Working Scientifically

Term 1: Working Scientifically:

Atom - atom of an element

Molecule - of an element

Compound molecule - 2 types of elements

Aim Writing:

Clear Purpose – Define what the investigation seeks to achieve.

Specific Focus – Keep the aim precise and avoid broad or vague statements.

Key Variables – Identify the independent variable (what is changed) and dependent variable (what is measured).

Testability – Ensure the aim can be investigated through experiments, observations, or analysis.

Concise Language – Use clear, scientific wording without unnecessary details.

Use of Action Words – Include terms like investigate, determine, measure, explore, examine.

Contextual Relevance – Link the aim to a scientific concept or hypothesis.

Tabulating and graphing data:

I.V: X axis

D.V: Y axis

Line data: For continuous or numerical data

Bar graph: For categorical or qualitative data.

Titles

Consistent Scales

Line of best fit

Key/legend (if needed)

Neatness

Always leave gaps between each bar, on both sides. 

Units on both sides

Use pencil

Risk Assessment:

Reliability:

• Repeat 3+

• Exclude outliers

• Average results?

• Consistency

Validity:

• Aim

• Controlled Variables

• Equipment

• Range (How many times have you changed your I.V.

Accurcay;

• Precise Equipment

• Expected results (consistent with other experiments done)

Indep. Vari: the variable you change purposefully

Dep. Vari: the variable you measure.

Basic Worded Chemical Reactions: 

Magnesium + oxygen → magnesium oxide (synthesis)

Water → Hydrogen gas + oxygen gas (decomposition)

Diatomic:Two Atoms

Writing full assessments:

Validity:

• Aim: tests and measures what it intended

• Control and controlled variables

• Equipment appropriate 

• Range (IV)

Reliability:

• Repeat (3x)

• Exclude Outliers

• Average consistent results

• Consistency

Accuracy:

• Precise equipment use appropriately 

• Expected value: are results true to the accepted/expected value.