1.

1 Observing Like a Scientist

Fundamentals of Chemistry
Catalyst
Answer the following questions in your science
notebook:
1) Give two qualities of GOOD group work
behavior.
2) Give two qualities of BAD group work behavior.

Topic of the Day: 1.1 Observing Like a Scientist
Vocabulary: Observation, Qualitative,
Quantitative, Precision, Accuracy
Date: 8/14 (A) or 8/15 (B)
CATALYST ANSWERS
1. List two examples of GOOD behavior for
groupwork:
- Assigning tasks to each person, communicating
with all members, helping out fellow members that
are struggling

2. List two examples of BAD behavior for groupwork:
- Not participating, copying answers from peers,
engaging with members of other groups, playing with
equipment at other stations or in the room
SCIENCE JOKE OF THE DAY
Objectives
I can practice good lab safely.
I can use proper procedures for reading
scientific instruments.
I can define observation, qualitative and
quantitative.
I can make qualitative and quantitative
observations in a lab setting.

Topic of the Day: 1.1 Observing Like A Scientist
Date: 8/14 (A) or 8/15 (B)
What do you think?
Why is it important to be able to read
different types of equipment accurately?
Investigation (Part I)
INDIVIDUALLY, (That means by yourself!)
complete the questions on your half sheet of
paper.
Follow the written directions and raise your
hand when you are finished. I will come by to
check to see if you completed it correctly
Topic of the Day:
1.1 Observing Like a Scientist
* Open your notebooks and write the
topic at the top of your page!*
Essential Question
How do scientists make quantitative and
qualitative observations in the lab?

A. What is an observation?
1. Observation: Using your five senses (sight,
touch, taste, smell, sound) to gather information
B. What are the two types of
observations?
Qualitative Observation: observations of
properties or qualities
Examples: Hard, yellow, solid

Quantitative Observation: measurements
involving numbers
Examples: 5 mL, 3.18 moles, 0.22 grams
C. What are the parts of a quantitative
measurement?
Number
Unit indicates the value of the number
Examples: 5 pounds; 5 dollars; 5 g/cm
3

Type of Measurement Unit
Volume Milliliters (mL) or
Liters (L)
Mass Grams (g) or Kilograms (kg)
Temperature Fahrenheit (F), Celsius (C), or Kelvin
(K)
Length Millimeters (mm), Centimeters (cm) or
Meters (m)
D. How are quantitative observations
described?
1. Precise observations refers to how close
together your measurements are to each other
2. Accurate observations refers to how close your
measurements are to the true value
E. How do I measure/obtain data?
1. Graduated Cylinder
2. Beaker
3. Electric Balance
4. Thermometer
5. Meter stick

Graduated Cylinder
Measures = Volume
Units: mL, L or cm
3

a. Read the volume of the liquid by measuring from
the lowest portion, called the meniscus.
b. ALWAYS read at eye level
c. Make sure you know
how much each increment
represents!


Guided Practice: Use qualitative and quantitative
observations to determine the amount of liquid (in
mL) in each graduated cylinder.
A B
C D
Beaker
Measures = Volume
Units: mL, L, or cm
3

1. Read at eye level and at the
meniscus!
2. Beakers are less accurate
(bigger space between
numbers) than graduated
cylinders, so you have to make
an estimate.
3. Read from the side that starts
with 0 at bottom.

Approximately 48 mL
Electric Balance
Measures = Mass
Units = grams or kilograms
1. Turn on and push zero
button to balance.
2. Place the object on the
balance plate.
3. When the numbers have
stopped moving, record the
mass.

Thermometers
Measures = Temperature
Units = C
1. Check to see which units you are measuring the
degrees in! F or C?
2. Make sure you know how much each increment
represents!


Meter Stick
Measures = Length
Units = cm, mm, or m
a. Make sure to start at 0!
b. Record the length of the object in mm, cm or m
a. Measure first in cm
b. Converting cm to mm = #cm x 10 = #mm
c. Converting cm to m = #cm/100 = #m

1.1 INVESTIGATION
* On the left side of your notebook,
write
Lab Expectations
Bring your notebook with you!
Stay with your group at your station at all
times!
Dont open any drawers or touch anything not
at your station!
No horsing around or Ill have an individual
assignment for you instead

Investigation (Part II)
1. 5 stations, 5 minutes/station
2. Read the directions at each station carefully
(remember our earlier investigation?!) and
complete the task with your lab group.
3. When you collect your data/measurements,
write it down in your notebook! Take your
notebook EVERYWHERE with you!
4. Stay at each station until the timer rings and
then you will rotate. (1 goes to 2, 2 goes to 3,
3 goes to 4, 4 goes to 5, 5 goes to 1)
Independent Practice
Complete the problems on your worksheet
ON YOUR OWN!
If you have a question
1. Look at your beautiful notes
2. Ask a peer for a clarification or explanation (you
wont learn if you just copy answers!)
3. Raise your hand and Ill come by! (But only if
youve done 1 and 2 first! )
When you are done with your practice- study
by yourself or with a partner for the unit 1
vocabulary
Summary
Copy and use the following sentence stems to
summarize the main points from today.
Today we learned that everything has
different properties that we can observe and
measure. The two types of observations are
_________________. The tools that
scientists use to take quantitative
measurements are ___________.
Exit Ticket
Once your exit slip is graded, write your mastery
score on your exit slip.
-> 1/5 = 20%
-> 2/5 = 40%
-> 3/5 = 60%
-> 4/5 = 80%
-> 5/5 = 100%