Section Notes Physical science focuses on nonliving things.

Section 1.2: Using a Scientific Approach An organized plan for gathering, organizing, and communicating information is called a scientific method. The goal of any scientific method is to solve a problem or to better understand an observed event.

Steps of the Scientific Method 1. Making Observations Scientific investigations often begin with observations. An observation is information that you obtain through your senses.

Observation vs. Inference Observation Something that can be made with only the five senses. Observations about picture: – It has red spots. It has yellow on it. It feels rough It feels light. It smells bad. It doesn't make a sound unless you move it. It's round It's squishy. Inference Something that involves a decision being made about something you observe. Inferences about picture: – I think it's a hacky sack. It's used to play with. It must be a ball. It's a soccer ball. It's a toy.

Steps of the Scientific Method 2. Forming a Hypothesis A hypothesis is a proposed answer to a question, also referred to as, as educated guess.

Steps of the Scientific Method 3. Testing a Hypothesis In an experiment, any factor that can change is called a variable. The manipulated (independent) variable causes a change. The responding (dependent) variable changes in response to the manipulated variable. A controlled experiment is an experiment in which only one variable, the manipulated variable, is deliberately changed at a time.

For Example… If you do an experiment to test if speed affects how wet you get in the rain… – The speed that you walk/run=manipulated variable – The amount of water that you accumulate=responding variable

Steps of the Scientific Method 4. Drawing Conclusions In this step, you will analyze the data gathered to come up with a conclusion. – A conclusion describes how facts apply to a hypothesis. If the hypothesis IS supported you continue to step 5. If the hypothesis is NOT supported you are to restate the hypothesis and run the experiment again. There are two types of data: qualitative and quantitative.

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data Qualitative Data Deals with descriptions. Data can be observed but not measured. Colors, textures, smells, tastes, appearance, beauty, etc. Qualitative → Quality Quantitative Data Deals with numbers. Data which can be measured. Length, height, area, volume, weight, speed, time, temperature, humidity, sound levels, cost, members, ages, etc. Quantitative → Quantity

Steps of the Scientific Method 5. Developing a Theory A scientific theory is a well-tested explanation for a set of observations or experimental results. Once a hypothesis has been supported in repeated experiments, scientists can begin to develop a theory. Theories are never proven.