Thinking Like a Scientist
Science is not just about doing experiments in a lab; it is a method of solving problems. We call this the Scientific Method. We use it in daily life without even realizing it.
The Pen Example
Let’s look at a simple example from the textbook:
- Observation: You are writing, and suddenly your pen stops writing.
- Question: Why did my pen stop writing?
- Guess (Hypothesis): You guess, “Perhaps the ink is finished.”
- Test: You open the pen and check the refill.
- Result A: If it is empty, your guess was correct.
- Result B: If it is full, your guess was wrong.
- New Guess: If the ink was full, you make a new guess: “Maybe the ink dried up.”
- New Test: You try scribbling on rough paper to see if it starts working.
This cycle of Guessing and Testing is exactly how science works!
The Steps of the Scientific Method
Here is the formal flow of how scientists work:
Tip
Key Steps:
- Observe: Notice something.
- Question: Wonder “Why?”.
- Guess: Propose a reason.
- Test: Check if you are right.
- Analyse: Understand the result.
Scientists in Daily Life
You don’t need a white coat to be a scientist.
- The Cook: Wonders why the dal spilled out of the cooker. (Was there too much water?)
- The Mechanic: Tries to find why a bicycle tyre is flat. (Where is the leak?)
- The Electrician: Checks why a bulb isn’t working. (Is it the bulb or the switch?)
When we ask questions and find answers using logic, we are all scientists.