Scientific Methods & Inquiry

 A body of knowledge and an organized method used to gain knowledge about the observable universe.  Scientific knowledge includes:  Facts  Concepts  Laws  Models  Theories

Scientific Knowledge Nature of Science Scientific Processes

 “Science as a way of knowing”  Seven Tenants of the Nature of Science:  Scientific knowledge is:  empirically based  both reliable and tentative  the product of observation and inference  the product of creative thinking  subjective, to a degree  scientific laws and theories are different kinds of knowledge  scientists use many methods to develop knowledge

 Formal, organized steps that scientists follow in proposing explanations for their observations and then testing their explanations.  When you apply the scientific method, you apply scientific process skills:  Identifying the problem  Classifying data  Communicating findings  Interpreting measurements  Predicting outcomes  Recording data

 1. Identify the Problem (or question)  Decide what you want to know  Do some research  Observation vs. Inference  Observation is recognizing or noting a fact or occurrence  Inference is a conclusion based on those observations  (Predicting is using knowledge to identify and explain observations, or change, in advance.  sort of like inference)

 2. Make a Hypothesis: making an educated guess you can test the answer to. Inductive ReasoningDeductive Reasoning Used to propose a process that explains fact you observe Takes an event and makes generalizations Specific  General Ex. “The sky is getting dark, it’s about to storm” Used to propose what you would observe should a known process take place Arrive at a specific conclusion based on generalizations General  Specific Ex. “It’s about to storm so the sky will get dark”

 3. Test the hypothesis  Conduct an experiment : organized procedure that involves making measurements and observations  A good scientific experience tests only one variable at a time  Independent variable: factor manipulated by the experimenter  Dependent variable: the factor that can change when the independent variable is changed  Control: used in an experiment to show that the results of an experiment are actually a result of the condition being tested  Always follow lab safety rules!lab safety

 4. Interpret and Analyze Results:  All data, including measurements and observations, are recordedmeasurements  Graphs, tables, and charts can be used to display data

 5. Report results, procedures, and conclusions: reporting results is important because it allows other scientists to verify your work and conclusions and it allows other scientists to build on what you’ve learned. TheoryLaw An explanation based on many observations during repeated experiments Only valid if it is consistent with observations and makes predictions that can be tested Can be changed or modified with the discovery of new data A basic fact that describes the behavior of a natural phenomenon Thought of as a “rule of nature” (ex. Law of Gravity) Cause of the law may be unknown

 Before beginning any investigation, read directions carefully and make sure you understand all safety precautions needed.  Wear safety goggles during all labs that involve heating, pouring or using chemicals  Tie back long hair and loose clothing  Always slant test tubes away from yourself and others when heating the tubes. Keep all materials away from open flames  Never eat or drink in the lab. Never use lab glassware as food or drink containers  Never inhale chemicals, and never taste any substance used in the lab  Know what to do in case of a fire. Know the location and proper use of the fire extinguisher, safety shower, fire blanket, first aid kit, and fire alarm  Report any spill, accident, or injury to your teacher immediately  When cleaning up, dispose of chemicals and other materials as directed by your teacher  Always wash your hands after working in the lab

 A measurement includes a number and a unit of measure  Le Système International d’Unités (SI): a standard system of units (modern version of the metric system)  Different Units:  Length: measures distance  meters (m)  Mass: amount of matter in an object  kilogram (kg)  Area: amount of surface included within a set of boundaries  square meters (m 2 ) or square centimeters (cm 2 )  Volume: amount of space occupied by an object  Solid object: cubic meter (m 3 )  Liquid object: milliliters (mL) or liters (L)  Density: a measure of the amount of matter that occupies a given space  Calculated by dividing mass by its volume g/cm 3 )  Time: interval between two events  Seconds (s)  Temperature: measure of the average vibrations of the particles that make up a material  Celsius (C)

 If you want to express smaller units you move the decimal to the right  Convert meters to millimeters  1.0 meters = 1000 millimeters  If you want to express larger units you move the decimal to the left  Convert grams to kilograms  1.0 grams =.001 kilograms Temperature conversions: F  C : (F - 32) * 5/9 C  F : (C * 9/5) + 32 C  K : C

 5 cm = ___________ m  300 g = ____________ kg  467 mm = ____________ km .083 L = ____________ mL  76 °F = _____________ °C  100 °C = _____________ °F  58 °C = _____________ K

 A type of shorthand used to express extremely small or large numbers  Examples:  92,960,000 miles = x 10 7 miles  Distance to the sun  kg= x kg  Mass of an electron

 321,003,271 cubic miles of water on the planet = ________________  352,670,000,000,000,000,000 gallons of milk = __________________  grams in a grain of sand = _____________  252,088 miles to the moon = _________________