Chapter 1 Chemistry in
Our Lives
1.2
Scientific Inquiry:
Thinking like a
Scientist
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Basic Chemistry
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.
Scientific Inquiry
Scientific inquiry (aka
scientific method or
scientific process) is a
process scientists use to
explain observations in
nature. While there are
many ways to perform
scientific inquiry, all
scientific inquiry share
common features.
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Basic Chemistry
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Scientific Inquiry
Scientific inquiry involves
• making observations
• writing a hypothesis
• doing experiments
• proposing a theory
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Basic Chemistry
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.
Common Features of
Scientific Inquiry
Observations - facts obtained by observing and
measuring events in nature
Hypothesis - a testable statement (aka prediction)
that explains the observations
Experiments - procedures that test the validity of
the hypothesis
Theory – a broad generalization that explains how
the observations occur using experimental results
Model – An explanation of how phenomena occur
based on our observations.
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Basic Chemistry
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Summary Common Features
of Scientific Inquiry
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Basic Chemistry
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Everyday Scientific Thinking
Observation: The sound from a CD in a CD player skips.
Hypothesis 1: The CD player is faulty.
Experiment 1: When I replace the CD with another one,
the sound from this second CD is OK.
Hypothesis 2: The original CD has a defect.
Experiment 2: When I play the CD in another player, the
sound still skips.
Theory:
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My experimental results indicate the
original CD has a defect.
Basic Chemistry
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.
Learning Check
The step of scientific inquiry indicated in each of
the following examples is
1) observation
2) hypothesis
3) experiment
4) theory
A. A blender does not work when plugged in.
B. The blender motor is broken.
C. The plug has malfunctioned.
D. The blender does not work when plugged into
a different outlet.
E. The blender needs repair.
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Basic Chemistry
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Solution
The step of scientific inquiry indicated in each of
the following examples is
1) observation
2) hypothesis
3) experiment
4) theory
A. (1) A blender does not work when plugged in.
B. (2) The blender motor is broken.
C. (2) The plug has malfunctioned.
D. (3) The blender does not work when plugged
into a different outlet.
E. (4) The blender needs repair.
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Basic Chemistry
Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc.