The First Assignment In Your Scientific Method Project Is A
The First Assignment In Your Scientific Method Project Is A Bit Of Br
The first assignment in your Scientific Method Project is a bit of brainstorming. I want you to really notice what's happening around you this week. Do you see things you can't explain? Are you curious about why something happens, or what would happen if you changed certain conditions? You are going to pick 3 problems/observations in YOUR daily life that you could design and perform an experiment to answer. You are going to be working on this experiment all semester, so make it something that really interests you.
Skills: Observe problems occurring in your daily life. Identify which problems can be investigated using scientific means and measurements.
Tasks: Your assignment should include these headings:
- Problem #1: A brief explanation of the problem and how it relates to your daily life. List the instruments (scale, measuring cup, timer, ruler, etc.) and process you'd use to measure your dependent variable (what happens as a result of your experiment). A selfie photo you took of this problem (inserted in your document).
- Problem #2: A brief explanation of the problem and how it relates to your daily life. List the instruments (scale, measuring cup, timer, ruler, etc.) and process you'd use to measure your dependent variable. A selfie photo you took of this problem (inserted in your document).
- Problem #3: A brief explanation of the problem and how it relates to your daily life. List the instruments (scale, measuring cup, timer, ruler, etc.) and process you'd use to measure your dependent variable. A selfie photo you took of this problem (inserted in your document).
Criteria for Success: Do not search the internet for an experiment/demo, it will be checked for plagiarism. We aren't illustrating how diffusion works. We are solving problems. Simple problems like my phone/game controller/remote won't charge, or any example about feeding a pet.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
Scientific inquiry is rooted in everyday problem-solving, which involves observing issues in daily life and designing experiments to understand and address them. The process encourages curiosity and application of scientific principles to real-world situations. For this project, I have identified three common problems from my daily environment that can be examined through simple experiments. These problems not only are relevant to my routines but also provide opportunities to apply measurements and observations systematically.
Problem #1: Phone Charging Issue
The first problem I observed concerns my smartphone's charging behavior. On multiple occasions, my phone either takes an unusually long time to charge or fails to charge altogether. This issue significantly impacts my daily communication and productivity, especially during periods when I rely heavily on my device for work and communication. Understanding the potential causes and testing possible solutions can help improve the charging process.
The problem relates to everyday life because most people depend on smartphones, and charging problems can cause inconvenience and productivity loss. It’s relevant because charging issues could be related to the charging cable, port, or power source.
To investigate this, I plan to use a different charging cable and a different power outlet to see if the charging time improves. I will use a stopwatch to measure the charging duration and record the initial and final battery levels with my phone's battery indicator. The instruments will include a stopwatch, a reliable power outlet, and my phone’s battery percentage indicator. My process involves: plugging the phone into a different outlet with the same charging cable, starting the stopwatch when charging begins, and stopping it when the battery reaches a predetermined percentage (e.g., 80%). I will record the time and note any differences across trials.
A selfie photo of my phone plugged into the charger will be included to document the experimental setup.
Problem #2: Remote Control Not Working
The second problem relates to my remote control for the television. Occasionally, the remote does not respond immediately or requires multiple presses to function. This disrupts my entertainment experience and prompts me to investigate whether battery issues or other factors are causing the problem.
This issue is also relevant to daily life since remote controls are common household devices, and their malfunction can lead to frustration or the need for replacement. It’s important to identify simple fixes to improve functionality without unnecessary expense.
My experimental approach involves replacing the remote’s batteries with fresh ones and testing its responsiveness by pressing specific buttons multiple times. I will use a timer to record how long it takes for commands to be recognized by the TV. Instruments include a fresh set of batteries, the remote control, a timer or stopwatch, and the TV’s response to commands. I will record the number of attempts and response time before and after replacing batteries. This helps determine if battery health affects remote responsiveness.
A selfie of the remote with new batteries inserted will be included as documentation.
Problem #3: Room Temperature and Fan Efficiency
The third problem involves understanding how room temperature affects the cooling efficiency of my desk fan. On hot days, I notice that the fan seems less effective in cooling the room. This observation relates directly to comfort and energy use in my environment.
This problem is relevant because cooling devices are essential during heatwaves, and understanding their efficiency can lead to better energy management. It also helps in optimizing indoor climate control without unnecessary energy consumption.
To examine this, I will use a digital thermometer to measure the room temperature at different times of the day when the fan is operational. I will also measure how much the temperature of the air near the fan’s outlet drops after running the fan for 10 minutes, using a temperature sensor or thermometer. The instruments include a digital thermometer and a timer. I will record temperatures at intervals before and after turning on the fan at different ambient temperatures (e.g., morning, afternoon, evening). The process involves measuring the room's initial temperature, turning the fan on, and noting the temperature after 10-minute intervals to assess cooling efficiency under varying temperature conditions.
My selfie will include the thermometer reading while the fan operates, showing the setup and measurement process.
Conclusion
These three problems exemplify common issues faced in daily life that can be investigated using simple scientific methods. They involve straightforward measurements and observations related to technology and environment. Addressing these problems through experiments not only helps solve specific issues but also reinforces the scientific process of inquiry, measurement, and analysis. Engaging in such experiments fosters critical thinking and emphasizes that science is accessible and applicable to everyday challenges.
References
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