Experimental Design and Measurement Vocabulary- SHMS

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering experimental design principles and scientific measurement tools and units based on the lecture transcript.

Constant

Things in an experiment that stay the same, if they were to change it would affect the outcome.

Control

The group that is used for comparison. Put "no", "not," "none," or "least" in front of the IV to determine what the control group should be.

Dependent Variable

The thing in an experiment that is measured, changes when the IV changes.

Hypothesis

An educated prediction about the outcome of an experiment based on previous experience or background knowledge. Always written with IV before DV.

Independent Variable

The thing in an experiment that the scientist changes.

Inference

An explanation or conclusion based on previous experiences or experimental results.

Model

A representation of something. Can be made with pictures or numbers.

Observation

Noticing something that can be witnessed with the senses, a fact.

Mass

The amount of matter that something is made of.

Volume

The amount of space that something takes up.

Length

The distance between two points.

Density

The amount of matter in a given space; mass per unit volume.

Weight

The force of gravity on some mass.

Ruler

The tool used to measure length, only measures in a straight line. Measures in $\text{cm}$ or $\text{mm}$.

Triple Beam Balance

The tool used to measure mass. It has 3 beams on the arm.

Graduated Cylinder

The tool used to measure fluid volume. These tools are tall and skinny. ***preferred tool for volume.

Newton (N)

The unit of weight and force, denoted as $\text{N}$.

Spring Scale

The tool used to measure weight.

Beaker

A tool used to measure fluid volume. Fatter and shorter than a graduated cylinder.

Flask

A tool used to measure fluid volume. They have fat bottoms and skinnier tops.