Nature of science

Scientific method

A systematic approach to inquiry that involves making observations, forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, and drawing conclusions to understand natural phenomena.

Natural Phenomena

Events or processes in nature that can be observed and studied through scientific investigation.

Observation

The act of noticing and describing events or processes in a systematic way, often as the first step in scientific inquiry.

Inference

A logical conclusion drawn from observations or evidence that helps to explain a phenomenon or predict outcomes.

Qualitative

Data that describes qualities or characteristics, often involving observations that are not numerical.

Quantitative

Data that can be measured and expressed numerically, often used for statistical analysis in scientific research.

Constraints

Factors that limit or restrict the scope of scientific inquiry or experimentation, influencing the methods and interpretations of research.

Variable

A factor or condition that can change in an experiment, influencing the outcomes and allowing comparisons to be made.

Independent variable

A variable that is manipulated or changed in an experiment to observe its effect on the dependent variable.

Dependent variable

The variable that changes depending on the independent variable

Controlled variable

The variable that scientist want to stay the same

Hypothesis

An educated guess of the outcome of the experiment

Experiment

An experiment is a controlled test or procedure done to learn something new, or test an idea

Fair test

A experiment where only one factor is changed and all others stay the same

Inquiry Question

An inquiry is a testable specific question about the natural world that can be answered through experimentation

Attraction

A natural force or quality that pulls objects, partials, or individuals toward one another

Cohesion

the attractive force that causes molecules of the same substance to stick together

Surface Tension

the physical property of a liquids surface that allows it to resist an external force and behave like a stretched elastic film