Methodologies

Scientific Method

A method or procedure that consists in systematic, observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypothesis

Hypothesis

A supposition explanation made on the basis of limited evidence as a starting point for further investigation

Theory

An explanation for why things work or how things happen that has been repeatedly confirmed through experiment or observation

Proton

A stable, positively charged subatomic particle

Nuetron

A subatomic particle of about the same mass as a proton but without an electric charge, present in all atomic nuclei except those of ordinary hydrogen

Electron

A negatively charged particle present in all atoms, orbiting the nucleus

Isotope

Atoms of the same element that have different numbers of neutrons

Periodic Table

A chart where elements are arranged in order of atomic number, usually in rows, so that elements with similar atomic structure and chemical properties appear in vertical columns

Gravity

A force of attraction between objects that is due to their masses

Independent Variable

The variable that is intentionally changed to observe its effect on the dependent variable

Dependent Variable

The variable being tested and measured in an experiment

Horizontal Axis

The measuring line on a graph that runs left and right. Usually where time is shown

Vertical Axis

The measuring line on a graph that runs up and down. Usually where the data is shown

Legend of a graph

An area of a graph describing each of the parts of the graph

Bar Graph

A diagram in which the numerical values are represented by the height or length of of lines or rectangles of equal width

Line graph

A graph that uses lines to connect individual data points

Pie chart

A type of graph in which a circle is divided into sectors that each represent a proportion of the whole

Scatter Plot Graph

A graph of plotted points that shows the relationship between two sets of data