OBJECTIVE 1: THE NATURE OF SCIENCE

An organized procedure to solve a problem, evaluate a procedure or set of situations. A way of looking at things that is based on observations and data.Evaluating the data and coming up with conclusions based on data.The conclusion can be positive, negative, or undetermined.

The Scientific Method

1

•Ask a question. State a problem.

2

•Do research.

3

•State a hypothesis.

4

•Test the hypothesis. Do an experiment.

5

•Observe, measure, and gather data.

6

•Analyze data and draw conclusions.

7

•Report results and evaluate what's next.

Scientific Method Procedures Observation

The foundation of the scientific method Leads to a question regarding the event or

characteristic

Hypothesis Is an “educated guess” It is a tentative cause and effect statement Has to be testable Is rejected or accepted at the conclusion of

an experiment

Terminology Hypothesis: a possible answer to a scientific

question Q: “How will studying affect my test score?” Hypothesis: “If I study for… then my test score will…”

Prediction: states the expected outcome of an experiment designed to test the hypothesis “My test score will increase.”

Inference: a logical interpretation based on prior knowledge and experience “I have always done poorly in science, so I will do poorly this time too.” or“If I study more, I will be prepared, and I will do better.

Scientific Method Procedures

Experiment Experiments must be repeatable and reproducible

independent variable - this will be the single variable you elect to manipulate or change.

dependent variable - this will be the single observation, or the result you will be observing and measuring.

controlled variables - these are factors that you will keep constant (“keep controlled”) during the experiment, so that they do not affect the dependent variable.

Scientific Method Procedures

Collect/ Analyze Data Always report ALL results

(the good, the bad, and the ugly!) Look for patterns in the data. Make charts

and graphs Conclusion

Look for what happened and why it happened.

Look for trends and patterns. Make a statement on what you see. A no difference is an OK conclusion.

Predicting Trends in Data

You will be asked to make a conclusion or make a prediction based on information that they give you.

Test Taking Tip: When you are drawing a conclusion or predicting a trend in the data, you have to base your answer on the data given.

This means that they have to give you the answer! Do NOT rely on anything but what is given to you. If an answer choice is about something not mentioned

or goes against the given data, it is NOT the right answer.

On TAKS, there should be an obvious connection. Look for the connection in the statement of the

problem. Look for what is held the same and what is changed

and measured.

A picture is worth a 1000 words. A chart is a way or organize data.A graph is a picture of the data that helps you see trends and patterns.

Graphs & Charts

Circle Graphs or Pie Graphs A circle graph is used when you are

showing parts of a whole or percentages of a total.

Energy Sources

Natural GasCoalCrude OilNuclearOther

A Line or Scatter Graph

A line or scatter graph is used when you are trying to show a connection between to variables.

How does what you change (the independent variable; usually on the x-axis) connect to the thing you measure (the dependent variable; usually on the y-axis).

When you have two sets of numerical data, you use a line graph.

Line Graph

Line graphs are used when one variable (the independent variable, the year) affects another variable(the dependent, the number of graduates) .

Line Graph

Scatter Graph

Bar Graphs The data for this graph are non-numerical

and discrete for at least one variable. There are no dependent and independent

variables. Axes may be reversed to give graph with

the categories on the x axis. Bar graphs can therefore be drawn

horizontally or vertically. This type of graph is very useful for

comparing two or more similar items.

Bar Graph: Vertical

Coal Natural Gas

Solar Crude Oil Nuclear Other0

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20000

25000Energy Usage

Energy Types

Energy

Bar Graph: Horizontal

Math

Science

English

S.Studies

French

Choir

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Grade

Courses

Graphs ?

Be able to read them. Look at each axis for clues.

Look for units. Look for trends and be able to predict what

may happen next. For TAKS, the independent variable, the

one you change or manipulate is graphed on the x-axis. The dependent variable, the one you measure, or the one that responds to the changes you made, are graphed on the y-axis.

Dry Mix : Dependent, Responsive on Y-axis : Manipulated, Independent on the X-axis.

Know the lab safety symbols and procedures.

Safety

Be Safe

ALWAYS WEAR GOGGLES and APRONS when told to do so! ALWAYS POUR ACID SLOWLY INTO WATER! NEVER water

into acid! Water and electricity do not mix. Never work alone in the lab. Long hair tied back. Wear proper clothing. Wear closed toe shoes. Do not eat or drink in the lab. No playing in lab area. Read the MSDS sheets before working with chemicals. Dispose of chemicals and materials properly. Know where the safety equipment is located: eye wash,

fire extinguisher, shower, exits, … Do not wear rubber gloves when dealing with heat. Rubber

melts.

Safety with Gases or Inhalants

Do not inhale any gas or vapor unless directed to do so by your teacher. WAFT any scent to your nostrils to

ensure that you do not destroy the mucus membranes of your respiratory system.

Handle materials that emit vapors or gases in a fume/ vent hood.

Work in a well ventilated room. Use common sense.

Accidents, Injuries, Equipment Breaks Report any accident or injury to your

teacher IMMEDIATELY!

If you cannot notify the teacher because of your injury – have your lab partner tell the teacher!

Use Common Sense

When using scalpels, sharp probes, and knives do not cut objects while holding them in your hand.

Cut objects on a suitable work surface. Always cut in a direction away from your body.

Hot glass looks like cold glass. Use tongs or insulated/ thermal holders

when handling heated objects. Never point the open end of a test tube at

yourself or others when heating it

Safety Symbols

The 4 C’s

Caustic: capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue.

Carcinogen: any substance or agent that tends to produce a cancer

Corrosive: having the quality of corroding or eating away

Combustible: capable of catching fire and burning

Caustic or Corrosive Radioactive

Toxic or Poison Flammable when wet

Flammable Gas Non-Flammable Gas

Radioactive, Toxic, Bio Hazard

Run Away

Electrical Shock Hot Surface

Radioactive Laser

Cryogenics, Cold Magnetic Fields

EM Waves Compressed Gas

Biohazard Bio Waste

Carcinogen

Corrosive, Caustic Environmental Hazard

Explosive Flammable, Inflammable

Oxidizer Toxic, Poison

No Eat or Drink No Entry

No Smoking No Open Flame

No Cell Phones Just plain NO

Eye Wash Station First Aid

Fire Extinguisher Fire Blanket

Safety Shower Eye Wash Station

MSDS: Material Data Safety Sheet

Lab Equipment

Lab Equipment

Know what you need to measure different quantities.

Clock or Stopwatch to measure time Balance to measure mass, (weight) Graduated cylinder, buret, beaker, flask to

measure liquid volume Ruler to measure distance pH meter to measure pH: acidity or bascity Litmus paper indicates base or acid Thermometer to measure heat or temperature

Lab Equipment

Know proper procedures for using a balance, burner, water bath

Know that the instrument with the most (finest) markings (or divisions) is the most precise and most accurate.

Be able to read the instrument with units and find the difference between readings.