Science Flashcards
What Makes a Great Scientific Question?
A great scientific question contains 1 item/thing affecting or causing a change in another item or thing.
A great science question is
open ended !
An unacceptable question (bad) is closed ended. It usually has a simple answer; there is nothing to check or investigate. No changes occur!
A bad question (problem) does not have a cause & effect.
2 examples of bad science questions are…
Ex.1 Q. How many legs does a cat have? A. four [ closed ended ]
Ex.2 Q. What color is the sky ? A. blue [ closed ended ]
Two examples of great science questions are as follows…
Ex.1 What effect does humidity have on rainfall amounts ?
Ex.2 How does the color of a soft drink (soda) affect the amount of bubbles it has ?
Why were
Ex.1 What effect does humidity have on rainfall amounts ?
Ex.2 How does the color of a soft drink (soda) affect the amount of bubbles it has ?
Good science questions?
These answers must be investigated. A hypothesis must be created before the investigations take place.
Use an “if … then” statement, as opposed to an “I think” statement for the hypothesis.
Great Scientific Questions - format - How does “A” affect “B” ?
Ex. How does the length of an airplane wing affect how stable it will fly ?
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Studying Ex
Ex. Problem/Question - How does the amount of time studying affect your grade on a test ?
Variable
Variable – the item being tested in an experiment ( the factor that is changed ).
2 types: Independent & Dependent
What is an independent variable?
Independent Variables - Variables that can stand alone, AND are not changed by other variables. (IV)
Ex. 1 Your age
Ex. 2 The amount of time you studied for a test.
What is a dependent variable?
Dependent Variables - Something that depends on something else. (DV)
Ex. Your test score
It depends on how much you studied.
(Time Spent Studying) causes a change in (Test Score). It isn’t possible that (Test Score) could cause a change in (Time Spent Studying).
Examples of scientific questions are?
Ex.1 What effect does high temperature have on sunflower plant growth ?
Ex.2 What effect does food color have on the amount of food fish will eat ?
Ex.3 What effect does smiling have on the teacher giving no homework ?
Ex. 4 Does an electric motor turn faster if you increase the voltage ?
IV = rectangular shape - voltage increase DV= oval shape - motor turning faster
HW - on loose leaf paper !
Question: Does plant food extend the time that cut flowers stay fresh?
Hypothesis: (If …, then …)
IV:
DV:
Experimental Setup
Ex. Question/Problem - Does plant food extend the time that cut flowers stay fresh ?
Independent Variable - plant food
Dependent Variable - time flowers stay fresh
Hypothesis - Adding plant food extends the time that cut flowers stay fresh.
( If plant food is added to cut flowers, then the flowers will stay fresh longer )
Constants - All other factors in an experiment that are kept the same.
Control - the part of an experiment that does not get the factor being tested. It is the standard by which changes can be measured.
In this case, the plant food is the factor being tested (independent variable) !
Data to be Expected ?
Flowers with plant food will stay fresh longer than those without, & they will not lose flowers (petals/leaves) as fast.
Conclusion - Includes the following:
Was the hypothesis supported? Yes/No
Discussion of the data
Analysis of data ( measurements, patterns, trends, graphs, tables, pictures, etc.)
What would you do differently next time
What did you learn (in general). Elaborate & give details.
New revelations, safety precautions, interesting things you noticed, etc.
Diagram:
✓ = Constants
A B
Plant Food Control (Ind. Variable)
✓ 73° F ✓ 73° F
✓ ½ cup H2O ✓ ½ cup H2O
✓ Kitchen: Loc. ✓ Kitchen: Loc.
Only test one variable at a time !
Calculating volume
Calculating & Measuring Volume:
To find the volume of a regular solid, use a metric ruler.
Regular solids have flat sides that can be measured with a ruler.
Ex. box of marbles. ( the box has flat sides)
V= L x W x H ( length x width x height )
Note: There are 3 sides needed to find the volume of this specific regular solid. The 3 sides must be represented in the “unit” answer.
Ex. L = 10 cm W= 5 cm H = 2 cm
V = L x W x H V = 10 cm x 5 cm x 2 cm V = 100 cm3 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To find the volume of an irregular solid, use a procedure called water displacement. Irregular solid Exs.: lump of clay, rock, earring, small toy car, etc.
Water displacement requires the use of a graduated cylinder (tool).
Procedure [How To] :
1) Measure a known amount of water into a graduated cylinder.
2) Place the irregular solid into the cylinder.
3) Calculate the difference in water level to find the volume of the irregular solid. (starting H20 level to finish)
Concept mapping
How to make a Concept Map:
STEPS:
1) Identify concepts to be mapped.
- Brainstorm terms, concepts, definitions,
etc.
2) Decide which concept is the main idea (topic).
3) Place the most general concept at the top of your map. Place a box around this concept.
4) Place one or two other concepts ( not as general) under the main concept using branched lines. Place boxes around these concepts.
* Details, bullet points, components, definitions, etc.
5) Place linking words between concepts.
* Linking words are not the concepts themselves.
* Concept maps help one to review information, and possibly learn more !
* Concept maps will look different from one person to the next.
Activity:
What is a Phenomenon ?
Phenomenon - observable events in nature ( in the world around us) that can be described and/or explained.
- They can be natural or man made.
- They include processes, pictures, facts,
events, etc.
Exs. thunder, Pop Rocks, Milky Way, bumble bee activity, erosion, a
hummingbird, laser beam, fireworks
Forces
2 Types – 1) Unbalanced
2) Balanced
Force – a push or pull.
Unbalanced forces - a force acting on an object that changes the object’s motion.
Unbalanced forces cause objects to start moving, stop moving, or change direction.
Ex. 1 A 3 year old starting to pull a wagon.
Ex. 2 Catching a football.
Balanced Forces – forces acting on an object that will not change the object’s direction (motion).
Ex. A bird sitting on a school bus (parked).
These forces are actively happening.
Net Force – the overall (resulting) force on an object after all forces add together.
Diagrams: (Force) -
