Science Teaching: Nature of Science

Kilo-

1000x

Hecto

100x

Deca-

10x

Deci-

0.1x

Centi-

0.01x

micro

.000001×
10^-6

Graph: Categorical or Quantitative?
Bar graph

categorical
used for comparisons

Graph: Categorical or Quantitative?
Pie chart

categorical
used for percentages

Graph: Categorical or Quantitative?
line graph

quantitative
used for changes over time

Graph: Categorical or Quantitative?
dot plot

quantitative
used for small amounts of data, shows mode and shape/skew of data best

Graph: Categorical or Quantitative?
Stem and Leaf Plot

Quantitative
used for small amounts of data, show clusters and gaps in data best

Graph: Categorical or Quantitative?
Box plot

Quantitative
used for large amounts of data, best for statistical data

Graph: Categorical or Quantitative?
Histogram

Quantitative
used for large amounts of data, best for data grouping

SI unit for length

meterS

SI unit for mass

kg

SI unit for time

s

SI unit for electrical current

A (ampere)

SI unit for thermodynamic temperature

K

SI unit for amount of substance

mol

SI unit for luminous intensity

cd (candela)

Volatile chemical storage

store in ventilated cabinet

Flammable chemicals storage

labeled cabinet

toxic chemical storage

cabinet labeled poison

flammable

toxic/poison

Acidic chemical storage

acid labelled cabinet
Nitric Acid requires airtight container in this cabinet

pH can go down the sink

5.5-10.5

hazardous chemicals for hazardous waste

heavy metals, organic solvents, corrosive liquids, radioactive materials, toxic materials

tool -”graph”

“write” tool is writing something

tool -”meter”

measuring date usually with numeric value

tool -”scope”

shows visual information

dependent variable

a variable measured by the scientist conducting the experiment

quantitative data

data which is measured and usually expressed numerically

trend line

a line drawn through the areas with the highest concentration of data points on a scatter plot; the trendline is a visual representation of the mean

volatile

chemical property of evaporating or vaporizing easily

Stereo Microscope

Dissecting microscope
a low power, free standing microscope used for 3D examination of small objects

Stem and Leaf Plot

“Buret””Burrette”
a graduated piece of glassware with a stopcock on one end for adding incremental amounts of liquid

ring stand

conclusion

a summary of the results of an experiement; states whether the initial hypothesis was rejected or supported

graduated cylinder

control group

a group of specimens in an experiment to which no change is made; does not receive the experimental treatment

models

physical, mathematical or visual representation of scientific phenomena

physical models

a smaller or larger replica of an object done to scale

margin of error

deviation or variation of a value from the correct or expected value to allow for error in equipment or calcuations

hand lens

Error (in measurement)

error is a numerical value that tells us how far off a measurement is compared to the correct or accepted value

MSDS

Material Safety Data Sheets
a standardized information sheet for a substance; includes information about health risks, safe disposal and cleanup of spills, and environmental risks

toxic

poisionous, causing harm to the body

magnetic stir bar

tolerance

the amount of measurement error that is allowed

inference

a conclusion based on evidence, observation and reasoning

experimental group

a group of specimens in an experiment to which a change is made; receives the experimental treatment

Scientific Law

a proven explanation for a phenomenon; the “what”

hot plate

odometer

Experimental investigation

researchers assign subjects in the sample to certain treatments; then observe the effects of the treatment. can show causation.

data logger
records and stores data

Corrosive

liquids that can degrade substances through direct contact

radioactive

materials that emit radiation from an unstable nuclei

volumetric flask

mathematical models

models that use mathematical formulas, variables and language to refer to relationships and processes in a system

watch glass

thermometer

striker

electronic balance

bar graph

independent variable

the variable manipulated by the scientist conducting the experiment to observe the effect on the dependent variable

double bar graph

Vernier Calipers

qualitative data

data which is described rather than measured

scatter plot

tare

to set a balance equal to zero to ensure an accurate measurement with no contaminants

test tube

tuning fork

compound microscope

pie chart

transfer pipette

scientific theory

a proposed explanation for a phenomenon which may not be testable (but based on evidence) “the why”

conceptual models

a representation fo a system using diagrams or drawings to explain complex or abstract systems or processes

beam balance- to measure mass

histogram

line graph

crucible tongs

invariance

consistency of the size or magnitude of a value regardless of a change in units

dot plot

magnetic compass

bunsen burner

barometer

protractor

CHP

Chemical Hygiene Plan
written procedure to protect team members from exposure to hazardous, toxic or volatile chemicals

Pendulum

glass stir rod

measuring tape

ticker timer- measures displacement over time

ruler

gloves

micropipette

heavy metals

metals with high atomic number and high density that cause damage to human tissues

beaker