Understanding our World Science Understanding our World

What do scientists do? Scientists collect, study, and analyze facts Scientists try to answer questions and solve problems Scientists often use tools and models to gather necessary information

Scientific Tools Scientists sometimes use tools to collect facts about things Examples: -Thermometer (temperature) -Scale or Balance (weight or mass) -Ruler (length) -Graduated Cylinder (volume)

Data Information recorded by scientists is called data Types of Data: Qualitative data does not use numbers (texture, taste, color, etc…) Quantitative data uses numbers (weight, length, temperature, etc…)

Scientific Method The scientific method is a set of steps that are often used to help scientists solve problems and explain why things happen 5 Major Steps: Observation/Inference Hypothesis/Testable Question Experiment/Test Analysis Conclusion

Observation/Inference Observations are descriptions of objects or events A conclusion based on an observation is called an inference Example: “The water tastes salty. The water probably has salt dissolved in it.”

Hypothesis/Testable Question A hypothesis is a possible explanation that can become a testable question Example: “The water is a saltwater solution.” “Is the water a saltwater solution?”

Experiment /Test An experiment is done to test a hypothesis. Example: Allow water to evaporate to see if anything remains.

Analysis Analysis means to look closely at the data in search of an answer to the testable question Example: Compare the crystals left behind by evaporated water to crystals of salt.

Conclusion A conclusion is the result of an experiment or test and answers the testable question Example: After allowing the water to evaporate, crystals of salt were left behind so the water was a saltwater solution.