Science ISA DEMO

Science, or more specifically, scientific inquiry, is a way of learning about the natural world by observing things, asking questions, proposing answers, and testing those answers.

Scientific inquiry is a problem-solving process that helps us better understand observable phenomena.

The main goal of science is to understand the natural world, and the main product is knowledge in the form of facts, laws, and theories.

→ Goal: Understand the natural world → Product: Knowledge (facts, laws, theories)

Scientists gather many observations or set up experiments to provide evidence that may help them answer their questions.

Scientists use their five senses (and tools to extend them) to gather observations as evidence to answer questions about the natural world.

• Law: Describes what happens (based on extensive empirical data); does not explain why.
• Theory: Explains why something happens; supported by evidence and creativity.
• Hypothesis: A testable, untested explanation or prediction that can be supported or refuted through investigation.

• Theories rely on limited observations — new evidence can always contradict them.
• Laws are generalizations — impossible to test every possible scenario.

• Reproducibility
• Following the scientific method
• Extensive and controlled testing

Scientific investigations result from our curiosity about the natural world. Our observations lead us to wonder…

→ Begins with questions that arise from curiosity and observation.

Variables are any factors that could affect the outcome of an investigation.

→ Anything that can influence the results.

1. Independent variable: Changed or manipulated (cause).
2. Dependent variable: Measured; affected by the independent variable (effect).
3. Controlled variables: Factors kept constant to ensure fair testing.

To ensure that any observed effect is due only to that variable, not others.

• Independent variable: Amount/type of fertilizer
• Dependent variable: Plant growth rate
• Controlled variables:
  • Soil type and pot size
  • Amount of water
  • Sunlight exposure

• Hypothesis: A testable proposed explanation.
• Prediction: A statement of what will happen if the hypothesis is correct.

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Dependent vs. Independent

• Independent variable: x-axis
• Dependent variable: y-axis

• Axes do not have to share the same scale.
• Do not underline axis titles.
• Label axes with both quantity and unit (e.g., “Temperature (°C)”).

• Scales should be in ascending order.

• Circle the data point to indicate uncertainty.

• Represents average trend through data points.
• Used to show trends or relationships.
• Line of best fit: Straight; used for linear data.
• Curve of best fit: Used for non-linear (e.g., exponential) data.

Interpolation uses existing data to determine a value within the measured range using the line of best fit.

Extrapolation uses existing data to predict future values based on the established trend.

• Interpolation: Estimates values within known data points.
• Extrapolation: Predicts values beyond known data points.

Notes that link to this note (AKA backlinks).

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