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8th grade Blue Science book pg 14 - 20 notes and vocab.

1. Two scientists used the scientific method to make Proteus, a penguin boat.

2. Scientific methods are the ways in which scientists answer questions and solve problems.

3. Observation is any use of the senses to gather information.

4. Measurements are observations that are made and compared using tools.

5. Propulsion - is what makes a boat move.

6. Efficiency - is how much motion comes out divided by how much energy went in to the machine.

7. Efficiency = (Energy Out)/(Energy In)

8. Propellers are only 70% efficient, Hypothesis: Are flippers like a penguin more efficient than propellers?

9. Hypothesis - is a possible explanation or answer to a question. It is a testable idea or explanation that leads to scientific investigation.

10. H: A propulsion system that imitates the way that a penguin swims (flippers) will be more efficient than a propulsion system that uses propellers.

11. Test: If two flippers are attached to a boat, then the boat will be more efficient than a boat powered by propellers.

12. "Way off the mark" means that your experimental observations are not matching your predictions.

13. A controlled experiment compares two trials or test runs. One is the standardized control test in which all the variables are fixed or constant = control parameters. (in this case a boat is the control device)

The other test is called the variable test or trial run in which one parameter is different, variable parameter and can change the outcome. In this case the flipper boat named Proteus was the variable test.

14. The boat hull size, wind and water conditions were constant parameters. The flippers on Proteus was the variable parameter.

15. A computer on board Proteus collected data.

Data are any pieces of information gotten through experimentation.

16. Scientific data must be recorded in a way that is reproducible. Test should be repeated about 40 times.

17. The results of the data support the conclusion that penguin propulsion is more efficient than propeller propulsion.

18. The results are still important even if your data supports the null hypothesis instead of the alternate hypothesis.

19. A valid conclusion is based on repeatable test parameters and data.

20. A web site is a good way to communicate your conclusion to other scientists.

21. At what flap rate is Proteus the most efficient?

1.7 flaps per second

22. At what flap rate is the Proteus the least efficient?

0.95 flaps per seconds

23. Why not keep flapping at the highest rate?

Efficiency goes down after 1.7 flaps per second.