Sci-Method 2

I. Scientific method A.Six Steps 1. State the purpose 2. Gather information 3. Form a hypothesis 4. Conduct an experiment 5. Collect and analyze data 6. Form a conclusion

1. State the Purpose Purpose needs to be stated as a question. Bad Example Is fertilizer good for plants? Good Example Does adding fertilizer to plants make them grow taller?

2. Gather information Research Best place to do research is the library.

3. Form Hypothesis Hypothesis should be in if then format. Example If fertilizer is added to plants, then they will grow taller. The if statement is always your independent variable. The then statement or your results are always your dependent variable.

4. Conduct an Experiment Procedures for the experiment Equipment needed. What is to be measured and in what units. Clear steps so it is repeatable. Remember to keep other variable or factors the same.

5. Collect and Analyze Data

Graphing Principles There are 5 key elements that any complete graph must have. 1) Title - this should be a descriptive group of words that includes both variables in the experiment. 2) Axis labels - the independent variable should be placed on the x axis and the dependent on the y axis. 3) Unit labels - if your axis label is temperature, make sure you identify what scale you’re using (C or F). If your label is height, tell what it’s measured in (cm, mm, in, etc.).

4) Correct graph - make sure you’ve used proper increments along your axes, that you’ve started in the right place, that your axes are not flip-flopped, and that you use the right type of graph. 5) Key - somewhere on your graph, either within in or to the side of it, you should identify the different lines or bars in your graph.

6. Form a Conclusion Should answer the question posed by the purpose. Example Adding fertilizer to plants made them grow taller.

B. Science is a process that produces a body of knowledge C. Theory is a hypothesis that has been proven many times and stood the test of time D. Laws are statements about events that always occur in nature E. Science can’t prove all

II. Tools of Science A. Microscope 1. Magnifies objects for better observations 2. Resolving power is the ability of a microscope to distinguish between two objects B. Compound microscope uses two lenses to magnify objects up to 2000 times.

C. Electron Microscope 1. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) focuses a beam of electrons using magnets. The electrons pass through a thinly sliced specimen. 2. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) electrons do not pass through the object, but bounce off to produce a three dimensional image.

D. International system of measurement (SI) 1. Need for a set standard of measurement 2. Kilo=thousand Hecto=hundred Deka=ten Deci=tenth Centi=hundreth Milli=millionth Milli=thousandth Micro=millionth Nano=billionth 3. Conversions Kilo Hecto Deka unit Deci Centi Milli