1. Scientific Method
A series of steps designed to solve a problem or learn more about the world around you.

2. Experiment
A procedure carried out to test a hypothesis

3. Purpose
The goal or question of the experiment
What temperature of water will make a denture tablet dissolve faster?

4. Independent Variable changed on purpose The “cause”
There can only be one IV
The temperature of water that you
put the denture tablet in

5. Dependent Variable What happens in the experiment
A measurement (specific data)
The “effect”
This is a result of changing
the independent variable.
How many minutes it takes for the denture
tablet to dissolve

6. Control Part of the experiment that is used as a comparison to see
if there was an effect
Examples: putting a denture tablet in
room temperature water (normal conditions)

7. Hypothesis An educated guess about the outcome of an experiment.
If (independent variable is changed) then (this is how the dependent variable will change).
If the temperature of water increases then
the denture tablet will dissolve faster.

8. Constants Things that are kept the same.
Needed so that we get accurate results and only have one IV.
For the denture tablet experiment:
Same amount of water
Same brand of denture tablet
Same size beaker or container

9. Procedure A series of steps in the experiment.
Should be able to repeated by more than one person

10. Repeated Trials Doing an experiment more than once
Necessary to check for accurate results
Do we get the same results each time?

11. Conclusion A final statement that compares the data to the hypothesis
Describes the results of the experiment

12. Example #1 Will a plant grow taller if it is given more fertilizer?
What is the independent variable?

13. Example #1 IV = Amount of fertilizer
Will a plant grow taller if it is given more fertilizer?
What is the independent variable?
IV = Amount of fertilizer

14. Example #1 Will a plant grow taller if it is given more fertilizer?
What is the dependent variable?

15. Example #1 DV = How tall the plant grows
Will a plant grow taller if it is given more fertilizer?
What is the dependent variable?
DV = How tall the plant grows

16. Example #1 Will a plant grow taller if it is given more fertilizer?
What are 3 constants for this experiment?

17. Example #1 Will a plant grow taller if it is given more fertilizer?
What are 3 constants for this experiment?
Kind of plant
Amount of soil
Amount of water