Introduction to Scientific Method Notes NAME___________________
DATE___________
PER___
Key Concept: Scientists use scientific methods to answer questions and to solve
problems
Question
Notes
1. What are Scientific
Methods? Must the steps
always be in the same
order? (pg. 14)
2. List the 6 steps of the
1. ________________________________
scientific method. (Fig. 1 -pg.
2._________________________________
14)
3._________________________________
4._________________________________
5._________________________________
6._________________________________
3. In science what is the
purpose of asking a
question? (p. 15)
4. What is a hypothesis?
(pg. 16)
5. In order to test your
hypothesis you must design
a controlled experiment.
What is a controlled
experiment? (pg 17)
6. What are controlled
parameters (controls) in an
experiment? (pg. 17)
7. What is a variable
(parameter) in an
experiment? (p. 17)
8. What do the results of an
experiment show?
9. After testing, all results are
put in a data chart to see if
your hypothesis is correct.
What step of the scientific
method is this? (p.19)
10. After testing, all results are
put in a data chart to see if
your hypothesis is correct.
What step of the scientific
method is this? (p.19)
11. When you explain whether or
not your hypothesis is correct
and your reasons for saying
so, you are using what step
of the scientific method?
(P.19)
12. What is the last step in the
scientific method? Why is
this important? (pg. 20)

FLOATING/SINKING CANS DEMONSTRATION
After watching the demonstration answer the following:
1. What is your question or state the problem?
2. What two important differences do you see between the classic coke and
the diet caffeine-free coke?
3. What is your hypothesis about which variable(s) cause(s) coke cans to
sink or float?
4. To find out if our hypothesis is correct we must design a controlled
experiment that tests our hypothesis. What was wrong about the way
the teacher tested the variables?
5. List the type of coke cans that should be tested to be sure you have a
controlled experiment.
6. Name at least one control parameter that should be in our experiment.