Writing a Hypothesis
What is a hypothesis?
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Hypothesis: a guess about why something works in a particular way.
What happens if I put noodles in boiling water?
Written in if/then/ because format.
Example: If I put noodles in hot water, then they will cook because hot water softens the dough.
Experiments are done to prove or disprove the hypothesis.
Writing a Hypothesis
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Variable: a condition that can be changed in an experiment.
o Example: Adding baking powder instead of baking soda to vinegar.
A hypothesis has two parts
o Independent variable
 Variable that is changed by scientist
 I control the Independent variable
o Dependent variable
 Affected by the independent variable
 Measured in an experiment
o Example: If more sugar is added to the solution, then the yeast will reproduce at a quicker rate
because yeast need energy to reproduce.
A good science experiment also includes a controlled variable.
o Controlled Variable: part of an experiment that does not change.
Controlled variable allows scientist to make a comparison.
o Ex: I want to test Red Bull and Monster energy drinks to see if they improve student test scores.
 If I give half the class RedBull and half the class Monster energy drinks, will I know if test
scores have been improved?
 Why not?
o There needs to be a group who doesn’t drink the energy drinks to make a comparison.