Experimental Design & Scientific Method Flashcards

Question

How do you convert 150 pounds to kilograms using the conversion formula?

Answer 1

68.04 kilograms ## Footnote 150 lbs/2.2046 kg = 68.04 kilograms 1 kilogram is equal to 2.2046 pounds. By dividing 150 pounds by 2.2046 kg you find that there are 68.04 kg

Answer 2

C = (F - 32) * 5/9 ## Footnote The formula involves subtracting 32 from the Fahrenheit temperature, multiplying by 5, and then dividing by 9.

Answer 3

37 degrees Celsius ## Footnote To convert 98.6°F to Celsius, first subtract 32 from 98.6, which gives you 66.6. Then multiply 66.6 by 5/9, which equals 37°C.

Answer 4

F = (C * 9/5) + 32 ## Footnote To convert from Celsius to Fahrenheit, multiply the degrees Celsius by 9, divide by 5, and then add 32 to get degrees Fahrenheit.

Answer 5

80.6 degrees Fahrenheit ## Footnote Multiply 27 degrees Celsius by 9, then divide the answer by 5 to get 48.6. Then add 32 to 48.6 to get 80.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Answer 6

mi = km * 0.6214 | 1 mile = 1.609 km ## Footnote To convert kilometers to miles, multiply the kilometers by 0.6214.

Answer 7

* 1 hour = 60 minutes * 60 minutes = 1 hour

Answer 8

Multiply 2.45 hours by 60 minutes/hour to get **147 minutes**. ## Footnote 1 hour = 60 minutes 3.2.45 hr x (60 min/1hr)= 147 minutes

Answer 9

The number of digits in a measured quantity that aids in the value's degree of accuracy and precision. ## Footnote Commonly used in the sciences especially chemistry and physics.

Answer 10

* All non-zero digits are significant. * All zeros in between non-zero digits are significant. * All zeros before the first non-zero digit are not significant. * All zeros to the right of non-zero digits with decimals are significant. * All zeros after a non-zero non-decimal number are not significant.

Answer 11

The final answer will follow the factor's significant figures with the least number of significant digits. ## Footnote Example: 1000/98.3= 10.17293997. There is only 1 significant figure in 1000.Therefore the answer will be rounded to 10.

Answer 12

The final answer should be **rounded to the same number of decimal places** as the measurement with the least number of decimal places. ## Footnote Example: 1230+17=1247. While 1230 has 3 significant figures, 17 only has 2 meaning that when we add them together, our answer will be rounded to 1250 to show the correct amount of significant figures.

Answer 13

After determining the significant figures, when the number following the last significant digit is five or higher, round up the last digit by **one**. ## Footnote Example: 32.67 would be rounded to 32.7

Answer 14

* 1,234: 4 significant figures * 1.23: 3 significant figures

Answer 15

* 0.0000034: 2 significant figures; all zeros before 3 are not significant * 0.04: 1 significant figure; all zeros before 4 are not significant ## Footnote Zeros are just placeholders as they become superfluous when the numbers are converted to scientific notation. (example: 0.0000034 = 3.4 x 10 ^ -6)

Answer 16

* 12,000: 2 significant figures; the trailing zeros are not significant * 20,310: 4 significant figures; the zero after 1 is not significant, but the zero between 2 and 3 is significant

Answer 17

* coefficient * base * exponent

Answer 18

It is a way of **representing** very large or very small numbers. ## Footnote When converting standard notation to scientific notation, move the decimal to the left or right until there is one non-zero integer on its left.

Answer 19

Move the **decimal to the left** until there is one non-zero integer on its left. You then **multiply by ten to the power of the number of places** you moved it to the left. ## Footnote Example: 56,000,000 would be 5.6 x 10^7

Answer 20

Move the **decimal to the right** until there is one non-zero integer on its right. You then **multiply by ten to the *negative* power of the number** you moved it to the right. ## Footnote Example: 0.0045 would be 4.5 x 10^-3

Answer 21

1.5 x 10^8 ## Footnote The final answer is 1.5 x 10^8 with two significant figures.

Answer 22

Qualitative | Qualitative=Quality ## Footnote Qualitative information is based on observation obtained through our senses but not directly measured numerically. *color, taste, feelings*.

Answer 23

Quantitative | Quantitative=Quantity ## Footnote Quantitative information is based on a measurement and reported numerically.

Answer 24

* **Qualitative** observations describe characteristics. * **Quantitative** observations are based on measurements and reported numerically.

Answer 25

Refers to how close multiple measurements of the same value fall. ## Footnote The precision of a measuring instrument refers to the smallest repeatable digit it can measure to.

Answer 26

By assessing a sample's standard deviation or spread of responses. ## Footnote High Standard Deviation = Low precision Low Standard Deviation = High precision

Answer 27

A measurement of how widely spread a data set is. ## Footnote Can help determine the precision of a measurement.

Answer 28

* Random errors * Personal errors

Answer 29

How close values are to the true population value. ## Footnote Accuracy can be measured with percent error which determines the percentage of error between the sample's measured observation and the true measure of the population.

Answer 30

* **Accuracy** refers to how close a measurement is to the true value. * **Precision** refers to how close repeated measurements are to each other. ## Footnote Example: Precision is like hitting the same wrong spot repeatedly on a dartboard.

Answer 31

When measured values are close together but far from the true value, such as a thermometer that consistently reads 3°C too high. ## Footnote Example: Like consistently setting your watch 10 minutes fast—it’s always off, but reliably so.

Answer 32

To test a hypothesis through a series of steps. ## Footnote The purpose is to create controlled conditions for an experiment to limit outside interference and form a conclusion based on the hypothesis. The scientific design process utilizes the scientific method to test a hypothesis.

Answer 33

1. Observe 2. Question 3. Research 4. Create a hypothesis 5. Create an experiment 6. Collect and analyze data 7. Draw a conclusion

Answer 34

1. The experiment must show that a hypothesis is either supported or not supported. 2. The results must be measurable and objective. 3. The experiment must be repeatable by other scientists.

Answer 35

* Supporting evidence of scientific law. * Supporting evidence of scientific theory. ## Footnote Scientific law and theory are supported by evidence through investigations conducted through experimental design.

Answer 36

1. Define variables 2. Formulate a hypothesis 3. Design an experiment 4. Assign subjects 5. Measure the dependent variable

Answer 37

* Experiments need to be relevant to questions, hypotheses, observations, analyses, and conclusions. * They must be supported by measurable, objective data and be repeatable by other scientists.

Answer 38

Defining the variables ## Footnote The variables are factors in the experiment, including independent, dependent, and control variables.

Answer 39

An **educated guess** about the experiment outcome. ## Footnote A hypothesis is formulated before conducting the experiment and can either be supported or rejected by the experiment.

Answer 40

* Treatment group: **receives** the item being tested. * Control group: does **not receive** changes or treatment. ## Footnote The treatment group is compared to the control group to analyze the effects of the experiment. Example: We are testing the effects of fertilizer on plants. We keep all conditions the same: sunlight, soil, type of plant, temperature; the only thing that we change is the addition of fertilizer to the treatment group.

Answer 41

* Random selection * Random assignment ## Footnote Random selection picks a population, while random assignment assigns subjects to groups.

Answer 42

A portion of a population used for study.

Answer 43

A number or feature that is changeable.

Answer 44

The **variable that changes as a result of manipulating** the independent variable.

Answer 45

Y-axis ## Footnote The dependent variable is the measured outcome in an experiment that is affected by the independent variable.

Answer 46

The **variable that is being changed** in an experiment.

Answer 47

X-axis ## Footnote The independent variable is the condition manipulated during an experiment.

Answer 48

The facets of the experiment that are kept the same to ensure that the results are due to the independent variable alone.

Answer 49

To ensure only 1 variable is being tested at a time. ## Footnote A control helps validate the experimental results by providing a baseline for comparison. If multiple variables are tested at the same time a scientist will not know which variable is causing the results.

Answer 50

To **confirm** each other's findings.

Answer 51

To have results and data that can be compared. ## Footnote If there is not data to analyze, scientists will not be able to draw any conclusions about their work.

Answer 52

The collected measurements, observations, and calculations used to form conclusions.

Answer 53

To determine the meaning of the data and any implications they may have for future studies. ## Footnote Interpreting data allows researchers to bring together their findings and describe what they learned from the experiment.

Answer 54

* Title * Abstract * Introduction * Materials and Methods * Results * Discussion/Conclusion * Literature Cited

Answer 55

Results ## Footnote The results section is considered the heart of a research paper. Results should be written in an orderly and logical way so the reader can make sense of the facts.

Answer 56

Illustrating important trends from the experiment. ## Footnote Figures can include line graphs, bar graphs, flow charts, and other visual representations.

Answer 57

Line graph ## Footnote Line graphs contain three to five lines per graph.

Answer 58

Any variance between a measurement taken during an experiment and the established value.

Answer 59

By subtracting the established, or true, value from the measured value.

Answer 60

* Systematic errors * Random errors * Blunders

Answer 61

1. Random error 2. Systematic error

Answer 62

Measurements vary significantly from the true value in a constant and predictable way. | Also known as 'Procedural Error' ## Footnote Have a detrimental effect on data because it skews the data in one direction or the other making it inaccurate. Example: Weights recorded are 5 grams heavier due to a mis-calibrated container.

Answer 63

* Calibrating measuring equipment. * Assuring the anonymity and privacy of survey participants. * Using multiple measuring techniques for a single variable. * Selecting a more randomized sample to prevent sample bias.

Answer 64

Measurements differ from the true value in a random, inconsistent way. ## Footnote Measurements are fluctuating in an inconsistent manner. Numbers are "all over".

Answer 65

* Increasing a sample size. * Taking multiple measurements of each individual and averaging those measurements. * Controlling any variables that may influence results. ## Footnote The more data you have, the less opportunity for error.

Answer 66

* **Systematic error** - occurs consistently and can be caused by issues with the measuring equipment itself. * **Random error** - occurs randomly in space and time and is difficult to predict.

Answer 67

Human error refers to mistakes such as misreading instruments or recording incorrect data, which can affect the reliability of results. ## Footnote Example: A scientist records a weight as 85.3 pounds instead of 58.3 pounds due to tiredness.

Answer 68

A representation of how far off measured values are from the actual values.

Answer 69

Gradual change in an instrument over time, affecting the accuracy of measurements.

Answer 70

Good data should be both accurate and precise. ## Footnote Accurate data correctly reflects the true value, while precise data consistently produces similar results. Both are essential for reliable and valid scientific research.

Answer 71

* Influences policymaking and other important decisions. * Leads to better informed decisions and greater scientific credibility. * Can point out where a study may need to be tweaked or redesigned.

Answer 72

Because the conclusions are based on the researcher's opinions influenced by factors like background, education, and motives. ## Footnote The subjectivity of drawing conclusions highlights the importance of being unbiased in data interpretation.

Answer 73

Sharing the results of the experiment.

Answer 74

They can lead to better science. ## Footnote Disagreements push for more information and better data for new conclusions.

Experimental Design & Scientific Method Flashcards

Describe how the scientific method guides experimentation. Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative data, and understand scientific notation and hypothesis testing. (98 cards)