Scientific Method

What is the scientific method?

A process used to ask and answer scientific questions through observations, experiments, and the development of hypotheses, theories, and laws.

What are the steps of the scientific method?

Ask a question, do background research, construct a hypothesis, test the hypothesis with an experiment, analyze data and draw a conclusion, and communicate results.

What is a fair test?

An experiment in which only one variable is changed while all other conditions remain the same.

Why is a fair test important?

It ensures that any changes observed are caused by the variable being tested.

What is scientific inquiry?

A procedure for processing and understanding information using the scientific method.

What is an observation?

Something that is witnessed and can be recorded.

What are the two types of observations?

Qualitative and quantitative observations.

What is a qualitative observation?

An observation that describes qualities or characteristics without using numbers.

What is a quantitative observation?

An observation based on measurements or numerical data.

What is a hypothesis?

A tentative, testable explanation for an observation.

What is an experiment?

A procedure carried out to test a hypothesis.

What is a theory?

A set of tested hypotheses that provides an overall explanation for a natural phenomenon.

What is another name for a theory?

A model.

What is a natural law?

A statement that summarizes observed behavior in nature.

What is the main difference between a hypothesis, theory, and law?

A hypothesis is a tentative explanation, a theory is a well-tested explanation, and a law summarizes what happens in nature.

What does a law describe?

What happens in nature.

What does a theory explain?

Why something happens in nature.

What is an example of a natural law?

The Law of Conservation of Mass, which states that mass remains the same before and after a chemical change.

Why can scientific theories change over time?

New evidence and observations can lead to better explanations.

What does the example of the Sun and stars demonstrate?

Observations may remain the same, but theories explaining them can change.

True or False: Experiments are used to test hypotheses.

True.

True or False: A law explains why something happens.

False. A law describes what happens.

True or False: A theory explains why something happens.

True.