bits of information you gather with your senses. 4. Most scientific observations are made with your eyes and ears. Ch 1-2 Science in Action 5. You also can observe with your senses of touch, taste, and smell.

7. D. Infer 1.Observations often lead to inferences. 2.An inference is a conclusion based on what you observe. Ch 1-2 Science in Action

8. E. Form a Hypothesis 1. After a problem is identified, a scientist might make a hypothesis. 2. A hypothesis (hi PAH thuh sus) is a statement that can be tested. Ch 1-2 Science in Action 3. Hypotheses are based on observations, research, and prior knowledge of a problem. 4. Sometimes more than one hypothesis can be developed.

9. E. Form a Hypothesis 5. Hypotheses differ from two other scientific statements—scientific theories and scientific laws. Ch 1-2 Science in Action

10. F. Test Your Hypothesis 1. An experimental investigation is a series of carefully planned steps used to test a hypothesis. Ch 1-2 Science in Action 2. In any experiment, it’s important to carefully consider what resources you will use and how to conserve them. 3. It’s also important to keep everything the same except for the item or variable you are testing so that you’ll know which variable caused the results.

11. F. Test Your Hypothesis Ch 1-2 Science in Action 5. For example, in an experiment, similar- sized fig plants received the same amount of sunlight. 4. A variable that you change in an experiment is called the independent variable.

12. F. Test Your Hypothesis Ch 1-2 Science in Action 7. The hypothesis to test is that fig plants grow best when watered only once a week. 6. They were planted in similar containers with the same type and amount of soil.

13. F. Test Your Hypothesis 8. The independent variable is the number of times he waters each plant in a week. Ch 1-2 Science in Action 9. The growth of the plants is the dependent variable. 10. A dependant variable is a variable, or outcome, that depends on what happens in the experiment when the independent variable is used.

14. G. Plan the Experiment 1. In order to test only one variable at a time, scientists often use constants. Ch 1-2 Science in Action 2. Constants are factors in an experiment that stay the same.

15. G. Plan the Experiment 3. Some experimental investigations also have a control. A control is a standard used for comparison. Ch 1-2 Science in Action 4. If a scientist wished to study the chemical makeup of a soil sample. A control soil— one of known chemistry— could be analyzed first. 5. That way, data from the sample of interest could be directly compared to data from the control soil.

16. H. Do the Experiment 1. In the fig plant experiment, plant A would only be watered once, at the beginning of the experiment. Ch 1-2 Science in Action 2. A second fig plant, plant B, would get watered everyday. 3. The third fig plant, plant C, would get watered once each week. The experiment would last one month.

17. H. Do the Experiment 4. Tables can be used for recording observations. Ch 1-2 Science in Action 5. These will list each plant and the number of times it was to be watered. PlantDate Watered Plant Height Leaf Color Number of Leaves Dropped A9/3/201410.5Green0 B C

18. H. Do the Experiment Ch 1-2 Science in Action 6. Observations, which would include the height of each plant, the color of its leaves, and the number of leaves it dropped, if any, should be recorded. PlantDate Watered Plant Height Leaf Color Number of Leaves Dropped A9/3/201410.5Green0 B C

19. I. Analyze Your Data 1. Data are collected during any scientific study. Ch 1-2 Science in Action 2. Some data are numeric values such as the length of an object or the temperature of a liquid. 3. Other data you collect may include observations that use adjectives and phrases such as faster, smaller, not as well as, and greener. 4. An experimenter must record and study the data collected before he or she can draw conclusions about an experiment.

20. I. Analyze Your Data 5. By the end of the month in the fig experiment, the leaves still left on the plant that was watered only once were brown and shriveled. It had lost most of its leaves. Ch 1-2 Science in Action 6. The plant that was watered everyday had a few leaves left on its branches, but these leaves didn’t look too healthy.

21. I. Analyze Your Data 7. The plant that was watered once each week had grown the tallest. Ch 1-2 Science in Action 8. Many healthy green-and- white leaves extended from its branches.

22. J. Draw Conclusions and Communicate 1. A conclusion is a statement based on what is observed. Ch 1-2 Science in Action 2. It can be concluded in the fig experiment that not watering a plant enough causes the leaves to dry out and die. 3. Watering a plant too much also causes the leaves to die. 4. Watering the plant once a week seems to be the best schedule, of those tested, for a fig plant.

23. 5. The hypothesis was supported. Ch 1-2 Science in Action 6. But in order to make sure his conclusions were valid, he should repeat his experiment. 7. An important step in the scientific process is to communicate the results of an investigation. J. Draw Conclusions and Communicate

24. K. Laboratory Safety In your science class, you will perform many types of investigations. Ch 1-2 Science in Action However, performing scientific investigations involves more than just following specific steps.

25. You also must learn how to keep yourself and those around you safe by obeying the safety symbol warnings. Ch 1-2 Science in Action K. Laboratory Safety

26. Ch 1-2 Science in Action L. Good Safety Habits 1.Find and follow all safety symbols before you begin and investigation. 2.Always wear an apron and goggles to protect yourself from chemicals, flames, and pointed objects. 3.Keep goggles on until activity,, cleanup, and hand washing are complete.

27. Ch 1-2 Science in Action L. Good Safety Habits 4. Always slant test tubes away from yourself and others. 5. Never eat, drink, or put on make up in the lab. 6. Report all accidents to your teacher. 7. Always wash your hands after working in the lab.

28. Section Check Question 1 List the steps in the scientific method.

29. Section Check Question 2 What is an independent variable in an experiment?

30. Section Check Question 3 Compare and contrast an observation and an inference.

31. To advance to the next item or next page click on any of the following keys: mouse, space bar, enter, down or forward arrow. Click on this icon to return to the table of contents Click on this icon to return to the previous slide Click on this icon to move to the next slide Click on this icon to open the resources file. Help Click on this icon to go to the end of the presentation.

32. End of Chapter Summary File