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Year 7 - Science

Dissolving: scientific methods

Solutions

Unit Summary

This unit explores the concepts of pure substances, mixtures, and diffusion in liquids and gases. It emphasises accuracy, precision, and the use of appropriate techniques during investigations. The focus is on making predictions and recording reliable observations.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to identify features of a good method and use them to improve a method that will investigate dissolving.

Key Notes

  • A method provides step-by-step instructions for how to carry out an investigation.
  • Methods should include how equipment is used and specific amounts of substances used.
  • Methods should be written so that they are both repeatable and reproducible.
  • Methods are written concisely, using clear language and command words.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • method: A method describes how an experiment is carried out; a step-by-step procedure.
  • command word: Command words are words or phrases that indicate what you are expected to do. They are usually imperative verbs.
  • repeatable: When the same person uses the same method and obtains the same / similar results when repeating the experiment.
  • reproducible: When a different person uses the same/similar method as another and obtains the same / similar results as that other person.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

  • Sometimes pupils like to write methods in paragraph form, which can be difficult to follow.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain the scientific idea in this lesson using two key points.

A method provides step-by-step instructions for how to carry out an investigation. Methods should include how equipment is used and specific amounts of substances used.

2. Define this scientific word and use it in context. 'method'

A method describes how an experiment is carried out; a step-by-step procedure. Include the word in a full scientific explanation, not as a single label.

3. Correct this common scientific misunderstanding.

Mistake: Sometimes pupils like to write methods in paragraph form, which can be difficult to follow. Correction: Suggest pupils draw labelled diagrams of key steps, write a sentence to describe each diagram, then go back to number them in order.

More Lessons In This Unit

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