Chem Catalyst: (A catalyst is something that makes a reaction occur faster, with less energy.  Most labs will begin with a chem. catalyst to make the lab easier to learn, with less energy.)  Today’s lab is about classifying data.  So while you are working, think about how you can group the kinds of information you are processing.

 

You see a gold ring on sale at a yard sale for $2.50.  You have seen similar rings at the mall for $100. 

Do you think they are both gold?  (Please circle your best educated guess.  In other words, your…

HYPOTHESIS: Yes/ No

RATIONALE: (Your hypothesis must always be supported by good reasoning.  Please write your reasons for your hypothesis.)

 

 

 

Instructions:

Around the room there are 5 stations.  I will give you a few minutes to complete each station.  You do not need to go through the stations in order, but make sure you complete them in the proper space on this page.  I will tell you when you can move to the following station.  Please note, there are 5 stations and 6 groups.  That means that one group will be quietly waiting at any given time.

Repeat the following set of instructions at each of 4 stations. (Note: Only one baggie per group at each station)

1. Describe the starting ingredients and list the amounts given at the station in the table below.

2. Follow the specific procedure given at each station for mixing the substances in a baggie.

3. Observe what happens when you mix the substances.

4. Label the baggie and take it with you as you follow the stations.  Make final observations of the products at the end of the lab.

5. On the reverse side of this work sheet, fill in the data table, recording your observations and a description of the product.

Procedure:

Station	Describe the reagents  (Do not list them)	Describe what happened when you mixed the reagents.	Describe the final products.	What do you think happened in the reaction?
A
B
C
D
E

 

 

 

Wait here for notes.  Take out your notebook and be prepared to write.

 

Questions:

1. Write 3 testable questions you have about each product (Using the guidelines in your notes).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Define observation.

 

3. Define inference.

 

4. Which do we prefer in science, observations or inferences?  Why?

 

 

 

5. Define qualitative data.

 

6. Define quantitative data.

 

7. Which do we prefer in science, qualitative or quantitative? Why

 

 

8. Describe a good scientific question?

 

 

For each of the following identify the statement as an observation or inference AND qualitative or quantitative. Circle one from each parenthesis.

1. The room is currently 22⁰C. 

(observation / inference) (qualitative / quantitative)

2. The sky is blue. 

(observation / inference) (qualitative / quantitative)

3. 4L of Carbon dioxide gas was produced in today’s lab. 

(observation / inference) (qualitative / quantitative)

4. Concrete hardens when mixed with water.

(observation / inference) (qualitative / quantitative)

5. One of the stations got cold when mixed with water.

(observation / inference) (qualitative / quantitative)

 

6. Write 10 observations about things you experience today.  Write a testable question for each observation.

 

 

 

 

NOTES: ALL THAT GLITTERS

Please list the steps of the scientific method.

 

Observation- something you can sense (or use a tool to sense)

          Ex. Taste, temperature, color, bubbles forming, sounds, pressure,

Inference – Data that requires thought to develop.

          Ex. Molecules reacting,

SCIENCE PREFERS OBSERVATIONS- YOUR THOUGHTS MAY BE WRONG.

 

Qualitative - think “quality” – any data that you cannot number.

          Ex. Hot/cold, bubbles formed

Quantitative – think “quantity” – data with numbers

          Ex. 34^oC, 3nm, 100.00ml

SCIENCE PREFERS QUANTITATIVE – NUMBERS ARE MORE TESTABLE.

 

Questions – must be testable with current technology

               - Yes/no are best- there is no ambiguity

               - Text book word find example.

 

Today’s lab is all about gathering and classifying data.  We classify data in two ways. 

1) Data may be quantitative or qualitative.  Quantitative (think quantity) is any data that you measured with a number.  Some examples include temperatures, distances, wavelengths of light.  Qualitative (think quality) is data that cannot be numbered.  Some examples include warm or cold, far or near, color of light.

2) Data may be observations or inferences.  Better put, data should always be observations.  You always try to avoid inferences.  An observation is something that you know from your senses or the aid of a tool.  Examples include temperatures, warm or cold, bubbles forming.  Inferences are thoughts that you derive from the data.  Examples include likes or dislikes, what material is in the bubbles.