Intro to Science Scientific Method

1. Observation Observe a: –Problem –Question Question

2. Hypothesis Have an educated guess of what the result may be The hypothesis must be testable Carbonated Water Potassium Benzoate Caramel Color Natural Flavors Aspartame Citric Acid Phosphoric Acid Caffeine

3. Experiment Experiment Tests using –Control – group used for comparison, does not receive variable –Variables – the factors that change independentdependent

A snickers after every meal will make you fat. I will have 30 people in my experiment. They all get the same food and the same amount of exercise. Group A gets a snickers candy bar after each meal. Group B does not get the candy. –What’s my control group? –What’s the independent variable? –What’s the dependent variable?

4. Conclusion Did the experiment support the hypothesis? Decide using your data If everyone in my experiment gets fat, what can I conclude? If only group A gets fat, what can I conclude? If only group B gets fat, what can I conclude?

4. Conclusion Some hypotheses may become: –A theory: An explanation of why and how a specific natural phenomenon occurs. Can never be proven true; a theory is just our best explanation of events. Example: the theory of evolution, the big band theory Some experiments may lead to the formation of –A Law: summarize patterns or relationships that occur; it is a true statement that can consistently be applied. Example: E=mc 2 is the law of conservation of matter and energy

5. Communicate How can you get the word to the street? –Models –And…………… –You tell me, how do you communicate?