Do Now What steps do you know of the scientific method? Put them in order. What do they mean?
What’s Wrong with this Picture?
Scientific Method Determine the problem Research/Background Information Make a hypothesis Experiment/Test your hypothesis Analyze the results Conclusion
Observation vs Inference OBSERVATION – use your 5 senses…just the facts INFERENCE – what you assume based on what you see
Observation vs Inference
Scientific Method Hypothesis – a possible solution/a testable prediction Theory - explanation of “why” based on many observations & experimental results
THEY ARE NOT SET IN STONE! Scientific Method Theories are well-accepted by scientists, but... THEY ARE NOT SET IN STONE! They are revised when new information is discovered.
Scientific Method Determine the problem. My car will not start Make observations/Do research Did you fill up the gas tank? Did you leave a light on? How old are the parts? Make a hypothesis. The battery is dead There is no gas
Scientific Method Test your hypothesis. Analyze the results. How could we test our hypothesis? Analyze the results. What happened during our test? Draw conclusions. Was our hypothesis correct? Is further testing necessary?
Experiment Experiment - organized procedure for testing a hypothesis Key Components: Control – standard for comparison Variable – what changes Repeated trials – for reliability
Do Now 8/30/16 What can you OBSERVE? What can you INFER?
Experiment ACCURATE – capable of providing a correct reading or measurement (exact) PRECISE – can get the results repeatedly (can reproduce the results)
Experiment Types of Variables Independent Variable adjusted by the experimenter what you vary Dependent Variable changes in response to the indep. variable what you measure
Experiment Hypothesis: Storing popcorn in the freezer makes it pop better. Control: Popcorn stored at room temp.
Experiment Variable: Storage temperature Constants: Popcorn brand Freshness Storage time Popper
Experiment Independent Variable: Storage temperature Number of unpopped kernels
Questions
Graphing The Dependent Variable is also called the Responding Variable on the Y-axis “DRY” The Manipulated Variable is also called the Independent Variable on the X-axis “MIX” Independent Variable = Manipulated Variable The scientist chooses to change this detail, to see what effects it will have. Ex. A plant with a light. A plant with no light. Having a light not on is a choice .= independent variable. The Independent Variable is always placed on the X-axis in graphs and first in data tables. Dependent Variable = Responding Variable The scientist has to wait to see the results that have responded to the choices the scientist made to conditions. Ex. One plant grows short, thick stems. The other plant grows tall, weak stems. The difference that occurs between the stems is a surprise. The Dependent Variable is always placed on the Y-axis in graphs and 2nd in data tables. **EVERY GRAPH MUST HAVE A TITLE
Line Graphs… Both sets of data are measured in numbers.
Bar Graphs: The Independent variable is displayed with a NAME, but the measurements (results) are a number.
Composition of the Atmosphere Pie Graph – shows how something is divided into different parts (%).