Lab#1 - How is a controlled experiment formed?

Have you ever wondered whether light or dark clothing would be more comfortable on a hot, sunny day?  Scientists conduct scientific experiments to solve problems like this.  They use a process called the scientific method.

Problem

How does color affect heat absorption?

Hypothesis

I hypothesize that…  I believe that….  I think that…  I predict that…

  

Materials

Virtual Lab

Procedure

Follow the procedure found on the Virtual Lab CD-Rom.

Results

Jacket Color	Denim 'C
Black
Blue
Green
Yellow
White

  

Jacket Color	Wool 'C
Black
Blue
Green
Yellow
White

Jacket Color	Nylon 'C
Black
Blue
Green
Yellow
White

  

Analysis

1. What was the problem you were trying to solve?

2.  What was the independent variable? 

3. What was the dependent variable?

4. What were your constants?

5. What else could you have tested in this experiment?  Explain.

6. How does the color of the jacket affect heat absorption?

7. Describe the strengths and weaknesses of the computer model you used in the experiment.  How could you go about conducting this experiment with your jackets?

Conclusion

What was your problem?

Restate your hypothesis.  Was it right? wrong?  why or why not?

What did you learn in this lab?

What did you like about this lab?

What were some challenges you had to deal with?

What could you do next with this problem?  What other tests could you perform?

Write down any other additional thoughts, observations, inferences, etc.