Science Skills

Science A system of knowledge and the methods used to find knowledge Begins with curiosity & ends with discovery

Technology The use of knowledge to solve practical problems Related to science

Figure 3 Branches of Science

Scientific Method An organized plan for gathering, organizing & communicating information Used for problem solving or to explain an observation

Figure 7

Figure 7

Figure 7

Figure 7

Figure 7

Figure 7

Scientific Method Vocabulary Observation – obtaining information through 5 senses Hypothesis – a proposed answer to a question If IV is related to DV then . . . because . . . Variable – any factor in an experiment that can be changed

Controlled Experiment An experiment in which one variable (IV) is deliberately changed, all other variables are kept constant Manipulated Variable/Independent Variable (IV) – causes change in another variable Responding Variable/Dependent Variable (DV) – changes in response to IV Control (C) – isolates the IV Controlled Variables (CV) – all variables kept constant in an experiment

More Vocabulary Fact – repeatable observations Law – repeated observations & experiments that summarize patterns in nature Theory – well-tested explanation for a set of observations (fact & law) Model – representation of an object or event

Scientific Notation A way of expressing a value as the product of a number between 1 & 10 and a power of 10 Makes very large or very small numbers easier to work with ie. 300,000,000 = 3.0 x 108 .0000000088 = 8.8 x 10-9

SI – International System of Units aka Metric system Length – straight-line distance between two points (meter – m) Mass – quantity of matter in an object (gram – g) Volume – amount of space an object occupies (l x w x h = m3) Density – ratio of mass : volume (kg/m3) Temperature – measure of thermal energy Kelvin (K)—Celsius (C)

Common SI Measuring Units Figure 13 Common SI Measuring Units

Kids Have Dropped Over Dead Converting Metrics Metric Conversion Metric Prefixes: Kilo Hecto Deka Object Deci Centi Milli Object is suffix (meter, gram, liter, second, etc.) Conversion Acronym: Kids Have Dropped Over Dead Converting Metrics

Dimensional Analysis Unit Factor Method/Dimensional Analysis: converting a given result from one system of units to another. Rules for Dimensional Analysis: Start with what value is known, proceed to the unknown. Draw the dimensional lines. (RR Tracks) Insert the unit relationships. (1 to bigger unit) Cancel the units. Multiply across and divide, include units in your answer.

= = = = Dimensional Analysis 750 g x 1 kg 750 g g 1 kg 750 1 kg 750 kg Step1: Find out how kilograms are in 1 gram, 1kg=1000g. Step 2: Insert numbers into railroad tracks. Solve Q: 750 g ______ kg 750 g x 1 kg 750 g g 1 kg 750 1 kg 750 kg 750 kg = = = = 0.750 0.750 kg kg 1000 1000 1 1000 g 1 1000 g 1 x 1000

= = = = Dimensional Analysis 4 km ______ cm 4 x 1000 x 100 4 4 km 400,000 400,000 cm = = 400,000 cm 400,000 cm 1 1 or or 4 x 105 cm 4 x 105 cm

Precision Gauge of how exact a measurement is Significant figures – all known digits in a measurement Fewer significant figures less precision Accuracy – closeness of measurement to actual value

Scientific Data and Analysis GRAPHING: Scientific Data and Analysis

GRAPHING: Graphs are pictures of data Graphs are tools for presenting lots of info in a small space

GRAPHING There are THREE types of graphs: Circle Bar Line Each type shows data in a different way PURPOSE: to compare numbers (numerical data)

GRAPHING Circle Graphs: a.k.a. Pie Charts Show how a part (percent, fraction, or share) relates to the whole

GRAPHING: Line & Bar Graphs Have an x-axis (horizontal) and a y-axis (vertical) Each axis is a scale ranging from lowest number (data value) to highest

GRAPHING All Line and Bar Graphs Need: Title that describes graph Labeled and Numbered X and Y Axes

GRAPHING Bar Graphs Compare measurements, amounts, changes

GRAPHING: Group Bar Graph Also compares groups of data NEEDS A KEY

GRAPHING Line Graphs Show a relationship between TWO factors– excellent for showing changes, trends, patterns. Allow you to graph more than one set of data on a single graph MOST IMPORTANT: allow you to answer “IF/THEN” questions

GRAPHING: line graphs IF the size of the moon is related to dogs barking, THEN a dog will bark more closer to the full moon because it is bigger.

Figure 21: Mass vs. Volume of Water – DIRECTLY PROPORTIONAL The slope tells the relationship between the variables.

Figure 21: Distance vs. Light Intensity – INVERSELY PROPORTIONAL

GRAPHING: Multiple Line Graph Compares different sets of data NEEDS A KEY

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE GRAPHS?! GRAPHING WHAT IS WRONG WITH THESE GRAPHS?!

THE X AND Y AXES ARE NOT LABELLED!!!!

NO TITLE!!!!!!!

Y AXIS IS NOT NUMBERED

X AXIS HAS NO VALUES!!!!

Works Cited Physical Science Concepts In Action bell.sandi.net solfire.com www.mm.ocps.net www.members.aol.com www.blankner.ocps.net www.abcteacher.com partyfranke.de www.studyzone.org www.myleague.com www.aep.com www.grandearmee.com