Observation vs. Inferences What’s the difference?

Observation Anything that can be perceived, measured, or recorded as data Remember to use ALL senses (taste, smell, touch, sound, and sight) but only from a safety standpoint Examples:

Inference Any logical conclusion which can be deduced (reasoned) from an observation Examples:

Make a chart like this in your notes ObservationsInferences

Record a list of observations and inferences as many as you can based on this photograph. NASA scanned image. Image number: AS No copyright is asserted for NASA photographs. If a recognizable person appears in a photo, use for commercial purposes may infringe a right of privacy or publicity. Photos may not be used to state or imply the endorsement by NASA or by any NASA employee of a commercial product, process or service, or used in any other manner that might mislead. Accordingly, it is requested that if a NASA photograph is used in advertising and other commercial promotion, layout and copy be submitted to NASA prior to release. NASA photos reproduced from this archive should include photo credit to "NASA" or "National Aeronautics and Space Administration" and should include scanning credit to NASA as noted. (

Make a chart like this in your notes for another experiment demonstration Observations Inferences

Burning Candle Demonstration How would the observations change if shallow colored water was used in the pie pan? What inferences would change?

Candle Burning Demonstration What observations would change if a taller, but thinner jar was placed over the candle? What inferences would change?