Scientific Inquiry: The Great Tomato Race Voc.

STEM 2.0 Activity

Temperature Change

adding heat to or removing heat from a substance, resulting in a change in its thermal energy and potentially its state of matter

Replication

copying by others in a similar experimental setup to confirm findings

Repetition

the repeated execution of an experiment in multiple trials to ensure reliability of results and to minimize errors (For example, bubble experiment/try 1, 2, 3, etc.)

Independent Variable

The testing Variable: (item/thing) being manipulated by the experimenter to observe its effect on the dependent variable in an experiment, it is the condition or factor that is changed intentionally (i.e. adding more or less soap to bubbles)

Dependent Variable

The Outcome Variable: The variable being measured in an experiment to assess the effect of the independent variable (i.e. What is adding more soap doing to the bubble?)

Matter

Anything that has mass and takes up space/made up of atoms; it can exist in various states such as solid, liquid, or gas.

Atoms Motion

constantly vibrating

How does temperature change the vibrating motion of atoms?

The most vibration = higher temperature; the less vibration = lower temperatures

Temperature

measure of the average kinetic energy of particles in a substance

Motion of Solid Matter

these atoms vibrate in place, maintaining a fixed position due to strong intermolecular forces, leading to a structured arrangement. (i.e. they don’t move around but stay in place and vibrate)

Motion of Liquid Matter

these atoms move more fluid than solids, allowing them to slide past each other, which gives liquids a definite volume but no fixed shape. (i.e. they take up the space of the container, and can flow easily but not too quickly)

Motion of Gas Matter

These atoms are in constant rapid motion and fill the container they are in (extremely fast)

Problem Statement

The question guiding an experiment (i.e. What is the effect of temperature on the motion of the substance?)

Hypothesis

Educated prediction that answers the experimental question based on prior knowledge and observations (i.e. If hot water is added, then the molecules will move faster).