1.3 Scientific Method

585 Words3 Pages
Part 1: Scemario 4 Carmen conducted an experiment to determine whether salt added to a cup of water affects its freezing point (the temperature at which it freezes). After some research, she hypothesized that the greater the amount of salt dissolved in the water, the lower the temperature at which the water freezes. Water samples were prepared containing equal quantities of water at the same starting temperature. Each sample received a different amount of salt and was placed into a freezer. The length of time it took for each sample to freeze was recorded as shown below. Amount of salt added in grams (g) | Time it took for the water to freeze in minutes (min) | 0 | 48 | 1.25 | 69 | 2.50 | 76 | 3.70 | 90 | 5.0 | (Did not freeze during the time of the experiment) | Identify the independent and dependent variables in Carmen’s experiment. Do the experiment and results support the hypothesis as it was written? Explain your answer. Identify some specific changes that you would suggest for Carmen’s experiment in order to specifically test her hypothesis. Give a specific explanation for why these changes are improvements. ANSWERS: 1. The independent variables in Carmen’s experiment are the amount of salt added, and the amount of time Carmen lets the salt sit. The dependent variables are the salt freezing, and the time it took to freeze. 2. The experiment’s hypothesis is incorrect. The lower the temperature, the less time it took for the water to freeze. Carmen believed that the more salt, the lower the temperature is. It is incorrect. The lower amount of salt, the less time it took to freeze. 3. I would suggest to Carmen that she maybe would give herself more time to let the water freeze because when she added 5 grams of salt, it did not freeze in enough time of the experiment. I would also suggest lower quantities of salt added to the
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