Nature+of+Science+Unit

//We won't go through them in exactly this order, but the objectives for this unit are that you will be able to do all of the following by the time we're done. Mastering these skills will give you a huge, HUGE leg up as you go through the rest of your science education:// 1. Define science. 2. Design a scientific investigation. 3. Carry out a scientific investigation. Science involves keeping track of data and presenting it in a way that is easily understood. 4. Communicate findings in a way that will be easily understood by other scientists. Write procedures that are clear and replicable. Prepare informal and formal lab reports. 5. Use mathematical operations to assist in scientific analysis. 6. Explain density and specific gravity. Be able to use the density formula to solve for missing values. 7. Be able to use several methods to find the density of solids and liquids. 8. Be able to correctly use scientific instrumentation such as triple beam balances, electronic balances, and calipers to obtain sound data. 9. Diagram an atom, and know the charges of the three major subatomic particles. 10. Explain how the density of water changes under different environmental conditions, and the effect of these changes upon Earth systems.
 * Nature of Science**
 * a. Use the PLORNT criteria to evaluate whether a claim is scientific, pseudoscientific, or non-science.
 * b. Distinguish between different kinds of scientific explanations (facts, hypotheses, laws, theories).
 * a. Ask a scientific question.
 * b. Propose a prediction and hypothesis. Know the difference between a prediction and a hypothesis.
 * c. Design a fair test of the prediction.
 * d. Identify variables as independent, dependent, or control.
 * a. Distinguish between precision and accuracy.
 * b. Use significant figures.
 * c. Calculate percent error.
 * d. Perform unit conversions (dimensional analysis) within the metric system.
 * e. Know metric system prefixes (Kids Have Dark umbrellas During Cloudy Mornings).
 * e. Know what metric system units measure volume, length, mass, density, and area.
 * Distinguish between an atom, an element, a compound, and a molecule.
 * Explain density, and states and properties of matter in terms of atomic structure and activity.
 * Distinguish between solutions, suspensions, and colloids.

Accuracy Atom Bond Colloid Compound Density Electron Element Fact Fair test Hypothesis Law Mass Metric system Molecule Neutron Non-science Observation Precision Prediction Proton Pseudoscience Science Solution Suspension Theory Variable Volume
 * Vocabulary**
 * Control
 * Dependent
 * Independent

Dimensional Analysis: [|Part 1] (Problems 1-3, 6-9, 11-12), [|Part 2] (Problems 1-3, 6-8, 12), and [|Part 3] (Problems 1-3, 8). A couple of these problems //are// harder than what we've done in class, and harder than what is on the test. But if you can complete them, then you know you understand dimensional analysis well!
 * Practice Problems**