Scientific Method
series of steps that help scientists solve a problem
Steps of the Scientific Method (7)
1. Observe and State the Problem
2. Form a hypothesis
3. Test the hypothesis
4. Record and analyze data
5. Form a conclusion
6. Replication
7. Theory
hypothesis
an tentative educated explanation for the observation or problem
controlled experiment
2 part test that allows the scientist to specifically test the effects of a single factor, called the independent variable . (control setup vs. experimental setup)
constants
- any other variable that may have an effect on the outcome of your experiment must be kept constant so that the only variable that will cause change is the one you are testing
independent variable
the factor being tested or manipulated during the experiment
(The IF in the hypothesis)
dependent variable
the change measured during the experiment
direct result of the independent variable
relationship between the independent variable and dependent variable
the dependent variable depends upon the independent variable
ex. the growth of the plant (DV) is dependent on the amount of light (IV) it gets.
quantitative data
information collected from an experiment that is numerical
ex. The tree produced 75 apples.
The mouse weighed 20 grams.
qualitative data
information from an experiment that is descriptive
ex. The flower is purple.
The sand feels coarse.
CER
Claim
Evidence
Reasoning
Used to form a conclusion
First aid kit
used to mend minor injuries.
goggles
used to protect eyes from chemicals, glass, etc.
lab apron
worn to protect clothing from splashing chemicals
Safety Shower
used when someone has spilled harmful chemicals on their skin
eye wash station
used for an eye emergency
used for 15-20 minutes to flush chemical out of the eye
fire blanket
used for smothering flames, used if fire is on a person
fire extinguisher
used to put out small fires
gloves
worn to protect skin on the hands from chemicals or heat
temperature
uses a thermometer to measure the amount of heat present
measured in degrees Celsius
volume
used to measure the amount of a liquid
uses a graduated cylinder
measured in mL or liters
observation
using the senses to study the world (sight, sound, smell, taste, touch)
Mass
used to measure the amount of matter in an object
uses a triple beam balance
measured in grams
mortar and pestle
tool used to crush or grind a substance
beaker
simple container for stirring, mixing and heating materials
test tube
slender container that can hold small amounts of liquid
erlenmeyer flask
container with wide base, cylindrical neck
good for swirling, mixing and heating chemicals without spilling
graduated cylinder
used to measure the volume of a liquid
read at the meniscus
petri dish
used to grow bacteria or hold small organisms
pipet
used to transfer liquids
medicine dropper
used to transfer small amounts of liquids (few drops) from one container to another
forceps
used to grasp small objects
test tube tongs
tool used to pick up a hot test tube
hot hand gripper
protection for the hands from hot objects
pipet pump
used to draw liquids up into a graduated pipet
glass stir rod
used for stirring chemical solutions