Chapter 1

The Study of Our World

The Way Science Works Science

Observing, studying, experimenting to find the way that things work and why

Technology The application of science to make our lives

easier

The Way Science Works Scientific theory

An explanation of why something happens Must be tested Must be repeatable Must be able to predict

Scientific law A summary of what happens

Does not explain why

Neither are absolute

The Way Science Works Critical thinking

Using logic and reason to make observations and form conclusions

Scientific method Following a series of steps in order to solve a

problem Use critical thinking

Scientific Method Step 1

Make an observation Write down some observations about the M&M bag

Step 2 Ask a question (form a hypothesis)

Ask a question about what may be inside the M&M bag

Scientific Method Step 3

Test your hypothesis with an experiment Use different variables

Independent (Manipulated) What you choose to measure against

Dependent (Responding) What changes because of your experiment

Constant What stays the same in the experiment

Control What you measure against in the experiment

Let’s try it!

Scientific Method Identify the following in your M&M

experiment Independent Dependent Constant Control

Open your bag of M&M (Don’t drop them!) Separate the colors Count the number of each color

Scientific Method Step 4

Analyze your data Look at your experiment results Record all your observations Answer questions

Analyze your M&M data by answering the following questions Which color had the most? How many were in the bag? Which color had the least? Make comparisons between the colors.

Scientific Method Step 5

Draw a conclusion Sum up what you found Tell whether your hypothesis was true or false

Write 5 sentences about what you found in your M&M experiment Be sure to tell if your hypothesis was true or

false and why

Scientific Method Step 6

Communicate your results Be sure to let others know what you found Use graphs, tables, and pictures Present at a fair or in class Write a report that people can read

Tell the class what you found in your M&M experiment

Ways of Measuring and Reporting Use three main types of graphs

Line graph Show change in data over time

Bar graph Comparing data for several different events

Pie graph Showing parts of a whole

Line Graph

Independent variable

Dependent variable

Bar Graph

Pie Graph

The Way Science Works Qualitative

Data that is reported using statements to describe it

Quantitative Data that is reported using numbers

The Way Science Works Precision

How close together all the measurements are Accuracy

How close you are to what it really should be

Ways of Measuring and Reporting Use the International System of Units (SI)

Known as the metric system Base units of SI

Quantity Unit Abbreviation

Length Meter m

Mass Kilogram kg

Time Second s

Temperature Kelvin K

Electric current Ampere A

Amount of substance Mole mol

Luminous intensity Candela cd

Measurements in Science Measurements made with different tools

depending on what is needed Time Length Mass Volume Temperature

Weight vs. Mass Mass = amount of matter Weight = Earth’s force pulling on matter

Converting MeasurementsKilo(k)

Hecto(h)

Deka(da)

MetersLitersGrams

Deci(d)

Centi(c)

Milli(m)

1000 100 10 .1 .01 .001

54 g to kg 62 m to cm 93 mL to hL

0.054

0.00093

54

626200

93