Chapter 1 The Nature of Science

I. How Science Works Science – the process of trying to understand the world Science – the process of trying to understand the world Technology – the use of knowledge gained through science to make new products or new tools people can use. Technology – the use of knowledge gained through science to make new products or new tools people can use.

II. Scientific Problem Solving A. Scientific Method – step-by-step procedures of scientific problem solving B. Steps of the Scientific Method

1. Recognize the Problem a) Observations – bits of information you gather with your senses b) Inferences – conclusions about observations Link to Optical Illusions Worksheet

2.Form a Hypothesis a) Hypothesis – a statement that can be tested (If – then statements) b) Theory – an explanation supported by results of many experiments Theories attempt to explain why something happens. Theories attempt to explain why something happens. c) Law – describes the behavior of something in nature Generally, laws predict or describe what will happen in a given situation but don’t always explain why it happens. Generally, laws predict or describe what will happen in a given situation but don’t always explain why it happens.

3. Test your Hypothesis (Perform an Experiment) a) independent variable – the one factor, that you will change in an experiment b) dependent variable – the factor or outcome that will be measured in an experiment c) constants – factors in an experiment that stay the same d) control – standard used to compare

4. Analyze your Data a) can be number data or adjectives

5.Draw a Conclusion a) You should repeat experiments more than once to reduce any errors. b) If you conclude that your hypothesis was incorrect, then form a new hypothesis and start over again c) If you conclude that your hypothesis was correct, then you are finished. You have found the answer to the problem.

6. Communicate (Share your results)

III. Scientific Measurement In science we measure using the metric system – system of measurement based on powers of 10.

Type of Measurement DefinitionTool Base Unit Length The distance between 2 points Meter StickMeter (m) Mass The amount of matter an object has Balance Scale Gram (g) Volume The amount of space an object takes up Graduated Cylinder Liter (L) Measurement ws #1Measurement ws #3Measurement ws #2

King Henry Died drinking chocolate milk Kilo-Hecto- Deka- Base deci- centi- milli- 1000m 100m 10m 1m 0.1m 0.01m 0.001m ___km = 5,000 m___cm = 8 m ___km = 70 m ___cm = 0.5 m