Scientific Method/Measurements

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Scientific Method/Measurements

• An overview of scientific fundamentals

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What is science?

• The word science comes from the Latin word scire
  to know.
• Science is a constant search to answer all the
  questions of the physical universe.

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The Scientific Method (aka Inquiry)

• The Scientific Method- a step by step way to
  answer questions solve problems.
• Steps of the scientific method
• 1)State a problem
• 2)Gather information (research)
• 3)Form a hypothesis
• 4)Test hypothesis (experiment)
• 5)Record analyze data
• 6)State a conclusion
• If hypothesis proves wrong you go back to step
  3 start again with a new hypothesis.
• The problem must be clearly defined.
• Data can be gathered 2 ways. 1) Observation 2)
  Controlled experiments.

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Hypothesis, Theory Law

• Hypothesis a proposed solution to a scientific
  problem. It is based on gathered information.
• Theory a logical explanation of an event in
  nature. A theory must be testable. This is a
  little stronger than a hypothesis.
• Scientific Law a theory that has been
  repeatedly tested accepted as true.
• Even a law can be proven wrong over time.

Albert Einstein had many theories including
Relativity
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The Experimental Setup

• Every experiment should have a variable a
  control.
• Variable- The factor in an experiment being
  tested. It can change in your experiment but
  nothing else can change. An experiment cannot
  give reliable results unless you test one
  variable at a time.
• The independent (manipulated) variable is the
  variable that you purposely change
• The dependent (responding) variable is what you
  observe to change as a result of your independent
  variable. This is what a scientist is trying to
  figure out.
• Control an experiment done exactly the same as
  before but you leave out the variable. A control
  is done for the sake of comparison.
• Data recorded observations measurements. Data
  is best if presented in easy to read charts or
  graphs but can be written out freehand.
• A good conclusion should never be made
  without conducting the experiment more than once.

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Sample Science Experiment

• Dr. Maria Mattingly wonders if she can find a
  cure for cancer. She goes to the archives at her
  lab and examines all the materials they have
  available and calls some colleagues at John
  Hopkins University who are also seeking a cure.
  She thinks that electrical shock treatments and
  Alka Seltzer combined can cure cancer. She gets
  1000 cancer patients to volunteer and gives each
  2 Alka Seltzer. Then she gives 250 patients 100
  volt shocks. She gives 250 patients 500 volt
  shocks and she gives 250 patients 1000 volt
  shocks. She gives 250 alka seltzer only and
  pretends to shock them. She video tapes the
  process and documents each patients response
  and then interviewed each patient. She discovers
  that this technique does not work.

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Section 2 Scientific Methods
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Section 1 Science and Scientists
Why Ask Why?

• Saving Lives Science helps make cars safer in
  many ways. These safety measures help save lives.
• Saving Resources Science helps make resources
  last longer through more-efficient methods of
  recycling.
• Saving the Environment Science helps protect
  the environment and makes the world a healthier
  place.

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Branches of Science

• There are 3 main branches off of the trunk that
  is science.
• 1.Life science (Biology)
• 2.Physical science
• 3.Earth/Space science
• Many of the more familiar fields of science are
  subbranches of these 3 main branches.

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Section 1 Science and Scientists
Scientists Are All Around You

• Meteorologist A meteorologist is a person who
  studies the atmosphere.
• Geochemist A geochemist is a person who
  specializes in the chemistry of rocks, minerals,
  and soil.
• Ecologist An ecologist is a person who studies
  a community of organisms and their nonliving
  environment.

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Section 1 Science and Scientists
Scientists Are All Around You, continued

• Volcanologist A volcanologist is a person who
  studies volcanoes.
• Science Illustrator A science illustrator is a
  person who draws scientific diagrams.

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Section 2 Scientific Methods
Bellringer
Answer the following question How can you prove
that the world is not flat? Write your responses
in your science journal.
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Measurement Systems

• Experiments must use measurements these
  measurements should be reliable, accurate, easy
  to communicate to others.
• There are 3 measurement systems commonly used
  today.
• 1.The Metric System (most common).
• 2.The SI system (scientists) it is almost he
  same as the Metric system
• 3.The English System used only by USA and small
  African country.

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Length

• Length- distance from one point to another.
• Long distances in space are measured in
  light-years. A light-year is the distance light
  can travel in one year. (AT LIGHT SPEED!)

1 lightyear 9.4605284 1015 meters
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Area

• Area- a 2 dimensional (2D) measurement. To find
  area of a surface you measure the length in 2
  directions multiply them.
• Area Length X Width

Carpet or tile flooring requires an area
measurement
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Volume

• Volume the total space an object occupies.
  Volume is a 3D measurement.
• Volume Length X Width X Height.
• Volume of an irregular object can be found using
  Archimedes Principle (displacement of water).

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Mass and Weight

• Mass- the total amount of matter in an
  object.(how many and what type of atom/molecule)
• Weight the measure of attraction between
  objects caused by gravity.
  Mass X a gravitational constant.
• Mass Weight are not the same. Weight
  depends on gravity.
• Ex On the moon you would weigh 1/6 what you weigh
  on Earth but your mass doesnt change. This is
  due to less gravity on the moon.

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Density

• Density the amount of matter an object has for
  the space it occupies. (Mass per unit volume).
• Density Mass/Volume
• Mass Density have a direct relationship. (Mass
  Density , Mass v Density v ).
• Volume Density have an inverse relationship.
  (Vol. Density v, Vol. v Density ).

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Temperature

• Temperature - the amount of thermal energy (heat)
  in an object.
• This is where the metric system the SI system
  are different.
• All temperature scales are based on the freezing
  boiling points of water

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Temperature (cont.)
Scale Scale Celsius Farenheight Kelvin
 
  Water freezing pt 0 32 273
 
  Water boiling pt 100 212 373

Zero degrees Kelvin is called absolute zero. At
absolute zero all molecular motion theoretically
ceases. (NO NEGATIVE TEMPERATURES)
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Measurement System Comparisons
System Metric SI English

Measures
Length Meter ( prefix) Meter ( prefix) Inches,feet,yards,miles
Area meter square ( prefix) m2 meter square ( prefix) m2 square English units ft2
Volume meter cubed (m3) or liter ( prefix) meter cubed (m3) or liter ( prefix) cubed English unit mi3
Mass gram (prefix) Metric Ton gram (prefix) Metric Ton Ounces, pounds, tons
Density grams/cm3 (prefix can change) grams/cm3 (prefix can change) a mass unit/ a volume unit
Temp. Celsius Kelvin Farenheight
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Section 5 Tools, Measurement, and Safety
Bellringer
How would a standard system of weights and
measures, agreed to and used around the world,
make life easier? Give examples. Write your
answers in your science journal.
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Tools of the Scientist

• A scientist can use many tools depending on the
  field of study he/she is in.
• All fields of scientist use measuring tools,
  communication tools computers.

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Section 3 Scientific Models
Types of Scientific Models

• A representation of an object or a system is
  called a model or prototype.

• Physical Models look like they thing they
  represent. For example, the model flower shown at
  right can be used to learn the parts of a real
  flower.

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Section 3 Scientific Models
Types of Scientific Models, continued

• Mathematical Models are made up of mathematical
  equations and data. The weather map shown below
  is a mathematical model.

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Section 3 Scientific Models
Types of Scientific Models, continued

• Conceptual Models are systems of ideas or are
  based on making comparisons with familiar things
  to explain an idea.
• The big bang theory explains the origin of the
  universe. This theory is an example of a
  conceptual model.

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Section 3 Scientific Models
Models Are Just the Right Size

• Models are often used to represent things that
  are very small or very large.
• Models are useful for studying cells and
  particles of matter that are too small to see
  with the unaided eye.
• Models are also useful for studying objects that
  are too large to see completely, such as the
  Earth or the solar system.

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Section 3 Scientific Models
Bellringer
To teach cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR),
instructors often use a mannequin to model a
human upper torso and head. Why do you think CPR
is taught with a model instead of a real human?
Would the class be as effective if a model were
not used? Explain your answer.
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Section 4 Science and Engineering
What Is Technology

• Technology refers to the products and processes
  that are designed to serve our needs.
• Technology also refers to the tools and methods
  for creating these products.
• Technology applies to any product, process, or
  knowledge that is developed to meet a need.

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Section 4 Science and Engineering
How Does Science Relate to Technology?

• Engineering uses scientific knowledge to develop
  technologies.
• Engineers use science and mathematics to create
  new technologies that serve human needs.
• There are many different types of engineers who
  develop a variety of very different products.

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Section 4 Science and Engineering
How Does Science Relate to Technology? continued

• Engineering is the process of creating
  technology.
• Scientists, inventors, business owners, artists,
  and even students have also engineered new
  technologies.
• Anyone can follow the engineering design process
  to solve a problem or address a need.

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Section 4 Science and Engineering
What is the Engineering Design Process?

• The engineering design process has similarities
  to the scientific process.
• Like the scientific process, some steps may
  require repeating or modifying to fit different
  needs.

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Section 4 Science and Engineering
What is the Engineering Design Process? continued

• Step 1 Ask Identifying and Researching a Need
• Engineers define and describe the need or
  problem they are trying to solve.
• Research provides engineers with information for
  problem solving.

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Section 4 Science and Engineering
What is the Engineering Design Process? continued

• Step 2 Imagine Developing Possible Solutions
• Brainstorming is the process in which a group of
  people share ideas quickly to promote additional
  ideas.
• Sometimes a possible solution to the problem
  comes from these ideas or it may take more time
  and thought.

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Section 4 Science and Engineering
What is the Engineering Design Process? continued

• Step 3 Plan Making a prototype
• A prototype is a test model of the product.
• Prototypes allow engineers to see if their
  design works the way they expect it to.

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Section 4 Science and Engineering
What is the Engineering Design Process? continued

• Step 4 Create Testing and Evaluating
• Prototypes are tested and evaluated.
• Engineers complete a cost-benefit analysis to
  make sure that the cost of designing and
  producing the new product is worth its benefit.
• For example, it may only makes sense to produce
  a new product if it is not too expensive to
  produce.

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Section 4 Science and Engineering
What is the Engineering Design Process? continued

• Step 5 Improve Modifying and Retesting the
  Solution
• If a prototype was not successful or did not
  work well, engineers would either modify their
  prototype or try a new solution.
• It is important that the engineers consider what
  was learned from the first prototype before they
  begin the design process again.

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Section 4 Science and Engineering
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Section 4 Science and Engineering
What is the Engineering Design Process? continued

• Communication Engineers often need to share
  their successes, failures, and reasoning with
  others.
• Engineers may explain and promote the technology
  to customers, or they may communicate with the
  public through news releases, advertisements, or
  journals.

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Section 4 Science and Engineering
Technology and Society

• Technology provides solutions for many types of
  social, political, and economic needs.
• Intended Benefit An intended benefit is the
  positive purpose for which a technology is
  designed to be used.
• Unintended Consequences Unintended consequences
  are uses or results that engineers do not
  purposely include in the design of products. An
  unintended consequence can be beneficial.

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Section 4 Science and Engineering
Bioengineering

• Bioengineering The application of engineering
  to living things, such as humans and plants, is
  called bioengineering.

Assistive Technology (Device) The term
assistive technology device means any item,
piece of equipment, or product system, whether
acquired commercially, modified, or customized,
that is used to increase, maintain, or improve
functional capabilities of individuals with
disabilities. Assistive Technology Act of 1998,
S.2432 Adaptive Technology (Device) An item
that is specifically designed for persons with
disabilities devices which would seldom be used
by non-disabled persons. Glossary, Family Center
on Technology and Disability
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Section 4 Science and Engineering
Bioengineering, continued

• Assistive Bioengineering Bioengineered
  technologies can be classified as either
  assistive or adaptive.
• Assistive technologies are developed to help
  organisms without changing them. Ex. Eye glasses,
  hearing aids, crutches, pacemakers, ect.
• Adaptive bioengineered products change the
  living organism. Ex. Mechanical Limbs, cochlear
  implants, ect.

Prosthetics Examples of Adaptive Technology