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