The Nature of Science
I. Scientific Method
A. State the Problem that you have observed
1. **- use 5 senses, opinion
2. **- using equipment, standard units
B. Research to Form a Hypothesis
1. is an educated guess or prediction stated in “If...then...” form
2. **- specific to general; making a general rule based on specific observations
a. most common type of reasoning, if _____ changed, then _____ would result
b. **
c. **
3. **- (general to specific) suggests something may be true of a specific case
based on general observations
a. if _____ results, then _____ must have happened
b. **
c. **
4. Forming a valid hypothesis requires background research on your topic
a. ** are a good place for current research findings
b. ** are for scientific information generally accepted by most
c. ** could help with your topic
C. Experimenting
1. a structured procedure to test a hypothesis
2. FIVE components of an experiment
a. **- (IV) the thing that “I” change or manipulate
b. **- (DV) the thing that is measured or observed, the measurement that “depends” on what we change
c. **- things we purposely keep the same throughout the exp.
d. **- group used as baseline measurement to compare other groups,
(NO TREATMENT GROUP)
e. **- redoing experiment to rule out error (bad breath)
D. Collecting and Measuring Data
1. **- (descriptive) using 5 senses, opinion
2. **- (numerical) using standard units; the metric system (SI)
a. best to use b/c it’s more accurate and reliable
b. it allows others to repeat experiments and compare data
E. Interpreting Data (constructing graphs)
1. **: The effect of (IV) on (DV)
2. **- (including units!) IV on the X-axis, DV on the Y-axis
3. ** (data w/in range, consistent interval, start at 0)
F. Draw Conclusions
1. summarize **, including analysis of data
2. discussion of problems experienced during experiment
3. discuss ** that can be made or enhancements for future exp.
~~~~~ If a question is not testable using the scientific method, then **!!! ~~~~~
SI units NotesDO the Metric Conversions Sheet below for Classwork:
The Metric System
Length, Width, Height- distance from one point to another
meter (m) (slightly longer than a yard)
Volume- the amount of space an object takes up.
liter (L) (slightly larger than a quart)
Mass- the amount of matter in an object.
gram (g)- (1g is approximately the same mass as a paper clip)
Temperature- measures the speed of molecules (hot or cold)
degrees Celcius (C)- freezing point of water 0C, boiling point of water 100C
~~~F to C use 5/9 (F -32)~~~C to F use 9/5 (C) + 32
Density- measures how packed molecules are within a certain area
{mass (g)/volume(l)}
Metric Stairs
k ____** add these letters to the blank after the prefix
(m = meter, l = liter, g = gram)
h ____** for each step UP, move LEFT
(1000 mm = 100 cm)
** for each step DOWN, move RIGHT
da ___(1.0 m = 10 dm)
m, l, g
d ____
c ____
larger than the base unit smaller than base unit
m ____
KingHenryDiedunfortunatelyDrinkingChocolateMilk
(base unit)
KiloHectoDecaDeciCentiMilli
Metric Conversions ClassworkName: Period:
1. 12 cl = ** ml15. 1 cl = ** ml29. 4000 m = ** km
2. 11000 g = ** kg16. 6000mm = ** m30. 7L = ** ml
3. 2 L = ** cl17. 1000 L = ** kl31. 9 kl = ** L
4. 7 kl = ** L18. 30 mm = ** cm32. 3 m = ** mm
5. 4 L = ** cl19. 3 kg = ** g33. 40 mg = ** cg
6. 110 ml = ** cl20. 7 cg = ** mg34. 32 F = ** C
7. 9 m = ** cm21. 1 m = ** cm35. 57 C = ** F
8. 2 km = ** m22. 100 mm = ** cm36. -10 C = ** F
9. 800 cl = ** L23. 500 cl = ** L37. 110 F = ** C
10. 12000 L = ** kl24. 12000 ml = ** L38. 73 F = ** C
11. 90 ml = ** cl25. 5 cm = ** mm39. 80 C = ** F
12. 6000 g = ** kg26. 5000 m = ** km40. 190 F = ** C
13. 1000 cm = ** m27. 11g = ** cg
14. 2 cm = ** mm28. 8000 L = ** kl