lecture recording on 23 January 2025 at 11.45.19 AM

Scientific Method Homework Assignment

Navigate to the assignment through the Modules section of your course platform. Within this section, you will locate the Scientific Method Application assignment, which guides you in applying the scientific method to real-world scenarios. Make sure to follow the provided link to a Science Daily article for additional research related to your assignment topic.

Assignment Overview

• No Time Limit: You can work on this assignment at your own pace, without any imposed time constraint. This flexibility allows for thorough research and consideration of your responses.

• Progress Save Feature: You can save your progress at any time; the Eagle Canvas platform is designed to retain your work until you submit it after the due date has passed. This feature is crucial for ensuring you do not lose valuable information or insights developed during your research process.

• Submission Review: Submissions are reviewed only after the due date has passed, which encourages students to submit their best work without the pressure of immediate evaluation.

Accessing Research Articles

• Science Daily: This platform offers concise summaries of peer-reviewed research articles, making complex scientific topics more digestible and engaging for students. The articles chosen for your assignment are particularly useful in understanding the application of the scientific method.

• Full Journal Articles: For those interested in diving deeper, full journal articles are often accessible via links provided at the bottom of the summaries, allowing for comprehensive examination of the research.

• Paywall Navigation: If you encounter a paywall for articles not covered by the institution, alternative access points are provided. This ensures that cost does not become a barrier to quality research.

• Encouragement for Exploration: Students are encouraged to explore these articles further, accessing original data and findings for a richer understanding of the research discussed.

Quizzes and Exams

• Quiz Location: Quizzes can also be found within the Modules section and should be approached with diligence. It is essential to locate quizzes marked with QZ, as these are the timed assessments you will need to complete.

• Session Completion: Complete timed quizzes in a single session to mirror exam conditions; thorough preparation is advised to avoid unnecessary rushing.

• Confidence Building: Treat quizzes as mini-exams to build your confidence and solidify your understanding of the material in preparation for upcoming examinations.

Exam Preparation Advice

• Gradual Preparation: Prepare for exams gradually; avoid cramming all assignments before an exam. Spreading out your study time helps improve retention of information.

• Upcoming Topics: Key topics you will need to prepare for include:

  • Chemistry Basics

  • Organic Chemistry

  • Business Topics

Key Concepts of the Scientific Method

1. Identifying the Question: The first step is to clearly define the question or problem you want to study, ensuring it is specific and measurable.

2. Experiment Group: Identify your experiment group appropriately, noting that the control group remains unchanged during the experiment.

3. Variables:

   • Independent Variable: This is the element being tested or manipulated within the experiment.

   • Control Variables: All other factors that could influence the outcome must be kept constant to ensure valid results.

Data and Conclusions

• Data Yielded by Experiments: Experiments gather valuable data which informs conclusions drawn by the researcher.

  • Quantitative Data: This relates to numerical results, which are usually well-organized in spreadsheets for analysis.

  • Qualitative Data: Often derived from observational studies, these results provide insight when experiments cannot be controlled.

• Conclusion Establishment: A conclusion is reached based on gathered data, but establishing causation can often be challenging in scientific studies.

Influential Scientific Concepts

• Viruses: Ongoing debates exist about their classification as alive, due to their reliance on host cells for reproduction and growth.

• Curiosity Rover: This instrument represents the blend of technology and exploration in NASA's quest for knowledge about Mars. Its findings exemplify the persistent curiosity and innovation that drive scientific inquiry.

Understanding Matter

• Matter: Defined as anything that occupies space and possesses mass, matter is composed of fundamental units known as elements.

• Periodic Table: A crucial tool for understanding elemental properties and relationships essential in chemistry.

Atomic Structure

• Nucleus Composition: The nucleus of an atom is composed of:

  • Protons: Positively charged particles located in the nucleus.

  • Neutrons: Neutral particles that also reside within the nucleus.

• Electrons: Negatively charged particles that orbit around the nucleus in electron shells, creating a dynamic environment around the nucleus.

Chemical Bonds

• Types of Bonds:

  • Ionic Bonds: Formed when electrons are completely transferred between atoms. An example is Sodium (Na) yielding one electron to Chlorine (Cl), leading to the creation of table salt (NaCl).

  • Covalent Bonds: Occur when atoms share electrons, commonly seen in structures such as water (H2O).

  • Hydrogen Bonds: Weak interactions that significantly impact molecular arrangements, particularly notable in water and DNA structures.

Properties of Water

• Solvent Properties: Water's polarity makes it an efficient solvent, capable of dissolving a wide variety of substances crucial for biological processes.

• Cohesion and Adhesion: These properties allow water molecules to stick to each other (cohesion) and other substances (adhesion), which is vital for nutrient transport in plants and organisms.

Acids, Bases, and Neutrality

• Definition of Terms:

  • Acidic Solutions: Characterized by a higher concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) compared to hydroxide ions (OH-).

  • Basic Solutions: Have a greater concentration of hydroxide ions than hydrogen ions.

  • Neutral Solutions: Maintain an equal ratio of H+ to OH-, a state that is rare in biological systems.

• pH Scale: This scale measures the acidity or basicity of a solution, which is crucial for many biological processes.

• Buffers: Substances that actively maintain pH balance by either accepting or donating H+ ions, ensuring stability in various environments.