1. Notes Science Tennessee SPI Objective: Essential Questions
SPI 0807.Inq.2
(Tools and Procedures)
Science
Tennessee SPI Objective:
Select tools and procedures needed to conduct a moderately complex experiment.
Essential Questions
1) Which tools and procedures would be best to use when conducting a science experiment? 
2) How do I correctly use common scientific tools such as spring scales, triple-beam balances, metric rulers, calculators, graduated cylinders, stop watches, etc.
Check for Understanding
Identify tools and techniques needed to gather, organize, analyze, and interpret data from a moderately complex scientific
investigation.

2. Notes SPI 0807.Inq.2 Tools and Procedures
Science
Tools and Procedures in Science
Procedures in science are called the scientific method
Scientific Method
Step 1: Make Observations
Step 2: Ask A Question
Step 3: Form A Hypothesis
Step 4: Test The Hypothesis
By doing experiments
Step 5: Analyze The Results
Step 6: Draw Conclusions
Step 7: Communicate results
A key task is to test your hypothesis by doing detailed and thorough experiments (step 4 shown above)

3. Take Notes: just copy down the green text Procedures in Experiments
In a science experiment you…
…measure quantities and/or qualities
…should only use the metric system
…should record in detail everything you do and observe.
…should conduct multiple trials.
…should include an independent variable, dependent variables, constants, and controls
The Metric System
-Also know as the International System of Units
-Abbreviation is SI (from French Systeme International)
-Adopted by nearly every nation except the United States
-Used by ALL scientists everywhere

4. Concepts in Experiments
In an experiment…
…you should only test for ONE key thing at a time
This is called the…
Independent Variable
…after you introduce the independent variable, you observe what happens.
This response/result is called the…
Dependent Variable
Items or events that are repeated exactly the same way each time you duplicate an experiment are called…
Constants
NOTE: You should also conduct at least one control trial where you eliminate the independent variable or use a neutral substitute.

5. Scientific Procedures
In an experiment you will follow steps in a logical order.
Example: Here is a list of steps in the wrong order.
1) Find the mass of the sugar crystals on the wax paper.
2) Boil the sugar water solution in the beaker.
3) Scrape the sugar crystals out onto the wax paper.
4) Find the mass of a piece of wax paper
5) Subtract the mass of the wax paper from the total mass.
6) Watch the water evaporate, and then collect the sugar crystals.

6. Scientific Tools In an experiment…
…you measure things with the metric system using tools such as:
…a spring scale
-measures force (weight)
-unit of measure:
newtons (N)

7. Scientific Tools In an experiment…
…you measure things with the metric system using tools such as:
…a graduated cylinder
-measures liquid volume
and/or
-the volume of irregular shaped objects
(water displacement method)
-unit of measure:
milliliter (mL), liter (L)
Link (1 min 57 sec):
How to Read a Graduated Cylinder
Link (3 min 45 sec):
Finding the Volume of an Irregular Shaped Object

8. Scientific Tools When determining the volume of an object…
…you can use a metric ruler for regular-shaped solid items.
Use this formula: Length x Width x Height
-useful for cubes and/or rectangular prisms
Link (1 min 7 sec): Calculating Volume of Regular Shapes

9. In an experiment…you measure things using tools such as:
…a triple-beam balance
-measures mass
-unit of measure:
milligrams (mg) , grams (g) , kilograms (kg)
Link (2 min 25 sec):
How to use a Triple-Beam Balance-Video

10. Scientific Tools
In an experiment…you measure things using tools such as:
…a metric ruler or meter stick
-measures length
-unit of measure:
millimeters (mm) , centimeters (cm), meters (m), kilometers (km)

11. Scientific Tools
In an experiment…you measure things using tools such as:
…a thermometer
-measures temperature
-unit of measure:
degrees-Celsius (C) or Kelvins (K)

12. Scientific Tools
In an experiment…you might need to examine tiny things…
…you would use a microscope
-two types: (1) regular microscope, (2) electron microscopes

13. Scientific Tools In an experiment…
…you might need to measure the strength of an acid or base
-use a pH indicator
-unit of measure:
pH scale from 0 to 14

14. Scientific Tools In an experiment…
…you might use a galvanometer to measure electrical current
-measures both the strength and direction of electrical current
Note: To just measure the current you could use an ammeter

15. Scientific Tools In an experiment… …you also might use… -beakers
-test tubes
-flasks
Beaker
Test tubes
Flask

16. Scientific Tools In an experiment… …you also might use… -hot plates
-petri dishes
-burners
hot plate
Bunsen burner
Petri dish

17. Always read the measure
Liquids in containers
form a curved line
called a meniscus.
Place the cylinder
on a flat surface.
View the meniscus
at eye level.
SPI 0807.Inq.2
Tools and Procedures
Questions
Science
Meniscus
Always read the measure
at the bottom/center
of the meniscus.

18. SPI 0807.Inq.2
Tools and Procedures
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Science

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Tools and Procedures
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20. SPI 0807.Inq.2
Tools and Procedures
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21. SPI 0807.Inq.2
Tools and Procedures
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Science