Thinking Like a Scientist

How much-a weight can-a five

spaghetti-a noodles hold?

Impastable Lab
 Situation Check WoBo Page 2

1. Variables
a. Independent (IV): Values chosen by Experimenter (#, noodles)
b. Dependent (DV): Changes because of the IV (#, balls)
c. Controlled (CV): Are kept constant in experiment

2. Data Tables
a. Set up (IV in 1st column/DV on top)
b. Calculations: Average, Range, Reliability

3. Graphical model
a. Set up (IV on horizontal axis)
b. Best Fit Line (BFL)
Continued…
Situation Check
4. Mathematical model
a. Slope calculation with units: Rise/Run
b. Equation of the line (College Prep Physics Only)

5. Verbal model
a.“For every (denominator), add (numerator)”

6. Claim and Evidence

a. Claim: Answer to Question
b. Evidence: From data & calculations
c. Confidence:
1. Data Table: Are the Reliabilities > 85%
2. Graph: Are data points close to best fit line?
3. Graph: Does the best fit line cross the Y axis close to
where you would expect?
Scientific Questions deal with concepts that we can all
agree on and it can be answered with an experiment.

Patterns allow you to make PREDICTIONS.

Great theories are models that apply to many situations

 Collecting and Presenting Data
Data Table*
Dependent Variable, unit

Independent Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average Range Reliability

Variable, unit

Dependent Variable: the variable that is being tested

Independent Variable: the variable whose values are selected by the

experimenter

Control Variables: the variables whose values are kept the same

*See Equation Sheet for formulas

 Graphical Model

30

25
Dependent Variable

20
Balls, #

15

10

Units
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5

Pasta, #
Independent Variable
 Mathematical Model (slope)

30

OVER 2
25

 
20
Balls, #

UP 15
15

10

Units
0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5

Pasta, #
 (College Prep Physics ONLY)
Mathematical Model (equation of the line)
 𝑌 =𝑚𝑥+𝑏
  7.5 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑠
¿ 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑠= (1 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑎 )
¿ 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑎 +2.5 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑠

Verbal Model

For every 1 pasta noodle, add 7.5 balls of mass

CLAIM: Answer to Research Question
EVIDENCE: Selected from data table, graphical model and mathematical model
Confidence:
1. Data Table: Are the Reliabilities > 85%
2. Graph: Are data points close to best fit line?
3. Graph: Does the best fit line cross the Y axis close to where you would
expect?
 SIGNIFICANT FIGURES WoBo 6

1. Reflects precision of measuring tool.

2. Measuring: Guess one beyond the smallest mark.
3. Place a line over this “guess” digit.
4. Determining SigFigs of a mesurement:

Decimal point?

Pacific Atlantic
Present. Draw Absent. Draw
line L to R to first line R to L to first
non zero digit non zero digit
0.0320 cm 3200 cm
 WoBo 6
5. Rule for Calculations: The answer can only be as
good as the least precise or worst measurement.

(2.0000 m) x (6.87 m) = 13.74 m2 = 13.7 m2 (3 SF)

a atto- 10-18 FLM and conversions
f femto- 10-15
Meter (length)
p pico- 10-12
n nano- 10-9 Gram (mass)
µ micro- 10-6 Second (time)
m milli- 10-3
c centi- 10-2 1. Convert to base (1 always goes with prefix)
d deci - 10-1 2. Convert to unit (1 always goes with prefix)
(base)100  

 
da deka- 101
h hecto- 102
k kilo- 103
M mega- 106
G giga- 109
T tera- 1012
P peta- 1015
 TEST FORMAT
24% (12) MC; 34% (6) Short answer (FLM, measuring, etc.);
39% (1) data/graphing with (7) related questions; 3%: Class discussion
TEST REVIEW
Look at Review in TOPICS…Thinking Like a Scientist…TLS Test Review
AND Concept Builders

MOST COMMON ERRORS

1. Missing Units

2. Significant Figures (Answer as good as worst measurement)

3. Did not FLM when told to do so

STOP HERE
CLAIM: Answer to Research Question

EVIDENCE: Selected from data table, graphical model and mathematical model

ERROR: Error is not mistakes. Error depends on the precision of your

measurements and your ability to control variables. Evidence for error is your
measurements reliability and how close your BFL’s Y intercept is to what you expect.
After noting the error, try to explain it from the way you measured and controlled
variables.
 Mathematical Model (equation of the line and zero rule)

 𝑌 =𝑚𝑥 +𝑏
  7.5 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑠
¿ 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑠= (
1 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑎 )
¿ 𝑝𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑎 +2.5 𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑠

  𝑌 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡
5 %  𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜 𝑟𝑢𝑙𝑒= ×100
𝑌 𝑚𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚

 
= 9%

This is above 5%, so cannot consider Y intercept to be close enough to what

you should expect (zero). This indicates there is some error.