unit 1 lesson 5 what are some science tools? copyright © houghton mifflin harcourt publishing...

Unit 1 Lesson 5 What Are Some Science Tools?

Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company


Florida Benchmark


• SC.5.N.1.1 Define a problem, use appropriate reference materials to support scientific understanding, plan and carry out scientific investigations of various types such as: systematic observations, experiments requiring the identificiation of variables, collecting and organizing data, interpreting data in charts, tables, and graphics, analyze information, make predictions, and defend conclusions.


Field Trips


• Field scientists go “on location” to investigate the natural world.

• Field scientists may use tools such as a collecting net, a hand lens, and a camera to complete investigations.


Into the Lab


• In the lab, computers and other heavy or expensive instruments can be used to complete investigations.

• Some instruments used by scientists in the lab include light microscopes, droppers, electron microscopes, and pipettes.

• All scientists must be comfortable using numbers to complete investigations.

Light Microscope

• Microscopic things are too small to see with just your eyes.

• Light microscopes magnify things, or make them look bigger.

• Light passes through objects placed on a glass slide and then through lenses. An eyepiece magnifies the object.



Dropper

• A dropper is a tube with a rubber bulb on one end.

• Liquids can be sucked up the tube and dropped out of the tube by squeezing and releasing the bulb.



Electron Microscope

• A scanning electron microscope (SEM) can magnify an object up to 1 million times.

• The SEM shoots a beam of electrons at the object.

• A computer screen shows the surface of the object.



Pipette

• Pipettes are similar to droppers, but more exact.

• Markings on a pipette can help a scientist to measure the volume of a liquid.




Measuring Up


• When you measure, you make an observation involving numbers and units.

• Scientists use International System (SI) units, or the metric system, to make observations involving numbers.

• Metric system units are based on multiples of 10.

Measuring Length

• Length is the distance between two points.

• The base metric unit of length is the meter.

• Rulers, metersticks, calipers, and tape measures are tools used to measure length.



Measuring Time

• Time describes how long events take.

• The base unit of time is the second.

• Clocks, stopwatches, timers, and calendars are some of the tools used to measure time.



Measuring Temperature

• Temperature describes how hot or cold something is.

• Scientists measure temperature in degrees Celsius.

• Another unit used to measure temperature is degrees Fahrenheit.



Pan Balance

• Mass is the amount of matter in an object. The base unit of mass is the kilogram.

• A tool used to measure mass is called a balance. An example of a balance is a pan balance.



Pan Balance

• A triple-beam balance is more exact than a pan balance.

• An electronic balance calculates the mass of an object and displays the results on a screen.



How Strong?

• A force is a push or a pull.

• Scientists use a spring scale to measure force.

• The base unit of force is called a newton.



More Measuring


Units of Volume

• Volume is the amount of space a solid, liquid, or gas takes up.

• The base metric units for measuring volume are the cubic meter and the liter.


Finding Volume

• Multiplying the length times width times height of a rectangular object will give the volume of that object.

• Liquid volume can be measured using a measuring cup, beaker, or graduated cylinder.



Finding Volume

• One cubic centimeter (cm3) is equal to about one milliliter (mL).



Finding Volume

• You can find the volume of an irregular solid by dropping it into a graduated cylinder that contains liquid.

• Record the volume of liquid before inserting the object. Then, record the volume after inserting the object.

• The volume of the object is equal to the final liquid volume minus the starting liquid volume.



Finding Volume

• Liquids form a meniscus, or curve, in a glass graduated cylinder.

• Always measure liquids from the center of the meniscus.



Accurate Measurements

• When a measurement is close to the true size, it is accurate.

• There are many things you can do to make your measurements more accurate.



Accurate Measurements

• Handle each tool properly.

• Use each tool the same way every time.

• Measure to the smallest place value the tool allows.

• Measure twice.

• Record your measurements carefully.



unit 1 lesson 5 what are some science tools? copyright © houghton mifflin harcourt publishing...

Documents

science tools

glass slide

base metric unit of

measuring length length

light microscopes

complete investigations

electron microscopes

metric system units