Looking For Patterns
Introduction
Not all observations and measurements allow a scientist to see an immediately obvious pattern.
Sometimes, it takes considerable time to gather enough data to be certain a pattern is there at all.
However, once the data is collected it becomes possible to propose a hypothesis to explain the
pattern that has been detected.
Aim:
To examine data collected from observations and measurements on a given phenomenon and
determine if a pattern can be detected that can form the foundation of an explanatory hypothesis.
Material
Computer
Data set from the Casey Station in Antarctica
http://www.sws.bom.gov.au/Geophysical/5/2/1
Secondary source about Aurora Australis
https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/4941780/the-aurora-australis-a-dazzling-display-ofmagic-and-light-photos-video/
Making a Fractal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFEYQMrWNHU
Secondary Source information about Fractals
https://mathigon.org/course/fractals/introduction
Secondary source information on the behaviour of unstable isotopes
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/Sup
plemental_Modules_(Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry)/Nuclear_Chemistry/Nuclear_Energetics
_and_Stability/Nuclear_Magic_Numbers
Method:
Aurora Australis
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Summarise the information from the Newcastle Herald about the Aurora Australis
Look at the following data set from the Casey Station in Antarctica.
Record the information on to the table for every 7th day for 10 weeks.
Graph the information see if there is a pattern
Write a hypothesis looking at the data that was collected.
Fractals
1)
2)
3)
4)
Read through and complete the questions related to Fractals in Mathigon
Create 2 fractals using a drawing took like paint
Add this to the results.
Write a hypothesis from the data that was collected
Unstable Isotopes
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Read and summarise the Secondary Source information about isotope Stability
Find out how to find the protons and neutrons from the Periodic Table
Complete the Table shown the protons and neutrons in elements from the Periodic Table.
Graph the results the protons vs neutrons on the Periodic Table
Place in a linear 1:1 trendline
Write a hypothesis from the data you have collected
Results:
Aurora Australis
Date
Time of the Day
2:43
5:43
Graph the Results
8:43
11:43
17:43
20:43
23:43
Fractals Images
Unstable Isotopes
Element
Hydrogen
Lithium
Carbon
Fluorine
Magnesium
Phosphorus
Argon
Scandium
Chromium
Cobalt
Zinc
Arsenic
Krypton
Yttrium
Molybdenum
Rhodium
Cadmium
Antimony
Xenon
Lanthanum
Neodymium
Number of Protons
Graph of the Unstable Isotopes
Number of neutrons
Hypothesis:
Aurora Australis
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Fractals
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Unstable isotopes
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Discussion
1) Justify the reasoning for the hypothesis, with reference to the available data.
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2) Describe 1 type of investigation that would need to be undertaken to confirm or reject 1 of
hypothesis proposed. Include the dependent and independent variables and any variables
that would need to be controlled.
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3) Predict what would happened in the data if a variable in an experiment designed to test the
hypothesis (From Question 2) was not controlled.
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4) Describe how failing to control the variable in question 3 would impact the decision to
accept or reject the hypothesis.
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Conclusion:
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