Ecology Unit 1 What is Science?

Ecology Unit 1 Vocabulary (vocab section of notebook) 1.Scientific Method 2.Control 3.Variable 4.Independent Variable 5.Dependent Variable 6.Evidence

 Science is the process of asking questions and seeking their answers to better understand the natural world.  Science can be separated into 3 major fields…

Life Science  Biology (life)  Zoology (animals)  Botany (plants)  Ecology (ecosystems/environment)

Earth Science  Geology (earth)  Meteorology (atmosphere)  Astronomy (space)

Physical Science  Chemistry (matter)  Physics (forces and energy)

Important Science Skills  Two of the most important procedures/skills in all branches of science are OBSERVATION and INFERENCE.

Observation  Something we can sense (touch, see, taste, smell, hear) Mr. Mount looks nice today.

Inference  A conclusion or prediction we make based on an observation(s). He must have a hot date tonight.

 What are some observations you can make about this room? Mr. Brownrigg? Mr. Mount?  What are some inferences you can make about them?

The Scientific Method  The scientific method is an organized, step-by-step approach to problem solving in science  There are 5 steps when you break it down to its simplest form.

Step 1: Question ?  The 1 st step is to formulate a question based on observations.  Figure out what it is you want to know.  Research to find out if other studies have been done on your question.  Many research tools are available (scientific journals, books, periodicals, news media, and the internet)

Step 2: Hypothesis  After observing and researching your question you need to form a hypothesis.  Best guess/explanation as to the reasons for your observations.

Step 3: Experiment  Design an experiment to test your hypothesis.  Experiments must be “fair” (control, independent variable, dependent variable)  Experiments must also be repeatable.

Step 4: Collect Data  Data is information.  Record observations during your experiment.  When you record this information it makes it easier to stay organized and also to repeat your experiment later.

Step 5: Conclusion  When all of your data is collected you need to come up with a conclusion.  A conclusion is where you decide if your hypothesis was correct (supported) or not.  If it was not supported then you can test it again, or form a new one and design a new experiment.  Sometimes new questions come up during an experiment that can lead to the whole process starting again.

Theory  A scientific theory is a detailed explanation of a question that has withstood repeated testing.  Scientist use theories to provide a general explanation to similar questions.  Theories are often revised as technology improves and new observations are made.

Using Graphs  Graphs are used to help us organize and illustrate data collected during an experiment.  There are 3 main kinds of graphs:  Line graphs  Bar graphs  Pie/circle graphs

Line Graphs  Line graphs are used to show the relationship between two variables (independent and dependent).  Many times line graphs show change over time.

Bar Graphs  Bar graphs are best used to show comparisons.  In a bar graph only the y-axis (vertical) is quantitative (has numbers).

Pie Graphs  Pie/circle graphs are best used to show percentages.

Being a Skeptic  In science it is important for conclusions to be valid (trustworthy).  Example: 4 out of 5 dentists recommend sugarless gum.  Do we actually know how many dentists were asked? Was it 5 or 5000?  Which would be more valid?

Scientific Measurements  Many tools are used to make measurements in science.  What are some examples?

Making Precise Measurements  Measurements in science need to be precise (as correct as possible).  Which measurement is more precise? 2 cm, 3.4 kg, or 5.23 ml  5.23 ml is more precise because it shows measurement to the nearest.01, whereas the others only show to the nearest.1 and 1.

Significant Figures  All of the measured places and one estimated place are considered significant figures.  What is the difference between measurements of 186 grams and grams?  grams is more precise because it has more significant figures.

Rules for Sig Figs  1. All nonzero digits are significant.  2. Any zero located between nonzero digits is significant.  3. Leading zeros: Zeros to the left of all nonzero digits, are never significant.  4. Trailing zeros: Zeros to the right of all nonzero digits, are significant, if and only if a decimal point appears anywhere in the number.

Calculating using Sig Figs  When making calculations answers must be rounded off to the number of significant figures found in the “least precise measurement.”  Example: To find the volume of a box that is cm long, 2.13 cm wide, and 1.86 cm high.  X 2.13 X 1.86 =  Answer must be rounded to 3 sig figs…so 50.8 cm 3