Chapter 1, Problem 1ASA

To determine

The elements of scientific method.

Answer to Problem 1ASA

The elements of scientific method are observation, hypothesis, experiments, theory, and law.

Explanation of Solution

The major elements of scientific method are observation, hypothesis, experiments, theory, and law. The questions arising in the mind of scientific fact seeker through the observations he or she make about the natural phenomenon occurring in the surrounding as well as in the whole universe is the basic elemental step of the scientific method. The observations and the questions lead to the thirst of finding the unknown facts. The tentative answers or an educated guess the scientist put forward towards the question raised through observation is called a hypothesis.

In order to test the correctness and validity of the hypothesis experiments are carried out under controlled conditions. It confirms whether the assumption made in the hypothesis is correct or not and whether they can be duplicated. If the hypothesis passes the experimental tests, it is possible to deduce a well-tested explanation, which is called a theory that gives proper scientific reasoning to the observed physical phenomenon.

A theory that has withstood the test for many valid experiments with great regularity and if the duplication of the tests under different physical circumstances still follow the theoretical foundation made, it is then considered as a law. The law is the final element of scientific method and it will give proper and concise statement or mathematical relation regarding the physical phenomenon.