Science is……… ?

A search for understanding and explaining the natural world.

Qualitative (quality or state of being): Quantitative (quantity; a specific amount): color, shape, relative size(large or small), relative speed (fast or slow) 35mL, 300,000m/sec, 4 cm x 2cm

CAUTION: LIQUID IS CAUSTIC AND MAY CAUSE BURNS KEEP STOPPER FIRMLY ON THE FLASK!KEEP STOPPER FIRMLY ON THE FLASK! WIPE UP ANY SPILL IMMEDIATELY!WIPE UP ANY SPILL IMMEDIATELY! WASH HANDS-IMMEDIATELY IF ANY LIQUID MAKES CONTACT AND AFTER ACTIVITY IS COMPLETED!WASH HANDS-IMMEDIATELY IF ANY LIQUID MAKES CONTACT AND AFTER ACTIVITY IS COMPLETED!

In this activity you will need to carefully observe the substance(s) in the flask in order to arrive at an explanation for the change that occurs. Make your observations both before and after shaking. Use both qualitative ( color, shape, relative size or speed) and quantitative (# of ml, # of seconds to change color, number of shakes) observations. Make at least 10 observations and mark each with a L (qualitative) or an N (quantitative). More observations are better than a few- you won’t know which ones are important until later!

Your explanation for the color change that you observed is your hypothesis. You may have more than one hypothesis but agree on one with your group and write in on the lab sheet. On the back of your lab sheet write, “How to test our hypothesis:” and give specific directions as to how someone might try to show that your hypothesis is correct.

Conclusions are drawn from observations made when testing your hypothesis. Peer-review is a very important part of the scientific method. If your hypothesis cannot be supported by others doing the same experiments then your hypothesis will be rejected.

Scientific Method is one way to find answers to questions about observed phenomena.

Scientific Method Asking a question Making observations (quantitative and qualitative) Forming a hypothesis Testing the hypothesis (experiment) Forming conclusions Holding up to peer-review

On your handout, show how the blue bottle activity demonstrated the steps of the scientific method. For each step, use a specific example from the activity. For example, Asking a Question: Why does shaking the flask cause the liquid to turn blue?