The Scientific Process

SOL 4.1
By Ellen Benegar
Suffolk Public Schools
 Terms to Know:
• Prediction: A forecast about what
may happen.
• Hypothesis: Prediction about the
relationship between variables.
• Experiment: A fair test driven by a
hypothesis.
• Observation: What is seen
• Inference: A conclusion based on
evidence about events that have
already occurred.
• Manipulated Variable: The factor in
the experiment that is changed by
the scientist.
• Responding Variable: The factor in
the experiment that changes as a
result of the manipulated variable.
Introduction to the Scientific
Method
5 Steps of the Scientific
Method
Step 1: Ask a Question
Step 2: Form a Hypothesis
Step 3: Plan and Conduct an
Experiment
Step 4: Analyze the
Experiment
Step 5: Draw a Conclusion
 1. Which cup shows the greatest decrease
in temperature?
2. Which cup shows the least decrease in
temperature?
3. From this data on the graph, which cup
holds heat the longest?

Which Cup Holds Heat the Longest?

155

150
Temperature of Liquid in Fahrenheit

145

Ceramic
140

135 Paper

130
Styrofoam

125

120

115

110
0 minutes 5 minutes 10 minutes 15 minutes 20 minutes
Number of Minutes
What is the conclusion that you
can infer from this experiment?
• A Water stays hot in all types
of cups.
• B Paper cups keep liquid
hotter than other types of
cups.
• C Ceramic mugs are the best
cup to hold hot liquids.
• D Styrofoam cups keep liquid
hotter longer.
 Questions
• What was the manipulated
variable in the experiment of
the 3 cups?
(Hint: the factor that was
changed by the scientist for
the experiment)

A the temperature of the

water
B the type of cup that was
used
C the type of thermometer
used
 Questions
• What was the responding
variable in the experiment
using the 3 cups?
(Hint: this is the thing that
changes during the
experiment)
A the type of thermometer
B the temperature of the
water
C the amount of water
D the size of the cup