1. Unit Outline--Topics What is Physics? Branches of Science
Science Terms
Scientific models
Measuring and Units
Powers of Ten and conversions
Graphing
Experimental Design
Science vs. Technology
Analyzing in Physics

3. Variables
Variable: Anything that can change in an experiment.

4. Variables and Constants
Independent Variable represents a change in an experiment that is directly caused by the experimenter (you.)
Dependent Variable changes in response to changes to the independent variable.
A constant is anything else that could influence the experiment but is kept from changing (consistency)

5. Identifying Variables in a Scientific Hypothesis
The two variables are underlined.
Independent variable
Dependent variable
If the mass on a cart is increased, then the cart’s rate of acceleration will decrease given the same force.
Constant
The if statement shows independent variable, the then statement shows the dependent variable.

6. Variables
Independent variables answer the question "What do I change?"
Dependent variables answer the question "What do I observe?"
Constants answer the question "What do I keep the same?"

7. Good Experimental Design
A good experiment tests only one variable at a time (change the independent to test the dependent variable).
A good experiment makes certain to control the other variables, meaning that all conditions for experimentation must be the same for every test

8. GRAPHING DEPENDENT AND INDEPENDENT VARIABLES
Place the dependent variable is on the y axis.
Place the independent variable is on the x axis.

9. SCIENTIFIC METHOD
A series of logical steps that are followed so that problems can be solved.

10. TESTING YOUR HYPOTHESIS
If the temperature of a gas is increased, then the volume will increase.
If the length of a pendulum increases, then the period of swing will decrease.
Green = dependent variable (what you predict will happen: the outcome)
White = independent variable (what you select: a testing interval)

11. RESULTS FROM TESTING
What happens if your results are not what you predicted?
No experiment is a failure, because failure is part of the narrowing-down process of the scientific method.

12. Controlled Experiment
A controlled experiment represents the standard by which the test results can be compared. It establishes a base line to which all other results are compared.
An experimental control is produced by testing without influence of the independent variable.
An experimental control answers the question, what if I don’t do this?
Example: experimenter wants to test the influence of fertilizer on plant growth. The experimental control would be measuring plant growth without the influence of fertilizer. The independent variable would be the amount of fertilizer used. The dependent variable would be the amount of plant growth.