Observations

Observations are taken in science so that someone reading your experiment can see what you experienced. Observations can include measurements, or experiences using the 5 senses.

Types of Observations Measurements are called quantitative observations. To remember: – Quantitative = Quantity, and a quantity is a number.

Types of Observations Observations using the senses are called qualitative observations. To remember: – Qualitative = Quality, and a quality is a property of something.

Making Good Observations To make good qualitative observations, you need to be descriptive. Bad Observations: – “Bubbled” – “Turned black” – “Dissolved” Better Observations: “The metal bubbled” “The solution turned black” “The salt dissolved”

Making Good Observations Making good quantitative observations means making good measurements. Measurements are always numbers, and they always have units. Examples: – Mass ex: 60 g – Time ex: 20 s – Electric current ex: 120 A – Volume ex: 355 mL