Question

name: nathan robinson
period:
scientific method story worksheet
analyzing the elements of a scientific method
read the following story and then answer the questions.
you and your friend are walking along a beach in maine on january 15, at 8:00 am. you notice a thermometer on a nearby building that reads -1°c. you also notice that there is snow on the roof of the building and icicles hanging from the roof. you further notice a pool of sea water in the sand near the ocean. your friend looks at the icicles and the pool and says, \how come the water on the roof is frozen and the sea water is not?\ you answer, \i think that the salt in the sea water keeps it from freezing at -1°c.\ you go on to say, \and i think under the same conditions, the same thing will happen tomorrow.\ your friend asks, \how can you be sure?\ you answer, \im going to get some fresh water and some salt water and expose them to a temperature of -1°c and see what happens.\
questions:

1. in which statement is a prediction made?
2. which statement states a problem?
3. in which statement is an experiment described?
4. which statement contains a hypothesis?
5. which statements contain data?
6. which statements describe observations?

Explanation:

1. A prediction anticipates future events. "And I think under the same conditions, the same thing will happen tomorrow." is a prediction.
2. A problem is a question to be solved. "How come the water on the roof is frozen and the sea - water is not?" states the problem.
3. An experiment is a test to prove or disprove a hypothesis. "I'm going to get some fresh water and some salt water and expose them to a temperature of - 1°C and see what happens." describes the experiment.
4. A hypothesis is a proposed explanation. "I think that the salt in the sea water keeps it from freezing at - 1°C." is a hypothesis.
5. Data are facts or numbers from which conclusions can be drawn. The temperature reading of - 1°C is data. So, "You notice a thermometer on a nearby building that reads - 1°C." contains data.
6. Observations are things noticed using the senses. "You notice a thermometer on a nearby building that reads - 1°C. You also notice that there is snow on the roof of the building and icicles hanging from the roof. You further notice a pool of sea water in the sand near the ocean." are observations.

Answer:

1. "And I think under the same conditions, the same thing will happen tomorrow."
2. "How come the water on the roof is frozen and the sea - water is not?"
3. "I'm going to get some fresh water and some salt water and expose them to a temperature of - 1°C and see what happens."
4. "I think that the salt in the sea water keeps it from freezing at - 1°C."
5. "You notice a thermometer on a nearby building that reads - 1°C."
6. "You notice a thermometer on a nearby building that reads - 1°C. You also notice that there is snow on the roof of the building and icicles hanging from the roof. You further notice a pool of sea water in the sand near the ocean."