the scientific process by mr. lin. what is science? science is simply the solving of problems in our...
TRANSCRIPT
The Scientific Process
By Mr. Lin
What is Science?
• Science is simply the solving of problems in our natural world.
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How Do We Solve Scientific Problems?
• We use a step-by-step process.
– This process is called the “Scientific Method.”
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Scientific Method: Step #1
• Question
• No question, no point to experiment, no science.
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Scientific Method: Step #2
• Hypothesis– An educated guess to
answer the question.– MUST BE TESTABLE.
• Use “If . . . then . . .”
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Good Hypotheses• If I place a rock into
water, then it will sink.
• If I use a prism, then light will be split into many different colors.
• If my mom adds sugar to cereal, then my sister will eat more.
• If my class gets rid of “transition time” in class, then they will get more recess.
Image Courtesy of http://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~gilmore/images/collection/misc/prism.gif
Scientific Method: Step #3• Experiment
• Experiments often have 2 parts.
– One setup where everything is left alone• This is called the “Control.” • Absolutely nothing is change.
– And another setup where only one thing is changed.• Constant: Anything that never changes between the two setups• Independent Variable: The one thing you changed in the second
setup.• Dependent Variable: What ends up happening because you
changed the Independent Variable.
Confused?
• Let me walk you through a simple experiment.
Does Salty Water Freeze As Fast As Fresh Water?
Sample Question
If I add one teaspoons of salt to one glass of water, then it will
freeze slower than one glass of fresh water.
Hypothesis
The Experiment
Experiment
• Independent Variable:– The ONE (and only
one) thing we make different from the control.
• Dependent Variable:– What happens
because of the independent variable
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Independent Variable Versus Dependent Variable
Scientific Method: Step #4
• Observation
• Use your five senses (seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling) to notice any dependent variables.
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Scientific Method: Step #5• Collect Data
• Take notes. Jot down interesting numbers and observations.
Scientific Method: Step #6
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
FreshWater
SaltWater
• Analyze
• Make some sense out of the data. – Make graphs– Draw pictures– What can you
infer because of the data?
Min
utes
nee
ded
till f
roze
n
Scientific Method: Step #7• Conclusion
• What is the answer to your question based on the experiment.– Do you need to
perform more experiments?
– Are there new questions?
– Are there new hypotheses?
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Scientific Method: Summary • Question• Hypothesis• Experiment
– Control– Constants– Independent Variable– Dependent Variable
• Observe• Collect Data• Analyze• ConclusionImage Courtesy of
http://www.hmc.psu.edu/diabetes/Photos%20and%20Graphs/j0400425.jpg