science n a process through which nature is studied, discovered, and understood. n all areas of...

Science

A process through which nature is studied, discovered, and understood.

All areas of science involve posing INQUIRIES (questions) about nature.

Processes of Science Observing Hypothesizing Experimenting Drawing a conclusion Communicating

Terms and Definitions

Theory -- The most probable EXPLANATION based on the best available EVIDENCE.–Example:


Facts -- Data or EVIDENCE that can be OBSERVED repeatedly

Example:


Inference -- A CONCLUSION drawn on the basis of FACTS–Example:


Hypothesis -- An EDUCATED guess – a TESTABLE statement–Example:


Law -- A general statement that DESCRIBES or explains a wide variety of PHENOMENON–Example:


Superstition -- A BELIEF that is NOT based on evidence–Example:

Scientific Method

1. Stating a problem - something is considered a problem if its solution is not obvious. Some crucial information is missing. Solving the problem involves finding this missing information.

Scientific Method

2. Collecting information on the problem -- the more you know about the problem the more precisely you can state the problem and the less time you will waste looking for solutions.

Scientific Method

3. Making a hypothesis-–a. Use what you know about the

problem to predict a solution and try it.

–b. Look for patterns that will help you make predictions about the problem.

Scientific Method

3. Making a hypothesis-– c. Make a model, or a

representation, of what you’re working with.

–d. Break the problem down into smaller, simpler problems.

Scientific Method

4. Performing an experiment - design an experiment that will provide a means for you to make a solid conclusion about your hypothesis

Scientific Method

5. Make a conclusion - a solid conclusion is related to the hypothesis and based on the results of a well designed experiment.

Experimental Design Concepts

A science experiment is designed so that only ONE variable is being tested at a time.


A VARIABLE is something that is changed to study how this change effects the time being studied.


By changing only one variable, when you make your conclusion you can be assured that it is only that one variable that is causing the EFFECT.


Independent variable (IV) - the variable that is purposely CHANGED be the experimenter.


Dependent variable (DV) - the variable that responds and is the variable MEASURED.


Constant (C) - all factors that are kept the SAME during the experiment.


CONTROL - the standard to compare the experimental effect against.


Repeated trials - the NUMBER of objects/organisms undergoing treatment for each value of the independent variable, or the number of TIMES the experiment is repeated.

Scenario #1

IV: Type of FertilizerTreatment:Trials:

DV: Constants:

Scenario #1

IV: Type of FertilizerTreatment: Comm. Fert Compost NoneTrials:

DV: Constants:

Scenario #1

IV: Type of FertilizerTreatment: Comm. Fert Compost NoneTrials: 25 plants 25 plants 25 plants

DV: Constants:

Scenario #1


DV: Height of plants in cmConstants:

Scenario #1


DV: Height of plants in cmConstants: Soil, type of plants, sunlight, water,

amount of fertilizer, number of days

Scenario #2

IV: Type of Metal Treatment:Trials:

DV: Constants:

Scenario #2

IV: Type of Metal Treatment: Iron Aluminum Magnesium LeadTrials:

DV: Constants:

Scenario #2

IV: Type of Metal Treatment: Iron Aluminum Magnesium LeadTrials: 1 Nail 1 Nail 1 Nail 1 Nail

DV: Constants:

Scenario #2


DV: Amount of Rust (small, med., large) color of waterConstants:

Scenario #2


DV: Amount of Rust (small, med., large) color of waterConstants: same water, same type of nail, equal amounts of

metal, 5 days

Scenario #3

IV: Type of PerfumeTreatment:Trials:

DV: Constants:

Scenario #3

IV: Type of PerfumeTreatment: A B C DTrials:

DV: Constants:

Scenario #3

IV: Type of PerfumeTreatment: A B C DTrials: 1 test 1 test 1 test 1 test

DV: Constants:

Scenario #3


DV: Number of bees emerging, behavior observationsConstants:

Scenario #3


DV: Number of bees emerging, behavior observationsConstants: Same day, weather conditions, same bees, 30 min.

interval, amnt. of perfume, distance from hive

MICROSCOPE UNIT

FUNCTIONS OF MICROSCOPE PARTS

Types of Microscopes

http://www.cas.miamioh.edu/mbi-ws/microscopes/types.html

http://science.kqed.org/quest/video/the-worlds-most-powerful-microscope/





Parts of a Compound Microscope

Arm

The basic frame, used to CARRY the microscope.

BASE

The bottom stand, which houses the LIGHT.

Body

Contains MIRRORS to reflect light to the eyepiece.

COARSE Adjustment

Roughly focuses the image by bringing the specimen and objective lenses closer together or farther apart.

Diaphragm

A disc-shaped device, located beneath the stage, used to control the AMOUNT of LIGHT passing through the specimen.

Eyepiece

The UPPER lens, nearest your eye, which magnifies the image already magnified by the objective and brings the light rays to a focus at the eye.

FINE ADJUSTMENT

SHARPENS the image of the specimen, by moving the specimen and objective lenses very small distances closer together or farther apart.

Light

The SOURCE of the light which passes through the specimen.

Nosepiece

The REVOLVING part that supports three objectives with different magnifications.

Objective

The lenses closest to the specimen, that MAGNIFIES the image of the specimen.

STAGE

The flat table-like AREA where the slide or specimen is placed.

Stage Clips

HOLDS the slide on the stage, to prevent it from slipping around.

Microscope Unit

Microscopic Terms

SlideA piece of GLASS upon which the specimen is placed for viewing.

Cover SlipA thin SQUARE piece of glass or plastic used to COVER the specimen.

High powerThe high power objective on the nosepiece (usually 40x).

Medium powerThe middle power objective on the nosepiece (usually 10x).

Low powerThe lowest power objective on the nosepiece (usually 4x).

Magnification The number of TIMES an objects

apparent size is INCREASED by the lens system.

The total magnification of the lens system is determined by MULTIPLYING the power of the objective times the power of the eyepiece (usually 10x).

ResolutionThe ability of the lens system to distinguish and SEPARATE fine details in a specimen.

Field of viewThe AREA of the specimen

which is seen through the lens system. The bright circle you see when looking into a microscope.

Depth of field The ability of a lens system

to furnish a distinct image ABOVE and BELOW the focal plane. Depth of focus decreases with the increase of magnification.

Parfocal When the objective is in

focus, it can be SWITCHED from one power to another, with only small fine focus adjustments being necessary.

science n a process through which nature is studied, discovered, and understood. n all areas of...

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