Name__________________________________ Partner __________________________________
Scientific Method Lab Using Bubble Gum
The purpose of this lab is to use the Scientific Method to solve a problem.
A) Observe and ask questions that lead to a problem
B) Form a hypothesis
C) Test the hypothesis with a controlled experiment my making observations and gathering
data.
D) Analyze gathered data
E) Reject or Accept your hypothesis
F) Form a conclusion
Materials
2 small pieces of foil
1 piece of fishing line
1 meter stick
1 piece of Double Bubble gum
1 piece of Double Bubble sugar-free gum
Two problems are provided. Your job is to figure out how to answer each question using the
materials provided. The only requirement is that each experiment should be able to give you
some type of quantitative (measurable) data.
Problem #1: Which piece of bubble gum blows the biggest bubble?
Observations
Original Gum
Sugar-Free Gum
1.____________________________
1.__________________________
2.____________________________
2.___________________________
3.____________________________
3.___________________________
Name__________________________________ Partner __________________________________
Hypothesis: Predict which piece of gum will blow the biggest bubble and why. (Use a
complete sentence.)
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Procedure: Describe the procedure you will use to test your hypothesis in enough detail that
the experiment could be replicated by someone else. Be sure to not only describe what to do,
but also how to do it.
Data Table: Design a data collection table to fit the data you will be investigating.
Conclusion: Forming a theory
What brand of gum is the best at blowing bubbles and why? Support your answer with
observations and your data.
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Name__________________________________ Partner __________________________________
PART 2
Problem: How does gum stretchability relate to bubble size?
Hypothesis: Make an educated guess that would answer the above question. (complete
sentence)
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Procedure: Design another procedure that will test the stretchability of each type of gum;
describe in detail. Be sure to not only describe what to do, but also how to do it.
Data Table: Create a data table to fit the data you will be gathering
Name__________________________________ Partner __________________________________
Conclusion:
COMPARE DATA FROM BOTH GROUPS IN PART 1 AND PART 2
How does gum stretchability relate to bubble size? Was your hypothesis correct?
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With your lab partner, list 3 variables that may affect the outcome of this experiment, besides
the ones that you actually tested.
1.
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2.
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3.
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How could you change the procedure to help eliminate bias from the experiment?
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Identify the dependent and independent variables for both experiments.
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