Scientific Inquiry Lab Report

Rahil Mehta 11B

28.08.2016
Mrs.Hartog, IB SL Biology
Partners: Jeet Shah, Liza Belozerova

Exercise 1.1 The Black Box

1. Observations: There is no sound when we shook the box, it was really

light, Felt empty.
How we observed: We picked up the box, shook it, Put it on the weighing
scale.
Non-Available Methods: X-Ray Machine, Pet Scanner.
Importance of Observations: Observations give you an insight into what
may be in the box, with this particular experiment it is the only way to
have any idea as to whats in the box.

2. Hypothesis on the contents: We as a group thought it was cotton

because it was the only thing that fit the criteria of light and soundless.
Why: Cotton was the only thing in the white box that would fit the
category of light and soundless

3. How to prove: One could weigh the box they received with the object,
weigh an empty box, weigh what one would think is in the box and
compare the mass.

4. Use the method: We weighed the boxes, and our guess was correct: the
Black Box weighed 5.8g and the empty box weighed 5.3g, the piece of
cotton weighed around 2.9g.

5. Possible mistakes: The weights couldnt have been too accurate, other
than that, cant think of much more.

6. Summary: We used our senses to observe and after that we proposed a

hypothesis, and the we opened the box to verify it.

Hypothesis That Cant be proved: Something Time Travel or All powerful being
related.

Final Conclusion: My groups final conclusion was not correct, we thought there
was cotton, however there was nothing in our box.

New equipment disproving old conclusions: There are constantly new items
being developed the will disprove old conclusions.
Plants absorb water through their leaves as well as their roots: This could be
scientifically proven.

Mice require calcium for developing strong bones: This could be scientifically
proven.

Dogs are happy, when you feed them steak: This could be scientifically proven.

An active volcano can be prevented from erupting by throwing a virgin into

it during each full moon: This could be scientifically proven (Probably
Disproven)

The higher the intelligence of an animal, the more easily it can be

domesticated: This could be scientifically proven. (Probably Disproven)

An all-powerful being created the earth: This could be scientifically Disproven.

Cat fleas can transmit HIV: This could be scientifically proven.

Exercise 1.3 The Elements of an Experiment

Black box experiment independent variable: The box itself

Black box experiment dependent variable: Item in the box.

Guinea pigs:
Independent: Temperature
Dependent: Weight gain

Diversity of algal species:

Independent: Oil spill
Dependent: Diversity

Light absorption:
Independent: Color
Dependent: Absorption

Seed batches:
Independent: Concentration
Dependent: Germination

Adult weight of a dog:

Independent: Number of littermates
Dependent: Weight

Predicted, if the hypothesis is right: If the scientists hypothesis is right, then

basically what is being said is that the more fertilizer she adds to a particular
piece of land, the more peanuts will grow in that part.
Predicted, if the hypothesis is wrong: If her hypothesis happens to be
incorrect, then her hypothesis will be disproven.

1. Control treatment: No sugar

2. Control treatment: No light
3. Control treatment: No sweetener.
4. Control treatment: No Clue
5. Control treatment: No anti-acid added

1.Alcohol Fermentation
a. Independent variable: Percent of glucose in the solution.
b. Dependent variable: Alcohol produced
c. Control treatment: No glucose solution
d. Standardized variables: Amount of things being experimented
on.
2) Strains of yeast ferment glucose: Same experiment

3) Growth of Bacteria
a. Independent Variable: Temperature
b. Dependent Variable: Speed of Growth
c. Standardized Variables: same amount of things being
experimented on.

4) New drugs (XYZ) for AIDS

a. Hypothesis: The XYZ drug will cure AIDS
b. Independent variable: Exposure to Drug
c. Dependent variable: People cured
d. Control Treatment: No Clue
e. Standardized Variables: Same amount of things being
experimented.

5) Loss of chlorophyll in autumn leaves

a. Hypothesis: The greenest leaf will have the most chlorophyll.
b. Independent: The colour and the leaves themselves.
c. Dependent: Amount of chlorophyll
d. Replication: Use the same colored leaves (as close as possible), so
that the data doesnt vary too much.

6) Mating behavior in crickets

a. Independent variable: Gender
b. Dependent variable: Number of mating partners
c. Replication: use the same number, same space, make sure nothing
has changed