Scientific Investigation

Independent Variable

what you are choosing to change in an experiment

Dependent Variable

what you are measuring in an experiment

Basic Metric Unit for Volume and Tool Used for Measuring

Unit: liters (L)

Tool: Graduated Cylinder

Basic Metric Unit for Mass and Tool Used for Measuring

Unit: grams (g)

Tool: Triple Beam Balance

Basic Metric Unit for Time and Tool Used for Measuring

Unit: seconds (s)

Tool: Stopwatch

Basic Metric Unit for Length and Tool Used for Measuring

Unit: meters (m)

Tool: Meter Stick

Variable Plotted on the x-axis

independent variable

Variable Plotted on the y-axis

dependent variable

Control Group

group in an experiment that does not receive any special treatment and is used to compare to the experimental group

Constants

things kept the same throughout each trial of an experiment

Observation

using one or more of your senses to gather information

Inference

when you interpret or explain what you observe

Hypothesis

an educated guess

Qualitative Data

deals with descriptions and cannot be measured; uses the senses- colors, textures, smells, tastes, appearance, etc

Quantitative Data

deals with numbers and can be measured- length, height, area, volume, etc.

What does SI stand for?

System Internationale: aka the Metric System

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the metric system?

Advantages: Units of 10 are easy to calculate, the rest of the world uses it so it would be easier to communicate our results...

Disadvantages: Would be expensive for the US to make the switch

Can you think of anything else???

Basic Metric Unit for Temperature and Tool Used for Measuring

Unit: Degrees Celsius or Kelvin

Tool: Thermometer

Basic Metric Unit for Density and Formula

Unit: g/mL or g/cm^3

Formula: Density = mass/volume

Formula for Volume of a Solid Using Displacement

Final Volume in Graduated Cylinder - Original Volume in Graduated Cylinder = Volume of Solid (cm^3)