Tennessee SPI Objective:

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SPI 0807.Inq.4 Cause and Effect
Notes
Science

• Tennessee SPI Objective
• Draw a conclusion that establishes a cause and
  effect relationship supported by evidence.

Instructions for Students 1) Make sure you view
this presentation in slideshow mode. 2) If you
need help, please communicate with your teacher.
3) If needed, there are videos about how to do
this on YouTube.
Essential Question What is the difference between
a cause and the corresponding effect, and what is
the connection between these two events in time?

• RCS Check for Understanding
• Examine famous scientific discoveries from
  history
• to identify cause and effect relationships.

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SPI 0807.Inq.4 Cause and Effect
Notes
Science
Relationship
between two events where the first event is
understood to be responsible for the second event.
Cause and Effect
This concept is called causation or causality
If you do one specific
action then another specific action will occur
because of the first action.
Elaboration
The Cause is the first action or event
This is like the independent/manipulated variable.
The Effect is the resulting consequence
This is like the dependent/responding variable.
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SPI 0807.Inq.4 Cause and Effect
Notes
Science
Example Knee-Jerk Reflex Test

• The Cause is the first action or event

• Cause Doctor hits your knee with a rubber hammer

• The Effect is the resulting consequence

• Effect Your leg jerks upward and outward

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SPI 0807.Inq.4 Cause and Effect
Notes
Science
Example In first period a student has a headache
and is sleepy. The night before they stayed up
late watching a funny movie until 200 A.M.
Identify the cause and effect in this situation
The Cause (first action) Staying up late until
200 A.M.
The Effect (resulting consequence) Headache and
being sleepy in first period
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Match the following causes and effects on your
paper (Just write the number with the letter next
to it)
Causes Effects
(1) Driver presses the gas pedal (A) A chemical reaction occurs
(2) Two substances are combined (B) Student earns a 100 on a test
(3) Student studies for one hour (C) Car travels faster
Cause (1) Driver presses the gas pedal
Effect (C) Car travels faster
Cause (2) Two substances are combined
Effect (A) A chemical reaction occurs
Cause (3) Student studies for one hour
Effect (B) Student earns a 100 on a test
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Be Aware!
correlation is not the same as causation

• just because two events appear to be connected
  (correlated) does not mean that the 1st event
  actually caused the 2nd event

Example 01 From a 2007 study British Journal
of Psychology

• boys with longer fingers scored higher on SAT
  math question

• girls with longer fingers scored higher on SAT
  verbal questions

• A true correlation was revealed, but there was no
  causation.

• Earning a higher score (effect) is not caused by
  longer fingers.

It is merely a coincidence.
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Cause and Effect Investigations
Purpose Learn what went wrong in order to avoid
it in the future.
Example The Hindenburg explosion and crash (1937)
Cause Leaking hydrogen gas ignited by static
electricity
Effect The Airship exploded. 36 of 97 passengers
were killed
Video Link (1 min 29 sec) Hindenburg
Explosion-1937
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Cause and Effect Investigations
Purpose Learn what went wrong, to avoid it in
the future.
Example Space Shuttle Challenger Explosion (1986)
Cause (1) O-rings on the rocket booster failed
allowing fuel to leak out resulting in a massive
explosion.
Effect This NASA spacecraft exploded shortly
after liftoff. All seven crewmembers were
killed.
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Cause and Effect Investigations
Most Famous Causes and Effect Investigation?
Newspaper Date April 16, 1912
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The Sinking of the Titanic
Fact 1912-Titanic was the largest ship in the
world. April 10, 1912 she left England with 899
sailors and 2,208 passengers.
Fact Titanic was a luxury cruise ship with a
swimming pool, 4 restaurants, 3 galleys, 2
libraries, a squash court, and a gym.
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The Sinking of the Titanic
Fact Constructed with 16 huge watertight
compartments. Therefore the press called her
"unsinkable."
Fact Could accommodate over 3000 people, but
they only had enough lifeboats to carry about
1178 people.
Fact April 15, 1912-hit an iceberg and sank.
There were only 706 survivors. Over 1500 people
died (68).
Video Link Titanic Sinking Animation
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The Sinking of the Titanic
Effect sinking to the bottom of the sea
What exactly was the cause? With 16 watertight
compartments, what caused the Titanic to sink?
The impact damaged five of the watertight
compartments
The water flowed over the top of the watertight
bulkheads
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SPI 0807.Inq.4 Cause and Effect
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