Chemistry and the Scientific Method Flashcards
Independent variable
A variable that is manipulated in an experiment to see how it affects other variables
Dependent variable
A variable that is changed is response to the independent variable
Controlled variable
A variable that is kept constant throughout an experiment
Chemistry
The science of matter, structure, properties, and transformations
Matter
Anything that has mass and takes up space
The scientific method
A process for establishing knowledge through experimentation & testing: question, observation, hypothesis, experiment, analysis & conclusion
Hypothesis
Proposed explanation or prediction about a phenomenon, based of existing knowledge that can be tested though experimentation or observation
Theory
A well-supported explanation for how or why things happen in the natural world, based on observations and testing
Law
A concise statement that describes how nature behaves under specific conditions, usually based on repeated observations or experiments
Research question
A clear, open-ended question that forms the foundation of a research project/experiment
How are hypotheses and experiments related?
Hypotheses help us properly design experiments and experiments are used to test hypotheses
What is the difference in describing matter at a macroscopic level, particle level and symbolically?
Macroscopic level focuses on observations such as color, density and boiling point (measurable observations). Particle level focuses on the behavior of matter at the atomic and molecular level. And symbolically we use symbols, formulas and equations to represent the composition and behavior of matter.
Qualitative observation
Descriptions (qualities), uses your senses, words and details
Quantitative observations
Measurements (quantities), uses instruments, includes numbers and units
