Scientific Inquiry

Topics How Scientists Think The process of inquiry How Science Develops References Metric System

How Scientists Think Scientists use the skills of observing, inferring, and predicting. Scientists use the skills of observing, inferring, and predicting.

How Scientists Think Observing – Using one or more senses to gather information Observing – Using one or more senses to gather information Inferring – An interpretation based upon observation and prior knowledge Inferring – An interpretation based upon observation and prior knowledge

How Scientists Think Predicting – The process of forecasting what will happen based upon evidence Predicting – The process of forecasting what will happen based upon evidence

Observing There are two types of observations There are two types of observations Qualitative Qualitative Observations that deals with characteristics that are not expressed in numbers Observations that deals with characteristics that are not expressed in numbers

Observing Quantitative Quantitative Observations that deals with numbers, amounts, or measurements Observations that deals with numbers, amounts, or measurements

Inferring Based upon reasoning from what is already known (evidence/data)

Predicting Predictions are based upon past experience, data, or evidence. A guess has no evidence, data, or past experience to support it. TOC

The process of Inquiry Scientific inquiry refers to the different ways scientists study the natural world. Scientific inquiry refers to the different ways scientists study the natural world. Scientific inquiry use a process called the scientific method to gain scientific knowledge. Scientific inquiry use a process called the scientific method to gain scientific knowledge.

Scientific Method Collection of scientific facts through observation and measurements Collection of scientific facts through observation and measurements Development of one or more working hypotheses to explain the facts Development of one or more working hypotheses to explain the facts

Scientific Method Development of experiment to test the hypothesis Development of experiment to test the hypothesis Acceptance, modification, or rejection of hypothesis based on extensive testing. Acceptance, modification, or rejection of hypothesis based on extensive testing.

Scientific Process The scientific method is divided into a series of steps or a process

Scientific process Identify the problem/pose a question Identify the problem/pose a question Investigate the problem Investigate the problem Formulate a hypothesis Formulate a hypothesis Test the hypothesis Test the hypothesis

Scientific Process Collect and organize data Collect and organize data Analyze data Analyze data Draw a conclusion Draw a conclusion Communicating Communicating

Identify the Problem Pose a Question Scientific Inquiry can not answer Questions based upon opinion, judgment or values. Problems and questions that can be addressed through observation are the type that can be answered through scientific inquiry

Investigate the problem Once a problem has been identified or a question asked, then the additional information is gathered Once a problem has been identified or a question asked, then the additional information is gathered This is done to find out what is already known at to determine a hypothesis This is done to find out what is already known at to determine a hypothesis

Formulate a hypothesis A hypothesis is a possible answer to a scientific question or problem A hypothesis is a possible answer to a scientific question or problem The hypothesis must be testable through observation or experimentation. The hypothesis must be testable through observation or experimentation.

Test the hypothesis In order to determine whether a hypothesis is true or not, scientists design experiments to test the hypothesis. In order to determine whether a hypothesis is true or not, scientists design experiments to test the hypothesis.

Test the Hypothesis Scientist must be able to identify and/or account for the various types of variables (factors) that can change in an experiment Scientist must be able to identify and/or account for the various types of variables (factors) that can change in an experiment The two main types of variables are: The two main types of variables are: Independent (manipulated) Variable Independent (manipulated) Variable Dependent (Responding) Variable Dependent (Responding) Variable

Collect and organize data During the experiment data/information must be collected and organize into a format so that it can be used During the experiment data/information must be collected and organize into a format so that it can be used Data may be organized into: Data may be organized into: Tables Tables Graphs Graphs

Analyze data Once the data is organized scientists must determine what the data is saying. Once the data is organized scientists must determine what the data is saying. The data is organized into a graph which says that as time increases the distance is not changing. This means that the object is not moving.

Drawing a Conclusion After scientists interpret their data, they draw a conclusion about their hypothesis. After scientists interpret their data, they draw a conclusion about their hypothesis. A conclusion states whether or not the data supports the hypothesis. A conclusion states whether or not the data supports the hypothesis.

Communication Communicating is the sharing of ideas and conclusions with others through writing (publications) and speaking. Communicating is the sharing of ideas and conclusions with others through writing (publications) and speaking.

Communicating When scientists share the design of an experiment other scientists can repeat that experiment to check results. When scientists share the design of an experiment other scientists can repeat that experiment to check results.

Communicating Communicating information often leads to new questions, new hypotheses and new investigations Communicating information often leads to new questions, new hypotheses and new investigations

How Science Develops Scientists use models and develop laws and theories to help explain the natural world. Scientists use models and develop laws and theories to help explain the natural world.

How Science Develops Scientific Models Scientific Models A representation of an object or a process A representation of an object or a process Scientific laws Scientific laws A statement that describes what scientists expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditions A statement that describes what scientists expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditions Scientific Theories Scientific Theories An explanation for a wide range of observations or experimental results An explanation for a wide range of observations or experimental results

Scientific Model There are three basic types of models scientists use to represent objects and/or processes Physical model Physical model Computer model Computer model Mathematical Model Mathematical Model

Physical Model Model of a car made out of meat

Computer Model 3D computer model of bullet car

Mathematical Model A mathematical schematic of a car during derailment

Scientific law A scientific law describes an observed pattern in nature without attempting to explain it. A scientific law describes an observed pattern in nature without attempting to explain it. Example: Law of gravity Example: Law of gravity

Scientific Theory A scientific theory is determined when many observations can be connected by one explanation A scientific theory is determined when many observations can be connected by one explanation Examples: Atomic Theory Examples: Atomic Theory Future evidence may not support a theory in which case the theory may be modified or discarded all together. Future evidence may not support a theory in which case the theory may be modified or discarded all together.

Summary of Scientific Process

The Metric System The standard system of measurement used by scientists around the world is known as the Système International d’Unités (SI). The standard system of measurement used by scientists around the world is known as the Système International d’Unités (SI). SI units are based on multiples of 10. SI units are based on multiples of 10. Each unit is 10 times larger than the next smallest unit and one tenth the size of the next largest unit Each unit is 10 times larger than the next smallest unit and one tenth the size of the next largest unit

Base Metric Units Scientist have to measure Scientist have to measure Lengths Lengths Mass/Weight Mass/Weight Volume Volume Temperature Temperature Time Time There is a base unit for each of these measures There is a base unit for each of these measures

Base Units Measure Base Unit Length Meter (m) Mass Gram (g) Volume Liter (l) Temperature Celsius ( o C) Time Seconds (s)

SI Prefixes Kilo (k) = 1000 Hecto (h) = 100 Deka (da) = 1O Deci (d) = 0.1 Centi (c) =0.01 Milli (m) = meter liter gram

Metric Nomenclature For example: A 6 inch ruler measures 15.24cm = m = km The describing of a measurement depends on how big or small the measure is in relation to the base unit. Each measure is the same length, but it is much more convenient to use centimeters to describe the length of this ruler.

Metric Conversions The relationship between two units is called the conversion factor. Conversion factors are used to calculate the conversion of SI units. For example: 1km = 1000m This is the relationship between kilometers and meters

Metric Conversions meter gram liter DecaHectoKilo Decicentimilli Base 1/101/1001/1000 Metric units may be easily converted by moving the decimal point. For example to convert 80cm to meters move the decimal point 2 space to the Left. Therefore 80 cm becomes 0.8 meters

Metric Conversions meter gram liter DecaHectoKiloDecicentimilli Base 1/101/1001/1000 To convert 0.75km to meters move the decimal point 3 spaces to the right. Therefore 0.75km becomes 750meters

General Rule If going from high unit to low unit move decimal point to the Right If going from low unit to high unit move decimal point to the Left

Using Conversion Factors To convert any measure from kilometers to meters or from meters to kilometers the measure is multiplied by the conversion factor which is written as a fraction: km or m m km depending on what unit of the original measure is.

Calculating the Conversion Converting 80 centimeters into meters. The conversion factor for centimeters to Meters is 1m = 100cm (1m/100cm) 80 centimeters is multiplied by the conversion factor 80 cm x 1m = 80cm = 0.8meters 100cm 100cm

References Frank, David et. al. Science Explorer: Physical Science Boston MA, Pearson Prentice Hall FCAT Power Words June 26, 2007 Sarasota Middle school Predicting The Future June 26, 2007 CSL Cartoon Stock Szilagyi, Mike 3D Bullet Car Philadelphia Trolley Tracks Tank Car Structural Integrity Volpe Center: Structures and Dynamics Division June 27, 2007 H, Mark Entry #78 Biome Blogs http//biomeblog.typepad.com/the_bioes_blog/meat_carthumb.jpg

References Tarbuck, Edward and Fredrick Lutgens. Earth Science 2006 Pearson Prentice Hall Boston MA. It’s Your planet