6.2 Asking scientific questions

• what makes a good scientific question?

  What a good scientific question looks like:

  involves two variables, one that can be changed to answer a question and one that can be measured to see what effect the change has.
• independent variable - the variable being tested
• dependent variable - the variable being measured
• Develop a scientific question that can be investigated using what we have learned about photosynthesis.

  Does carbon dioxide concentration affect the production of starch by a plant?
• How to ask a question?

  You ask a question if it can be answered by designing and carrying out an experiment to collect evidence.
• What does a good question look like?

  It involves two variables, one that can be changed to answer a question and one that can be measured to see what effect the change has.
• How is evidence used?

  It is used to either support or counter a scientific theory or hypothesis
• Name all the variables

  Independent variable, dependent variable, and control variable
• Describe all the variables:

  Independent variable: the variable that can be changed

  Dependent variable: the variable you measure

  Control variable: the variable that stays the same
• Examples of variables

  How does light intensity affect the rate of photosynthesis?

  independent variable: light intensity

  dependent variable: rate of photosynthesis

  control variable: how long the experiment lasts for