Nature of Science

Scientific Method

the method of discovery through a hypothesis and the testing of that hypothesis through experimentation

Natural Phenomena

an observable event or physical occurrence in the natural world that happens without human intervention

Observation

an act of noticing or perceiving; watching intently

Inference

an educated guess based on evidence

Qualitative

an observation based on senses *QUALITY*

Quantitative

an observation based on numerical data *QUANTITY*

Criteria & Constraints

the must have’s and must NOT have’s of a scientific experiment

Variable

any factor, trait, or condition that can change or be controlled in an experiment

Independent Variable

the factor that a scientist deliberately changes

Dependent Variable

the factor that DEPENDS on the independent variabl

Controlled Variable

the factor that is staying the same in a scientific experiment and each trial

Hypothesis

an educated guess that’s made BEFORE data is revealed

Experiment

an test or trial for the purpose of discovering something unknown

Fair Test

an experiment in which you only change ONE factor and all other conditions are kept exactly the same for an accurate result

Inquiry Question

a testable question that guides an investigation

Attraction & Cohesion

SPARK pulls (attracts) and GLUE keeps (cohesion) molecules connected

Surface Tension

the physical property of a liquid surface that allows it to resist external forces