SCIENTIFIC METHODSCIENTIFIC METHOD1. 1. FACT :FACT : An observable event; indisputable evidence which does An observable event; indisputable evidence which does not explain but simply is.not explain but simply is.

2. 2. HYPOTHESIS:HYPOTHESIS: A guess to try to explain an observation. A guess to try to explain an observation.

3. 3. EXPERIMENT:EXPERIMENT: A systematic exploration of an observation or A systematic exploration of an observation or concept.concept.

4. 4. THEORY:THEORY: An explanation of the facts; it can be proven by An explanation of the facts; it can be proven by experiment and it confirms an hypothesis.experiment and it confirms an hypothesis.

5. 5. LAW:LAW: A theory which has undergone rigorous experimentation A theory which has undergone rigorous experimentation and no contradiction can be found.and no contradiction can be found.Note:Note: MODEL:MODEL: A visual or mathematical device or method used to demonstrate a A visual or mathematical device or method used to demonstrate a theory or concept.theory or concept.

Sc i ent i fi c Met h od

L A W

further experim enta tion

T heory

D eve lopem ent of newexperim enta tion and theory

New hypothes is

E xperim enta tion

A Hypothes is

A ques tion

Observation of an event or objec t

EXPERIMENTSEXPERIMENTS

In ancient Greece philosophers, like Aristotle, did very little physical experimentation. Mental exercises were the preferred method for solving problems.

SCIENTIFIC METHODSCIENTIFIC METHOD depends on experimentation therefore the ability to make measurements is vital when using scientific method.

ACCURACY vs. PRECISIONACCURACY vs. PRECISION Accurate & precise inaccurate but

precise

inaccurate & imprecise

MEASUREMENTSMEASUREMENTSSSignificant ignificant FFiguresigures

1. All nonzero numbers are significant figures.

2. Zero’s follow the rules below.

Zero’s between numbers are significant.

30.09 has 4 SF

Zero’s that precede are NOT significant.

0.000034 has 2 SF

Zero’s at the end of decimals are significant.

0.00900 has 3 SF Zero’s at the end without decimals are ambiguous.

4050 has either 4 SF or 3 SF

MEASUREMENTSMEASUREMENTSSSignificant ignificant FFigures & Calculationsigures & Calculations

Significant figures are based on the tools used to make the measurement. An imprecise tool will negate the precision of the other tools used. The following rules are used when measurements are used in calculations.

Adding/subtracting

The result should be rounded to the same number of decimal places as the measurement with the least decimal places.

Multiplying/dividing

The result should contain the same number of significant figures as the measurement with the least significant figures.

MEASUREMENTSMEASUREMENTSSSignificant ignificant FFigures & Calculationsigures & Calculations

Adding/subtracting

345.678 0.07283

+ 12.67 -0.0162789

Multiplying/dividing

12.0340 x 3.98 =

98.657 / 43 =

358.35 0.05655

47.9

2.3

MEASUREMENTSMEASUREMENTSScientific NotationScientific Notation

Many measurements in science involve either very large numbers or very small numbers (#). Scientific notation is one method for communicating these types of numbers with minimal writing.

GENERIC FORMAT:GENERIC FORMAT: # . # #… x 10 # . # #… x 10##

A negative exponent represents a number less than 1 and a positive exponent represents a number greater than 1.

6.75 x 10-3 is the same as 0.00675

6.75 x 103 is the same as 6750

MEASUREMENTSMEASUREMENTSScientific NotationScientific Notation

Give the following in scientific notation (or write it out) with the appropriate significant figures.

1. 528900300000 =

2. 0.000000000003400 =

3. 0.23 =

4. 5.678 x 10-7 =

5. 9.8 x 104 =

5.289003 x 1011

3.400 x 10-12

2.3 x 10-1

0.0000005678

98000

PRACTICE PROBLEMS #1PRACTICE PROBLEMS #1Show your work for the following questions on the back. Always give the correct significant figures.

1. Express each of the following numbers in scientific notation & 3 significant figures.

A) 3445490087 _______ C) 0.008768 _______

B) 0.0000008243 _______ D) 23560 _______

2. 0.003496 - 0.002998 = ________________

3. (4.36-5.62) / (32.98 + 2.4) = ______________________

4. 8.453 x 10- 43 / 7.7 x 10-33 = ________________

5. [(56.7 x 10-6) (32 x 1011)]5 / (5.6 x 1017)1/2 = __________

3.45 x 109

8.24 x 10-7

8.77 x 10-3

2.36 x 104

4.98 x 10 -4

- 3.56 x 10-2

1.1 x 10 -10

2.6 x 1032

GROUP STUDY PROBLEM #1GROUP STUDY PROBLEM #1Show all work for the following questions on the back page. Always give the correct significant figures.

1. What is the scientific method?

2. Describe the difference between accuracy and precision.

3. Explain why tasting chemicals during an experiment is not a safe practice?

4. Express each of the following numbers in scientific notation.

a) 0.0404 _______ b) 0.0081 _______

c) 40.0 _______ d) 2900000 _______

e) 0.0000055 _______ f) 40300 _______

6. (452 x 6.2) / 14.30 = ______________________

7. 98.78564 - 97.9299 = ________________

8. 6.022 x 1023 / 1.9 x 10-19 = ________________

9. ( 0.3 - 0.09) / (4.3 x 10-3 + 7.232 x 10-4) = ____________

10. [(2.4 x 1012) (5.78 x 10-31)]3 / (2.965 x 1014)1/2 = __________