Science

Science

The knowledge obtained by observing natural events and conditions… in order to discover facts and formulate laws, principles or theories that can be verified or tested

Natural Science…

tries to understand how nature behaves

Technology

the application of science for practical purposes

Theory

is a hypothesis or a set of hypotheses that is supported by the results of experimentation and observation. Can be changed when new information becomes available

Scientific Law

a rule that correctly describes a natural phenomenom

types of observations

direct or indirect

direct

when you use your 5 senses to observe

indirect

any observation that requires the use of an instrument

ways to describe observations

qualitative or quantitative

qualitative

describes a quality about an object. Ex. Hot, Tall, ect

quantitative

descriptions can be measured or described with mathmatics

Data

a collection of observations

Inference

an interpretation of observations

Scientific method

A systematic approach that scientist use to problem sove

Steps in the Scientific Method

1. State the problem, or ask a question?

2. observe- form a Hypothesis

3. test the hypothesis- experiment and gather data

4. analyze results- make inferences

5. state a conclusion- was your hypothesis correct?

Hypothesis

an educated guess or possible solution to a question or problem

experimenting: testing your hypothesis

Control and variable

control

something that stays the same in an experiment

variable

a factor that changes in an experiment in order to test a hypothesis

types of variables

independent and dependent

independent

(manipulated) a changeable factor that you set or choose. I choose the independent variable.

Dependent

(responding) a changeable factor that depends on the independent variable (what are you testing for) Usually a number value.

standard

constant for both. example-time

controlled experiment

All variables that can effect the outcome of the experiment are kept constant, or controlled, exept for the one which tests your hypothesis.

scientific model

representations of objects or events that make it easier to understand things that are difficult to directly observe.

placebo effect

a beneficial effect due to the belief that a specific treatment will improve a treatable condition

control group

the control group is defined as the group in an experiment or study that does not receive treatment by researchers and is then used as a benchmark to measure how the other tested subject do.

experimental group

the group in the experiment that does receive treatment