Earth Space Science U1L3

Scientific Investigation
Part I: Scenarios Scenario 2
Lizzie loves to stargaze at night. She has noticed that the moon appears to change shape over the course of the month, and she wants to investigate why this happens. She hypothesizes that the relationship of the sun, Earth, and moon creates shadows on the moon. She sets up an experiment with a light bulb to represent the sun, a large beach ball to represent Earth, and a smaller foam ball to represent the moon. She researches the position of the sun, Earth, and moon at different times of a month and makes a model of the entire system.
1. Identify the parts of the scientific method in Lizzie's experiment.

Question: She has noticed that the moon appears to change shape over the course of the month, and she wants to investigate why this happens. Research: She researches the position of the sun, Earth, and moon at different times of a month and makes a model of the entire system. Hypothesis: She hypothesizes that the relationship of the sun, Earth, and moon creates shadows on the moon. Experiment: She sets up an experiment with a light bulb to represent the sun, a large beach ball to represent Earth, and a smaller foam ball to represent the moon.

2. List at least three variables Lizzie should control during the experiment. For each variable identified, give a specific suggestion for how Lizzie can control it.
The position of the sun (light bulb), Also the distance of the Moon from the Earth, sizes of the objects.

Part II: Designing an Experiment

Problem 2
A local farmer notices that the level of water in the pond behind his house has been going down. Temperatures have been very high in the area, but there are also a lot of animals on his farm that may be drinking the water. What is causing the water to go down?

Part II: The Process
Experimental Design
Parts of the Scientific Method
I Chose Problem 2
Purpose
What is making the water go down in the pond?
Observation
Temperature have been very high in the area, but there are also a lot of animals on his farm that may be drinking the water.
Research
To find out the reason why the water is going down,
Hypothesis
High temperatures caused the water to evaporate.
Experiment
Record temperatures and water levels each day of the week. We need to eliminate the effect of animals so we can build a fence.
Independent variables
Temperature
Dependent variables
Water level
Data
Monday: 84 degrees, level at 25 feet

Tuesday: 86 degrees, level at 24 feet

Wednesday: 86 degrees, level at 24 feet

Thursday: 88 degrees, level at 23 feet

Friday: 90 degrees, level at 22 feet

Saturday: 90 degrees, level at 22 feet

Sunday: 91 degrees, level at 21.5 feet
Analysis
As the temperatures increased, the water levels decreased.
Conclusion
As predicted increased temperatures caused water levels to go down therefore, evaporation.