Scientific Method and Measurements Mrs. Steele

The Steps: 1.Observations and Question 2.Hypothesis Should be written in if/ then” format. Your hypothesis should try to explain what you have observed. 3.Experiment Keep in mind that your trying to disprove your hypothesis. Remember the difference in a theory and a law. A theory is an idea that stems from a hypothesis that has not yet been disproven, but has not been proven for every instance. A law is something that has been proven for every circumstance.

Steps Cont. 4.Data collect/analyze Remember that the more data you have the more definitive your results are. Consider including multiple trials and limit the number of variables and include a control group to compare your data too. 5.Conclusions Your conclusion should either disprove or fail to disprove your hypothesis. Keep in mind that your not trying to prove your hypothesis. ( unforeseen circumstances) 6.Share Your Results Science is always changing and its important to share your results with others (saves time/directs research)

1. Observe and Question Use a combination of your 5 senses to observe something in the word. Question what you observe Questions should be directive: Why does something do/smell/feel/look/sound… What could/should/will happen if I change _________. Is it possible to reach a desired result?

2. Hypothesis Your hypothesis should be written in “if/then” format. Its not so much an educated guess, but a directed statement developed from the observing/questioning step. Keep in mind, that your making a statement that you will be trying to disprove. (Things that can’t be disproven seem more concrete or true, but realize that there may be advances in technology, science, and world knowledge that will allow for your statement to be tested again and again.)

3. Experiment Every aspect of your experiment should be directed towards disproving your hypothesis. Your Experiment should have several aspects: A control group (What ever variable you are changing should not be changed in this group) A independent variable you are testing (The change you are testing, your what if I did _____ or took away _____?) The dependent variable is what is changed as a result of changing the independent variable. If independent variable, then dependent variable.

4. Data and Results Most people make the mistake of thinking the most important part of the scientific method is the experiment, but your results and data is very important and will be reviewed, criticized, interpreted, and objectified by so many. Your Data should: Be unbiased try not to include anything that seems opinionated. Data needs to be more quantitative and your results qualitative. Your data should include everything even definitive results or unexpected results. At this point your not trying to prove or disprove anything your only recording what you observe by performing the experiment.

5. Conclusion This is the point in the scientific method when you ask does your data disprove your hypothesis. Remember when forming your conclusions you should realize that it is your interpretation of what the data says with respect to the hypothesis. (Not everyone will agree) When writing your conclusions out it should be an expression similar to: The data failed to disprove… The data disproved the hypothesis by… (You should never say the data proves … because it will be tested in the future by others and in other ways)

6. Share your Results Science is continually changing and advancing. It is in many ways the only subject that is composed of others interpretation of the world around them. Keeping that in mind tell the world what you have found, but know that others will test your hypothesis if you find its not disproven by your data and in some cases even if you say its disproven. Science is driven by curiosity, opinions, misconceptions and others ability to accept or deny another persons opinions. A good scientist should invite others to continue to test their theories to reach lives truths.

Measurements Mrs. Steele

Basics about Measurements Way of collecting quantitative data during an experiment. Science uses the Metric System. You can measure: weight, mass, length, depth, and volume. Remember that density is a formula that can be calculated but is not a measurement. D=m/v

Length, Height, Width, Depth In Science measurements are done according to the metric scale: Centimeters instead of inches, Meters instead of yards etc. Using these measurements we can also calculate perimeter, area, speed, acceleration etc. Tools: Meter stick Units: cm, m

Mass and Weight The mass of an object is the amount of matter in an object. (weight refers to the force on an object by gravity) Tools: Scale, Balance ( many different types) Units: grams

Volume Volume the amount of space taken up by an object. The object can be solid or liquid. Tools: Liquid volume is measured using a graduated cylinder. Solid volume can be measured by using fluid displacement. Units: ml, l

Density The density of an object varies dependent on the temperature and pressure of an object. Density is a calculation of the mass divided by the volume. D=m/v Ex: If a liquid is heated it the volume increases, so the same amount of matter occupies a larger area and is said to be less dense.