scientific method and model notes
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Scientific Method and Models NotesTRANSCRIPT
Holt: Ch. 1, Sections 2 & 3 Fusion: Unit 1, Lesson 3
a way in which scientists answer questions and solve problems
Organized processGenerally, 6 stepsUse all or someRepeat steps
Ask a question After making observations Only 1
Form a hypothesis Use what you know If…then Testable Not right or wrong Possible answer to question
Test the hypothesis Design an experiment Controlled Constants Variables
Independent and dependent
Measurements/Observations/Data
Analyze the results Calculations Tables/graphs Relationships
What is data? It is information gathered during an experiment.
It is organized into a data table and displayed visually as a graph.
BAR GRAPHS: can be used to show how something changes or to compare items. have an x-axis (horizontal)
and a y-axis (vertical) the x-axis has
independent variable the y-axis has numbers
dependent variable
LINE GRAPHS: can be used to show how something changes over time
x-axis has numbers for the time period
y-axis has numbers for what is being measured.
can be used when you're plotting data that has peaks (ups) and valleys (downs), or that was collected in a short time period.
Used for two sets of numerical data (ex: time and temp)
Draw conclusions Again: not right or wrong Does the data support your hypothesis? A guide for future investigation
Communicate results Important! Papers, presentations, web site Keeps science going!
A model is a representation of an object or system
Uses something familiar to help you understand something that is not familiar.
Physical, mathematical and conceptual
Mathematical equations and data
Calculations- such as force and acceleration
Many done by computers
Based on certain “concepts”
Take some data into account, not others
Ex: Age of the universe vs. age of nearby stars
Scientific Theories A theory is an explanation
for many hypotheses and observations
Supported by repeated tests
Can predict what may happen
Scientists use models to explain and change their theories
Examples: Big Bang Theory, theory of evolution
Scientific Laws A law is a summary of
many experimental results and observations
When a model correctly predicts results of many different experiments
Tell you what happens- not why
Examples: law of the conservation of mass