A Scientific Tool is anything that can be used to help a scientist to do the following things: Make Observations Conduct Experiments Gather & Collect Data Analyze & Organize Information Collected Store Information/Data A Scientific Tool must be well-designed, constructed and tested until proven that it can provide dependable results throughout the scientific process

From the Greek ‘mikros – scopein’ meaning ‘small to look, see’; it is an instrument designed to see objects that are too small for the naked eye The 1 st optical microscope was invented in 1590 in the Netherlands The 1 st compound optical microscope was invented by Galileo Galilei in 1625 Modern science has allowed for two main types of microscopes used today: Compound light– Most common, uses two or more lenses and light to enlarge the image Electron – Uses a fine electron beam to scan or pass through sample

A computer is a programmable machine designed to automatically and in order carry out a sequence of logical and mathematical operations The first electronic computer was created in 1946 Computers can be found in many modern inventions from the pc to the mp3 player to industrial robots to fighter aircraft

Graduated Cylinder A piece of lab equipment used to measure volume It is marked along the sides with measurement marks (l) and usually has a spout at the top CLIP ( CLIP Balance A piece of lab equipment used to measure the mass of an object Consists of a beam with a fulcrum in the middle and two scales suspended from each side Measurements take place in (g) CLIP ( triple-beam-balance-right-6263) CLIP Meter Stick A piece of lab equipment used to measure length Measurements take place in (m) Thermometer A piece of lab equipment used to measure temperature Measurements take place in either (F) or (C) United States uses (F)

A scientific model is the representation of an object or a system Models help scientists: Explain how something works Describe a structure Make predictions/hypothesize Explain the observations of an experiment Models do have limitations. The reason for this is that no matter how exact it becomes a model is still never the real thing being observed/studied. NOT THIS… THIS!!

Physical Model A model you can touch; such as a model of the human body or a model of the digestive system Mathematical Model A model constructed from mathematical equations and data to calculate or predict information; such as population growth or weather patterns Many are compiled on the computer Conceptual Model A model that is a system of ideas or comparisons that support a larger scientific idea; such as the Big Bang Theory