Scientific Method

EES 105A
Global Environment
Fall 2021

Name______________________ Lab Section ________________ Date____________

Due Date: At the beginning of the following week’s lab. Total Score: ________/50

OBJECTIVE

The objective of today’s exercise is to explore the concept of scientific method by developing and testing a
hypothesis.

BACKGROUND
Science is a body of knowledge that is based on information collected using impartial methods. The scientific
method is typically used to collect this information using the following steps: observation, formulate
hypothesis, test hypothesis, revise hypothesis, draw conclusions, and communicate results. Scientists observe
something happening and try to determine why it happened. Their explanation of why it happened is called
their hypothesis. A scientist can then perform an experiment to test their hypothesis. If the hypothesis (or the
scientist’s explanation) fails, a new explanation is developed and tested. When a seemingly correct hypothesis
is found, often the results are published. In this way the answer to this scientific question is shared with the
whole scientific community. This sharing also gives other scientists a chance to review the results, conduct
their own experiments and challenge the hypothesis. During the Scientific Method Process, it is important to
consider previous studies if they exist - historical data may provide valuable insight in the design of the
experiment. Additionally, when evaluating the results of the experiment, it is often useful to consider other
historical or current factors that may have an impact on the interpretation of the experimental findings. When a
hypothesis has been tested by many scientists and provides an important foundation to a scientific discipline, it
is called a theory.

In today’s exercise we will use the scientific method to predict what will happen when several liquids and solids
are mixed together. Our initial hypothesis will be based on our observation of these materials separately. Next,
we will partially test our hypothesis by mixing two of the materials together and observe if the results are
consistent with our explanation. If necessary, our hypothesis will be reevaluated and retested. Finally, we will
mix all materials together and determine if this result matches our revised hypothesis. We will then compare
our results with the rest of the class and evaluate the results as a whole.

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MATERIALS
 Graduated cylinder
 3 fluids – Water, Vegetable Oil and Karo Syrup
 6 ‘solids’ – Gravel, Pea, Vermiculite, Sesame seed, Sunflower seed, Craisin

METHOD

1. Observe the 3 fluids. Predict what would happen when you mixed all these three fluids in the graduated
cylinder. Draw a sketch to show how you would expect these materials to look when they are all placed in
the graduated cylinder.

2. Next, we want to consider the solid materials. If each solid were placed into a column of the three liquids
what would you expect to happen? Which would sink? Compare the materials and guess where they would
end up in the liquid column. Can you guess if two materials would react similarly based on their texture or
weight?

3. Add the first solid to the column of liquids and records results. Is the result what you expected? If your
hypothesis was incorrect, could you explain why? Based on the result of your first solid re-evaluate the
hypothesis of the remaining solids and modify if necessary.

4. Share the results of your experiment with the class. Were these results repeatable? Are your results
consistent with the results found by the others in the class? If not, can you explain why?

LAB ACTIVITY

Part 1: Liquids Experiment

1. What would happen if you mixed three liquids in same container? Draw a sketch to show how
you would expect these materials to look when they are all placed in the graduated cylinder.
How did you decide on this hypothesis? (5 Points)

2. Is the result what you expected? If your hypothesis was incorrect, explain why? (2 Points)

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Part 2: Solids Experiment

1. What would happen to each of the solid materials you are given if they were dropped into the
column of three liquids? (10 Points)

MATERIAL HYPOTHESIS Result

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

2. Add one solid to your liquid mixture and evaluate. Did the result match your hypothesis? If not
why? (3 points)

3. Based on the results of the first solid, reconsider your hypothesis for the remaining solids. Should
you modify the hypothesis – why or why not? If appropriate, modify the hypothesis for the
remaining 5 solids before you continue with the experiment. (2 points)

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 4. Do your results for remaining 5 solid match your hypothesis for each? If not, propose why the
results are different. (2 Points)

5. After 15 minutes are the results for each of the 6 solids still the same – that is have the solids
moved up or down in the column of fluids? If the solids moved, explain potential reasons why. (2
Points)

Part 3: COMPARING RESULTS:

1. How do your results compare to the rest of the class? (2 Points)

2. Can you explain any discrepancies in your own results or in the results of others? (2 Points)

Part 4: Design your own experiment (20 points)

Each student is to design an experiment using the Scientific Method. Think about a scientific question.
(hypothesis) that you would like to examine. Example: If the amount of rainfall in northeastern PA
increasing dramatically in 2021, than corn production will increase. Explain below in detail what actions you
would take for each step in the scientific method to answer your question/hypothesis.

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