Working Scientifically Key Stage 4

Scientific Enquiry

Beginning an Enquiry

• Hypothesis
• Prediction
• Investigation
• Experiment

Variables

• Independent Variable
• Dependent Variable
• Control
• Categoric Variable
• Discrete Variable
• Continuous Variable
  • Fair Test

Methodology

• Diagram
• Method
• Observations
  • Reading
  • Measurement

Scientific Evidence

• Valid
• Reliable
• Repeatable
• Reproducible
  • Sample Size
• Accurate
  • Calibrate
• Precise
  • Resolution

Results

• Table of Results
• Repeats
• Data
  • Secondary Data

Data Handling

• Units
• SI Units
• Unit Prefixes
  • Mega
  • Kilo
  • Centi
  • Milli
  • Micro
  • Nano
• Converting Units
• Table of Results
• Experimental Errors
  • Human Error
  • Random Error
  • Systematic Error
  • Zero Error
• Range
• Uncertainty
• Anomaly
• Mean Average
• Significant Figures

Conclusions

• Description
  • Correlation
  • Scientific Law
• Explanation
  • Causation
  • Scientific Theory
• Evaluation
• Evidence
  • Anecdotal Evidence
  • Empirical Evidence

Theories

• Theory
• Scientific Theory
• Model - limited range of applicability

Laws

• Scientific Law

Communicating Ideas

• Scientific Paper
• Peer Review
  • Reproducible
• Science in the Media
• Bias

Graphs

• Bar Chart
• Pie Chart
• Line Graph
• Scatter Graph
  • Line of Best Fit
    • Gradient
    • Linear
    • Proportional
    • Directly Proportional
    • Inversely Proportional
  • Correlation
    • Negative Correlation
    • Positive Correlation

Quantities and Units

Quantities

• Vectors
• Scalars

Units

• SI Units
• Mass
  • Ton
  • Kilogram
  • Grams
  • Milligram
  • Microgram
  • Nanogram
• Volume
  • Metres Cubed
  • Decimetres Cubed
  • Centimetres Cubed
  • Litres
  • Millilitres
• Density
  • Grams per Centimetre Cubed
  • Kilograms per Metre Cubed
• Time
  • Hours
  • Minutes
  • Seconds
  • Milliseconds
  • Microseconds
  • Nanoseconds
• Distance, Displacement, Wavelength
  • Lightyear
  • Kilometres
  • Metres
  • Centimetres
  • Millimetres
  • Micrometres
  • Nanometres
• Area
  • Centimetres Squared
  • Metres Squared
• Angle
  • Degrees
• Speed and Velocity
  • Miles per Hour
  • Kilometres per Hour
  • Metres per Second
• Acceleration
  • Metres per Second per Second
• Moments
  • Newton Metres
• Momentum
  • Kilogram Metres per Second
• Temperature
  • Degrees Celsius
  • Kelvin
• Energy and Work Done
  • Megajoules
  • Kilojoules
  • Joules
  • Millijoules
• Power
  • Megawatts
  • Kilowatts
  • Watts
  • Milliwatts
• Charge
  • Coulombs
  • Millicoulombs
• Electrical Current
  • Kiloamps
  • Amps
  • Milliamps
  • Microamps
• Potential Difference
  • Kilovolts
  • Volts
  • Millivolts
  • Microvolts
• Electrical Resistance
  • Megaohms
  • Kiloohms
  • Ohms
  • Milliohms
• Radioactivity
  • Becquerels
• Radiation Dose
  • Sieverts
  • Millisieverts
  • Microsieverts
• Force
  • Meganewtons
  • Kilonewtons
  • Newtons
  • Millinewtons
  • Micronewtons
• Frequency
  • Megahertz
  • Kilohertz
  • Hertz
• Magnetic Field Density
  • Teslas
  • Milliteslas
• Moles
  • Mol
• Concentration
  • Molarity
• Light Intensity
  • Lux

Equipment

Measuring Equipment

• Measuring Cylinder
• Burette
• Pipette
• Syringe
• Ruler
• Protractor
• Measuring Scale
  • Electronic Balance
  • Weighing Scale
• Stopwatch
• Thermometer
  • Infra-red Thermometer
• Datalogger
  • Light Gate
• Geiger Counter
• Newton Metre
• Ammeter
• Voltmeter
• Joulemetre
• Luxmetre
• pHmetre

Observation Equipment

• Magnifying Glass
• Microscope
• Quadrat
• Pooter
• Sweepnet
• Pondnet
• Pitfall Trap
• Specimen Jar
• Petri Dish
• Growth Medium
  • Agar

Experimental Equipment

• Bottle
• Bottle and Dropper
• Indicator
• Incubator
• Water Bath
• Immersion Heater
• U-Shaped Tube
• Delivery Tube
• Test Tube
• Boiling Tube
• Beaker
• Conical Flask
• Funnel
• Filter
• Bung
• Glass Rod
• Spatula
• Condensing Tube
• Buffer Solution
• Tweezers
• Spotting Tile
• Heatproof Mat
• Tripod
• Gauze
• Bunsen Burner
• Evaporating Dish
• Crucible
• Mortar and Pestle
• Tongs
• Test Tube Holder
• Oscillator
• Oscilloscope
• Reaction Vessel
• Inoculation Loop

Risks, Hazards and Safety

Risks

• Risk

Hazards

• Hazard
• Hazard Symbol
  • Toxic
  • Flammable
  • Harmful
  • Irritant
  • Corrosive
  • Long Term Health Risk
  • Dangerous to the Environment
  • Explosive
  • Oxidising Agent
  • Compressed Gas
  • Ionising Radiation
  • Danger of Electrocution
  • LASER Radiation
  • Biohazard

Safety

• Safety Equipment
  • Safety Spectacles
  • Safety Goggles
  • Labcoats
  • Safety Gloves
  • Tongs
  • Test Tube Holder