Thinking Science
Carl Sagan, American astronomer, astrophysicist, author and researcher 1934 - 1996
"Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge."
"Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge."
Thinking scientifically increases our scientific literacy.
Click on the button to read about why scientific literacy is important. |
Thinking Science Bridging Concepts
1. Variables, Values and Relationships
How do these butterflies differ, or vary?
A variable is something that can change or have different forms. For example "wing size"
A value is the form a variable can take. For example "large wings or small wings".
Of course we will then use quantities to measure "size".
A variable is something that can change or have different forms. For example "wing size"
A value is the form a variable can take. For example "large wings or small wings".
Of course we will then use quantities to measure "size".
Lessons 6 and 7 - Classification.
Classifying helps us understand relationships between groups.
Classification of Aqueous Mixtures
Think of the variable we used to classify mixtures of water into solutions, colloids and suspensions.
What is the filter paper showing us about the size of particles in each of these aqueous mixtures?
Now think of the two values we used to make two smaller groups.
What is the filter paper showing us about the size of particles in each of these aqueous mixtures?
Now think of the two values we used to make two smaller groups.
Classifying helps us remember the characteristics of of a large number of objects;
For example the planets of our solar system.
How do we classify objects?
Dichotomous keys are built to separate large groups into smaller groups.
Objects in the one group have similar properties.
We think of one variable to break the group into two groups.
We give a value to the variable to contrast and name the two new smaller groups.
For example the planets of our solar system.
How do we classify objects?
Dichotomous keys are built to separate large groups into smaller groups.
Objects in the one group have similar properties.
We think of one variable to break the group into two groups.
We give a value to the variable to contrast and name the two new smaller groups.
Classification of the Four Tissue Types
Visualising the hypothesis - A conceptual model
If we can visualise the relationship between the independent and the dependent variables then it helps us form the hypothesis and predict our expectations.
Once the data is gathered and plotted then we can easily compare the hypothesis with the results.
Lesson 9 Proportionality
You rightly stated that the independent variable was the load and the dependent variable was the lift.
1. Always label the horizontal axis with the independent variable.
2. Always label the vertical axis with the dependent variable. 3. Use your table of data and plot the changes as the load increases. 4. Which way does the line slope? |
You all found that the ratio of load force : lift force was 3:1
- What might be causing this ratio?
- What else can we measure on the apparatus that you used?
- How could you make the lift force less than 3:1?
Proportion, Ratio and FractionsI am training for the Half-Marathon in the City to Surf. The Half-Marathon is 21km in length. Whilst running I am thinking of ratios and proportions!
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Directly proportional relationships.
Describe the similarities between these two graphs.
Lesson 10 Inverse Proportionality
Describe what happened to the strength of the pull of the magnet on the paper clip as the distance between the magnet and the paper clip increased.
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Lesson 9 and 10 Proportionality
Directly Proportional and Inversely Proportional Relationships
- Plot the data, that you have gathered, onto two separate grids.
- Desrcibe the shape of the line on each graph.
- For each graph, write a sentence to desrcibe what happens to the dependent variable as the independent variable increases.
- Each of these types of graph is common. Write on each graph whether it is showing;
an "inversely proportional relationship".
direct_propotion_linear_exponential.pdf | |
File Size: | 97 kb |
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Lesson 11 - Balance Beam and Inverse Proportionality
Electromagnetic radiation and Inverse Proportionality
All Electromagnetic radiation travels at the velocity of light.
The velocity of light has a constant value of 300 000 000 m per second.
Different types of electromagnetic radiation have different wavelengths and different frequencies.
Describe the relationship between velocity of electromagnetic radiation, wavelength and frequency.
Think of the balance beam. Where do you place c, the velocity of electromagnetic radiation as a balance against wavelength and frequency?
If frequency increases what is the effect on wavelength?
c = f λ
Inverse Proportionality applied to Negative Feedback Models
Mammal physiological control of body temperature
Negative feedback in equilibrium systems
Buffering of ocean chemistry to maintain a basic ocean solution.
Lesson 12 Inverse Proportionality. Relationship between current and length of wire
After gathering data you found that as the length of wire increased the current decreased.
Recall the type of relationship this demonstrates.
Remember that in this lesson you kept the voltage constant. Now you can apply the thinking from Lesson 11 above and write an expression relating voltage, current and wire length.
Recall the type of relationship this demonstrates.
Remember that in this lesson you kept the voltage constant. Now you can apply the thinking from Lesson 11 above and write an expression relating voltage, current and wire length.
Georg Ohm was a physicist, mathematician and a teacher. He was the first to use Alessandro Volta’s electrochemical cell to demonstrate the relationship between voltage, current and resistance in a circuit. Ohm published his work on the mathematics associated with electrical circuits in 1827. We honour him today by naming the unit of electrical resistance the ohm.
Ohm found an inverse relationship between current and resistance when the voltage was kept constant. Use the concept of balance and inverse proportionality from Lesson 11 to write the mathematical expression using the symbols; V for voltage, I for current and R for resistance. |
Lesson 15 Multiple Choices - Combinations
A science teacher has a box full of black and white marbles. What is the least number they have to take to be sure of getting two of the same colour?
Review how you worked this out. |
The daughter of the science teacher has a draw full of coloured socks. To make it simple there are five pairs. What is the least number she has to take to be sure of getting two of the same colour?
Review how you worked this out. |
How many different combinations of colours can we find in the following examples?
Now to work through these problems in a practical way.
Note down systems that your group is using to work out the problem.
Now to work through these problems in a practical way.
Note down systems that your group is using to work out the problem.
Think about and explain how the reasoning pattern of combinations relates to:
- the organisation of the Periodic Table of elements;
- the classification of metals and non-metals;
- the classification of mammals
Lesson 13 Probability
Lesson 16 Interaction of Multiple Variables
Yeast is an organism. It belongs to he Fungi Kingdom. Like all organisms yeast has requirements that help it to survive and thrive in its environment. Thriving for yeast means respiring and reproducing. We can encourage yeast to do this by setting up optimum conditions.
- List some of the requirements for all living things.
- Which of these requirements could work together to help yeast respire and reproduce.
- How will we know that yeast is respiring and reproducing? What could we measure?
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Lesson 19 Correlation
Lesson 23 Formal Scientific Conceptual Models - Explaining States of Matter
We have all made models in the past eg model planes. Other examples?
What features do all these models have in common?
A scientific model is a simplified abstraction of a complex reality. Models change over time as more observations are made.
What features do all these models have in common?
A scientific model is a simplified abstraction of a complex reality. Models change over time as more observations are made.
Ptolemy’s ancient model of the solar system with the earth at the centre. It makes sense doesn't it? The sun rises in the east, travels across the sky and sets in the west.
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In the 1600's Copernicus' model included planets orbiting in circles around the sun. The retrograde motion of Mars supported this model.
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Other models were developed until our present model.
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A good scientific model can be used to predict behaviour of the components.
In 1869 Mendeleev constructed his periodic table by listing the elements in columns in order of atomic weight and starting a new column when the characteristics of the elements began to repeat.
He was able to predict the properties of elements that had not been discovered at the time; for example gallium and germanium. |
Lesson 24 - Formal Scientific Conceptual Model for matter - Particle Behaviour
You constructed a flowchart of your OBSERVATIONS when heating a solid.
From your flowchart of OBSERVATIONS build another flowchart of INFERENCES explaining why the observations occurred.
Now you are building a conceptual scientific model.
From your flowchart of OBSERVATIONS build another flowchart of INFERENCES explaining why the observations occurred.
Now you are building a conceptual scientific model.
Lesson 25 - Formal Scientific Conceptual Model for Matter - Particle Size
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Lesson 25 - Formal Scientific Conceptual Model for Matter - Chemical changes
Observations and measurements of materials before and after a change lead us to inferences about particle behaviour.
Observe reactants before and the products after a change to determine whether a physical or a chemical change has occurred.
Observe reactants before and the products after a change to determine whether a physical or a chemical change has occurred.
Example 1
Left: A silvery coloured solid is placed in blue solution. A salmon pink solid and a colourless solution form. Right: A salmon pink solid was placed in a colourless solution. A silvery solid forms and the solution turns blue. |
Example 2
Beige coloured potato chips burn with a bright yellow flame, releasing heat energy and leaving a black solid. |
Example 3
Two colourless solutions are mixed and a yellow solid is formed in a colourless solution. The solid is called a precipitate. |
Example 4
White crystalline solid releases much heat energy and steam, leaving a black solid foam. |
Activity
Use the worksheet embedded below to complete your observations and explanations of the changes to materials.
Record your observations of the properties of water before electrical energy is passed through it and after the completion of the reaction.
Use these observations to explain what has happened to the particles of water during the reaction. Show your explanation in a diagram. |
Record your observations of the properties of water before heat energy is passed through it and after the completion of the change
Use these observations to explain what has happened to the particles of water during the change. Show your explanation in a diagram. |
Record your observations of the properties of sucrose before concentrated acid is added to it and after the completion of the reaction.
Use these observations to explain what has happened to the particles of sucrose during the reaction. Show your explanation in a diagram. |
Record your observations of the properties of sucrose before heat energy is added to it and after the completion of the change
Use these observations to explain what has happened to the particles of sucrose during the reaction. Show your explanation in a diagram. |
Conceptual Model for Electromagnetic Radiation
Identify any trends across the rows marked wavelength, frequency, medium.
Is there any feature that is common in the way these waves are made?
Describe the concept of the photon.
Explain the concept of the photon.
Use the concept of the photon to explain why electromagnetic waves differ in wavelength.
Is there any feature that is common in the way these waves are made?
Describe the concept of the photon.
Explain the concept of the photon.
Use the concept of the photon to explain why electromagnetic waves differ in wavelength.
Lesson 26 Compound Variables - Pressure, density, concentration, velocity, force, resistance...
Pairs of variables acting together produce an effect.
That sinking feeling when wearing stilettos on grass.
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If weight force is constant what has changed to prevent sinking into grass?
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Another way to solve that sinking problem.
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Use the pressure toadstools, Design an investigation to show
(a) the effect of mass on the depth of sinking into sand and
(b) the effect of surface area on the depth of sinking into sand.
(a) the effect of mass on the depth of sinking into sand and
(b) the effect of surface area on the depth of sinking into sand.
Results
Some typical results obtained earlier... Analysing Find the relationship between the depth sunk and the two variables of weight and surface area. (Hint: recall Lessons 11 and 12 on “Keeping balanced” where one side of the equation is a constant.) Write down your thinking. Write down a general expression for the relationship. Congratulations you have now found the equation, or relationship between pressure and weight and surface area. Complete the “More Thinking About” laminated worksheets. |
Application
If my mass = 62.0 kg then my weight force = 608.0 newtons. Surface Area of my bare feet = 400.0 cm2 Surface Area of my boots = 600.0 cm2 Surface Area of my snowshoes = 3600.0 cm2 Calculate the pressure generated by wearing snowshoes, boots. and bare feet. |
Concentration of solutions
Cordial is a yummy drink solution. When you make a glass of cordial to drink you dilute the cordial syrup with water. What variables affect the "sweetness" of the drink solution? You add a small volume of cordial (solute) to a large volume of water (solvent) and mix it in a glass. The "sweetness" of the the cordial drink, or concentration of solutions depends on two variables. What are they? Lets say you wanted to make four glasses of cordial drink solution. You wanted to find the effect of increasing the volume of the water added to the sweetness of the cordial drink. You divide the cordial syrup equally between four glasses. How do you think the sweetness of the cordial drink would change with increasing volume of the glass of solution?
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