Scientific Method and More

3 main areas of science Biology Physical science Earth science Define technology

Science – “to know” Physical Science – the study of matter and energy (and relationships between them) Biology – Herpetology – Botany – Entomology – Microbiology –

Some Science Terms Hypothesis – an educated guess, a prediction about what you think WILL happen Theory– explanation of things or events that is based on knowledge gained from many observations Examples: Scientific Law– statement about how things work in nature that seems to be true all the time.

Scientific Method Organized set of investigation procedures. To find the answer to a problem

Variables Variable– literally means “something changes” Independent Variable – the variable the experimenter controls and changes in an experiment …. Graphed on the x-axis Prob: How does light effect the growth of tulips? IV: the amount of light given to the tulips

Dependent Variable– the thing you measure in an experiment (this changes because of the independent variable)… plotted on the y-axis of a graph Prob: How does light effect the growth of tulips? DV: the growth of the tulip (height)

Control– set up exactly like the experiment, but has no independent variable in it (also called “control group”) Constants– these are factors that are kept THE SAME among all experimental groups. Same amount of water, same type of plant, same amount of plant food, same type of soil, same size container, etc.

Try this… Problem: Which laundry detergent cleans grass stains out of jeans better? Hypothesis: _____________ will clean grass stains out of jeans better than ____________________. IV: DV: Constants:

Any Questions? Get with a partner! Problem: Which type of mouthwash kills bacteria better? Hypothesis: (make sure it encompasses both the IV and the DV) IV: DV: Constants: How would a control group be set up?