25 Words All Students Should Know
Science- A method of obtaining knowledge about nature.
Hypothesis- A proposed answer to a question about nature.
Theory- A hypothesis that has been tested many times and has evidence to support it.
Law- A theory that has been tested many times and is generally accepted as true.
Controlled experiment- A method used for testing a hypothesis where the results of the experiment are known before testing.
Variable- a quantity that can be controlled or manipulated.
Experimental group- differs by a factor of one or more independent variables.
Research- The process of collecting information from your own experiences, knowledgeable sources, and data from exploratory experiments.
Data- information recorded from an experiment.
Quantitative Observations- Observations made using mathematical measurements.
Qualitative Observations- Observations made by using the five senses.
Conclusion- What did you learn from the experiment?
Predictions- if then, what if?
Replication- duplicating an experiment.
Biology- The study of life.
Chemistry- The study of the composition of things.
Earth Science- The study of the earth.
Physics- The study of matter and energy.
Technology- Any object that improves the quality of life.
Matter- Anything that has mass, weight, volume and density.
Energy- Light, heat, sound, and electricity are a few examples of energy.
Mass- The measure of the amount of matter in an object.
Weight- The measure of the force of gravity acting on a mass.
Volume- The amount of space a substance takes up.
Temperature- The measure of the amount of heat energy in a substance.
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
The Scientific Method is known by many different names and is defined in many different ways. It also has been described as having as many as ten and as a few as three steps. For the purposes of junior high school science, Numan has chosen to use the 7-step Scientific Method. Please understand that it is not the"Scientific Method" because there is no one true "Scientific Method."
The 8H Scientific Method consists of the following steps:
1. STATE THE PROBLEM
2. COLLECT INFORMATION
3. FORM A HYPOTHESIS
4. TEST THE HYPOTHESIS
5. OBSERVE THE RESULTS
6. RECORD AND STUDY DATA
7. DRAW A CONCLUSION
For a detailed look at the steps of the Scientific Method try this website:
Janice Van Cleave's Scientific Method
The 4 steps of an experiment are:
• Problem
• Procedure
• Observation
• Conclusion
Here are some websites with experiments you can do at home:
The metric system is very important. It sets a standard that all scientists around the world live by. It is this standard that gives it another name, the International system of units SI.
Measurement |
Unit |
Symbol |
length |
meter |
m |
mass |
kilogram |
kg |
volume |
liter |
L |
temperature |
degree Celsius |
C |
time |
second |
s |
Common Prefixes for SI Units
kilo-1000-k
centi-1/100-c
milli-1/1000-m
Visit Numan's Metric Section here:
Measurements
Mass
Mass is measured using a variety of different instruments including:
Scales
and
Balances
Distance
We use meter sticks! They provide measurements as small as a millimeter!
Area = length x width
Area is shown using units that are squared (cm2). On maps, townships and land sections are measured in square miles, which are broken up into acres and square feet..
Volume = length x height x width
Volume is measured using several units. The two most frequently used are the cm3 and ml. They are equal measures. 1cm3 = 1ml.
Volume is often measured using a graduated cylinder.
When liquid is placed in a graduated cylinder a curve
appears on the surface. The curvature of a liquid in a
graduated cylinder is called the meniscus . All measurements should be made from the bottom of the meniscus.
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"I didn't mean to" and "It wasn't my fault" are two statements that have no place in the lab. If someone is hurt or equipment is broken, these statements cannot undo the harm. |
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Horse-play will not be tolerated. If it occurs, those involved will be disqualified from the lab and given a zero for the assignment. |
Remain calm ! A minor problem quickly becomes a major one if you don't:
Report all accidents immediately, no matter how small.
Types
of accidents and how to handle them
Broken Glass
1. The most common accident in the lab, even with the best of care.
2. If you are using the equipment properly, you will not get into trouble for breaking a piece of glassware.
3. If you are not using the equipment properly, or if horse-play is involved, you will be required to pay for the broken glassware.
4. If glassware is broken, stop where you are. Report the breakage to your facilitator.
5. Do not move until your facilitator says it is safe to do so. There will most likely be many small slivers of glass that you do not immediately notice.If anyone is cut, report it immediately.
6. Your facilitator will collect the broken glass, not you.
7. More minor cuts occur after this type of accident than during it.
Minor Cuts and Scratches
Do not contact anyone else's blood!
Report
the incident to the teacher immediately!
Even with the most minor injury, there is potential for infection.
Report
any injuries, however slight!