1.2 The Process of Science Flashcards
The Scientific Method
Method of investigation
- involves experimentation and observation to acquire new knowledge, solve problems, and answer questions
- basic and adaptable strategy
Five Steps of Scientific Method
- Identify problem for investigation
- Gather and organize background data
- Suggest a hypothesis
- Test hypothesis (experiment)
- Accept hypothesis for further testing, or reject it and return to step 3
Hypothesis
Tentative explanation that can be tested by further investigation
Theory
An explanation based on an imagined set of ideas (including the kinds of particles present, and the forces they exert or respond to)
- that summarizes a hypothesis or a set of hypotheses
- has been supported with repeated testing
- can be qualitative or quantitative
- MUST be falsifiable, never a “fact” or proven true
Scientific Law
Statement that summarizes the results of many observations and experiments
-describes observed pattern in data occuring without any known exception
Theory vs. Law
How and why something happens vs. What happens
- Theories can be used to explain Laws
- a Theory cannot become a Law
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eDED5fCY86s
Experiment
Controlled method of testing a hypothesis
Controlled Experiment
An experiment that compares the results of an experimental sample with a control sample
-except for the one variable whose effect is being being tested, control sample is identical to experimental
Model
Descriptive, graphic, or 3D representation of a theory used to enhance understanding
- as simple as possible
- contains essential variables of real system
- explains all the observations on real system
- ONLY as good as the data collected
Watson and Crick
Created model to explain x-ray diffraction of DNA
-predicted method for the replication of DNA as well
Problem
The purpose for a scientific investigation
