1.1 : Scientific Inquiry and Method

Scientific Inquiry and Method

Scientific inquiry is how we ask questions and find answers about the world around us. Scientists use the scientific method to test ideas and learn from evidence. This process helps them study everything from tiny germs to massive planets.

The scientific method follows these key steps:

• Observation – Noticing something interesting in the world
• Question – Asking a question about the observation
• Hypothesis – Making a prediction or an educated guess
• Experiment – Testing the hypothesis through an experiment
• Data Collection & Analysis – Recording and examining results
• Conclusion – Determining whether the results support the hypothesis
• Communication – Sharing findings with others

Science and Engineering Practices (SEP): Analyzing and Interpreting Data

Scientists collect and analyze data to identify patterns and draw conclusions. You can apply this skill by conducting a simple experiment.

Activity:

Investigating the Effect of Temperature on the Bounce Height of a Ball.

1. Take three identical rubber balls and place them in different temperature conditions:
   • One in a freezer for 30 minutes
   • One at room temperature
   • One in warm water for 10 minutes (then dried before testing)
2. Drop each ball from the same height onto a hard surface.
3. Measure and record how high each ball bounces.
4. Repeat the test three times for each ball and find the average bounce height.

Questions to Consider:

• Which ball bounced the highest?
• How does temperature affect the bounce height?
• What do your results suggest about how heat affects the movement of molecules in a material?

By analyzing the data you collect, you are practicing scientific thinking.

Crosscutting Concept (CCC): Scale, Proportion, and Quantity

Understanding size and quantity is crucial in science. Scientists compare measurements to identify relationships between different factors.

In the ball experiment, comparing the bounce heights of balls at different temperatures helps determine how heat affects elasticity. This concept, called scale, allows scientists to observe how small changes, such as temperature differences, influence physical properties.

Scientists use this principle across various fields. They study how molecules move at different temperatures, analyze forces acting on large structures like bridges, and examine how planetary orbits change over time. Measuring and comparing scales helps them understand complex systems and how they interact.