SCIENTIFIC METHOD 1. FACT : An observable event; indisputable evidence which does not explain but simply is. 2. HYPOTHESIS: A guess to try to explain an observation. 3. EXPERIMENT: A systematic exploration of an observation or concept. 4. THEORY: An explanation of the facts; it can be proven by experiment and it confirms an hypothesis. 5. LAW: A theory which has undergone rigorous experimentation and no contradiction can be found. Note: MODEL: A visual or mathematical device or method used to demonstrate a theory or concept.

EXPERIMENTS EXPERIMENTS In ancient Greece philosophers, like Aristotle, did very little physical experimentation. Mental exercises were the preferred method for solving problems. SCIENTIFIC METHOD SCIENTIFIC METHOD depends on experimentation therefore the ability to make measurements is vital when using scientific method.

ACCURACY vs. PRECISION n Accurate & precise inaccurate but precise n inaccurate & imprecise

MEASUREMENTS Significant Figures 1. All nonzero numbers are significant figures. 2. Zero’s follow the rules below. Zero’s between numbers are significant has 4 SF Zero’s that precede are NOT significant has 2 SF Zero’s at the end of decimals are significant has 3 SF Zero’s at the end without decimals are ambiguous has either 4 SF or 3 SF

MEASUREMENTS Significant Figures & Calculations Significant figures are based on the tools used to make the measurement. An imprecise tool will negate the precision of the other tools used. The following rules are used when measurements are used in calculations. Adding/subtracting The result should be rounded to the same number of decimal places as the measurement with the least decimal places. Multiplying/dividing The result should contain the same number of significant figures as the measurement with the least significant figures.

MEASUREMENTS Significant Figures & Calculations Adding/subtracting Multiplying/dividing x 3.98 = / 43 =

MEASUREMENTS Scientific Notation Many measurements in science involve either very large numbers or very small numbers (#). Scientific notation is one method for communicating these types of numbers with minimal writing. GENERIC FORMAT: #. # #… x 10 # A negative exponent represents a number less than 1 and a positive exponent represents a number greater than x is the same as x 10 3 is the same as 6750

MEASUREMENTS Scientific Notation Give the following in scientific notation (or write it out) with the appropriate significant figures = = = x = x 10 4 = x x x

PRACTICE PROBLEMS #1 Show your work for the following questions on the back. Always give the correct significant figures. 1. Express each of the following numbers in scientific notation & 3 significant figures. A) _______ C) _______ B) _______ D) _______ = ________________ 3. ( ) / ( ) = ______________________ x / 7.7 x = ________________ 5. [(56.7 x ) (32 x )] 5 / (5.6 x ) 1/2 = __________ 3.45 x x x x x x x x 10 32

GROUP STUDY PROBLEM #1 Show all work for the following questions on the back page. Always give the correct significant figures. 1. What is the scientific method? 2. Describe the difference between accuracy and precision. 3. Explain why tasting chemicals during an experiment is not a safe practice? 4. Express each of the following numbers in scientific notation. a) _______ b) _______ c) 40.0 _______ d) _______ e) _______ f) _______ 6. (452 x 6.2) / = ______________________ = ________________ x / 1.9 x = ________________ 9. ( ) / (4.3 x x ) = ____________ 10. [(2.4 x ) (5.78 x )] 3 / (2.965 x ) 1/2 = __________