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GeoL101 LABORATORY – Lab #1 – science Basics

Observing, Measuring, Hypothesizing, Testing, and Units

 

Introduction & Purpose:   In this lab you will observe, measure, hypothesize, and test, earth materials and processes.   The purpose of this laboratory experience is to become better familiar with the basic sorts of activities and that geologists do while investigating natural world phenomena as part of scientific inquiries.

 

Exercise #1 – Scientific Inquiry – Apply Scientific Method to Study a Lava Lamp

    Scientists use a special sort of method to undertake all scientific inquiries called the scientific method.   The scientific method is a sequence of steps that include empirical observations, the formulation and testing of a hypothesis, or tentative explanation, which addresses the origin, evolution, nature and/or processes of natural phenomena.

   Directions:  Carefully study the glitter and/or lava lamps that are set up in the lab; record as many observations as possible concerning the material, energy, design, and processes of the lamp. Then come up with a central question concerning the nature of the lava lamp.  From the question, develop a testable explanation or hypothesis – essentially the ‘answer’ to your question.   Test your hypothesis by devising and running (actually or virtually) an experiment – the analysis of the results of your experiment should allow you to make the following conclusion: Yes – my hypothesis is correct, OR No – my hypothesis is incorrect.   Be sure to include the following steps:

 

Step 1 - Empirical Observations - Qualitative & Quantitative descriptions and measurements of system:

 

a) Material Components– Describe, measure, and sketch (with labels) the whole and separate parts of the system.  Include size, shape, form, and make-up of each component and how it spatially relates to the other components – it’s “structure”.  Examples of a component’s material make-up are metal, plastic, glass, ceramic, wood, rubber, etc.  Be careful to NOT include any explanations, or interpretations in your empirical observations – it should purely based on describing or measuring what you are actually observing.

 

b) Energy – List the sorts of energy that you detect in the system, including what may be going in or out of the system.  Examples are electricity, light, heat, gravitational, kinetic, and magnetic.  Be careful here too to NOT include any explanations or interpretations in your empirical observations.

 

c) Dynamics: Describe and measure notable changes in system through time - changes in mass, energy, temperature, phase change, movement of mass and/or energy.  A dynamic system indicates that there are processes occurring within the system and/or between the system and its surrounding environment.  Some processes may be observable, whereas, others are not – depending on the available sensing instruments.

Movement of matter can be measured by rate of change.  Again, be careful to NOT include any explanations or interpretations in describing the system’s dynamics.

 

Step 2 – Posed Question(s) concerning the nature of a system (in this lab’s case, a glitter or lava lamp)

The posed question or problem should have some sort of useful significance, and be well-defined, measurable, and controllable – basically answerable.   Questions that are answered by scientific investigation are based on empirical observations - data, and scientific thinking accomplished, usually following previous research.

 

Step 3 – Hypothesis – Interpretation, explanation, and/or prediction of the system.  Note that the hypothesis should be stated in a form that basically answers the above posed question(s).  A hypothesis may include prediction(s), based on the assumptions made in the hypothesis.  A scientific hypothesis must be falsifiable, meaning that it can be tested for validity within the empirical constructs of the natural world, i.e., the hypothesis is scientifically testable.   Supernatural explanations are NOT testable.

 

Step 4 - Test – A definitive method/means of finding out whether or not the hypothesis is true or false.  The test can be either, an experiment done on the system, or further observations of  the system that are used to test a prediction of the future state of the system.  In either case, the result should provide a straight-forward conclusion that is either a “yes” or “no” to the hypothetical answer (hypothesis) to the original posed question(s) made in step 1.   Predictions can also be tested by further observation.

 

Step 5 – Results - The measured and recorded observations and information from the test and/or predictions, whether it be from an experiment - the experimental data, or from further observations of the system.  Analysis and evaluation of the data will lead to a conclusion concerning the hypothesis.

 

Step 6 - Conclusion - A statement that summarizes the evaluated results (data) from the test.  The conclusion will either invalidate the hypothesis and prediction(s), or confirm the hypothesis and predictions.   It is also possible that your results are inconclusive (neither a “yes” nor “no”) – this result basically means that your test was inadequate.

 

Step 7 – Reevaluation - Based on your conclusion, what must be done concerning your original hypothesis?  Retain it?  Modify it?  Throw it out completely? Or does it appear that the test does not adequately challenge the hypothesis?

 

            Scientific Inquiry of a Glitter and/or Lava Lamp  --  Worksheet

 

Step 1 – Qualitative and Quantitative Observations of System:

 

a) Material Components:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

b) Energy:

 

 

 

 

                 

c) Dynamics

 

 

 

 

Step 2 – Posed Question Concerning System:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 3 – Tentative Hypothesis:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 4 – Method of Testing: An “experiment” – and/or – Further observations for predicting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 5 - Test Results (recorded data):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 6 – Conclusion(s):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Step 7 - Reevaluation:

 

 

 

 

Exercise #2 - Determining the Density of Water

 

 Directions: a) Write a simple step-by-step procedure on how you could use a small graduated cylinder and a gram balance (scale) to determine the density of water by dividing its measured mass by its measured volume, in grams per cubic centimeters (g/cm3).   b) Use your measurements of water’s mass and volume to calculate the density of water as accurately as you can.  Note: You must show your complete calculations and units for full credit.

 

Step 1.______________________________________________________________________ __________

Step 2. ________________________________________________________________________________

Step 3. ________________________________________________________________________________

Step 4. ________________________________________________________________________________

Water Sample Measurements:      Water Mass = ___________   Water Volume = __________

 

Write Calculations for Water Sample Here:  Density = Mass/Volume  (don’t forget units)   

 

 

 

Water Sample Density  =   ____________   

 

 

Question 1) Do you see any significance in your calculated density value of water, in terms of how the concept of the weight value of “gram” was developed?  Hint:  What material of what volume under what conditions did the global scientific community agree on to use as a standard mass to define the unit of “Gram”?   Why do you think they agree on this definition of “gram”?

 

 

 

Question 2) If you measured a chuck frozen water (ice), and it had the same weight as your liquid sample you measured above, could you predict whether it would have a different volume, based on personal experience?  How might you test your prediction?

 

 

 

Exercise #3 - DETERMINING THE DENSITY OF CRUSTAL ROCK SAMPLES

 

 Directions: a) Use the displacement method to help determine a rock’s density. b) Determine rock sample’s density using the rock’s volume (cm3) and mass (g). c) Show your calculations for density and round off your final density value to the correct significant figures. 

 

Granite Rock Sample:    Measurements:    Volume = __________    Mass = ___________  

 

Calculations for Rock Sample Here:

 

 

 

Granite Rock Sample Density  = ___________          Make sure to include the units!

 

 

Exercise #4 – Converting Units of Measurement

 

Directions: Calculate the following unit conversions using the correct significant place values.  The unit conversion values are found on page xi in your lab manual.  Note that you MUST show your math calculation AND units to get credit for your answer.

 

                  Unit Conversion Problem                            Unit Conversion Calculation

 

Example:  2.5 miles = _4.0_ kilometers                2.5 mi x 1.6 km/mi = 4.0 km  (miles cancel)

a.      10.0 miles = _______ kilometers.

b.     3.0 feet = ______  meters.

c.      16 kilometers = ______ meters.

d.     25 meters = ______  centimeters (cm).

e.      1.3 liters (L) = ______  milliliters (mL) or cubic centimeters (cm3)

f.        25.4 mL = ______  cm3

g.     120 pounds = ______  kilograms (Kg).

h.     2 ounces = ______  . grams

i.        If an object traveled 280 miles in 4 hours, the velocity of the object =   ________  km/hr   

 

       Velocity = distance/time 

 

 

j.        Convert your height from Imperial System to Metric System. (convert feet/inches to centimeters)  

            

  My height is ___ feet ____ inches.                                       My height in cm’s is   ______   cm.

k.      Convert your weight from Imperial System to the Metric System. (convert pounds to kilograms) 

 

  

       My weight is ________ lbs.                                              My weight in kg is    ______   kg.

   n. Convert the following temperatures from Fahrenheit to Celsius.   Conversion:  C = (F - 32) * 5/9

 

 

 

      Average human body temperature is 98.6˚ F  =   _______˚C

 

Exercise #5 - Laboratory Reflection

  Each student must write a lab reflection (minimum of 120 words in length) about your experience in doing the exercises in lab today.  Include the following: 1) The purpose of the lab; 2) What you learned from this laboratory; 3) What was interesting; 4) The problems and challenges you encountered; and 5) How this lab was designed (the good and/or bad).   Hand write (if you are neat) or type.  You can use the blank back of this page to write your reflection.  

 

SI MODERN METRIC CONVERSION FACTORS

APPROXIMATE CONVERSIONS TO SI UNITS

SYMBOL

WHEN YOU KNOW

MULTIPLY BY

TO FIND

SYMBOL

LENGTH

in

inches

25.4

millimeters

mm

ft

feet

0.305

meters

m

yd

yards

0.914

meters

m

mi

miles

1.61

kilometers

km

AREA

in2

square inches

645.2

square millimeters

mm2

ft2

square feet

0.093

square meters

m2

yd2

square yard

0.836

square meters

m2

ac

acres

0.405

hectares

ha

mi2

square miles

2.59

square kilometers

km2

VOLUME

fl oz

fluid ounces

29.57

milliliters

mL

gal

gallons

3.785

liters

L

ft3

cubic feet

0.028

cubic meters

m3

yd3

cubic yards

0.765

cubic meters

m3

NOTE: volumes greater than 1000 L shall be shown in m3

MASS

oz

ounces

28.35

grams

g

lb

pounds

0.454

kilograms

kg

T

short tons (2000 lb)

0.907

megagrams (or "metric ton")

Mg (or "t")

TEMPERATURE (exact degrees)

oF

Fahrenheit

5 (F-32)/9
or (F-32)/1.8

Celsius

oC