In science we create models to represent natural phenomena. Scientific models can take on many different forms (e.g. graphs, equations, sketches,
concepts). Models are tested, then revised, accepted or discarded based on experimental results.
The core activity in science involves creating and testing scientific models. There are some tools which you may find useful for creating, testing and utilizing scientific models. Each experiment performed addresses a specific question raised about a natural phenomenon. Once a question has been raised, a scientist thinks of several possible explanations or hypotheses or models which might answer the question raised. In the physical sciences we usually work with scientific models which encompass all previously known scientific laws, and address the question raised about the phenomenon studied. Of the serveral possible "working" or tentative models (which have not yet passed experimental tests), the most plausible model is usually selected for experimental testing first. Once armed with a question raised and a possible explanation or model, an experiment can be planned to test the model. After the experiment has been planned (in the ideal case all variables are held constant while one is varied), a result can be anticipated or predicted.
Working Model Guide
After the experiment has been performed, and the results are in-hand, one can draw conclu sions about the quality of the original "working" model. If
you were on the right track, the model may be acceptable as is or only require a minor modification which the results from your experiment might
indicate. If so, then the model is tweaked, another experiment performed, and the results again assessed against the revised model. So the the
scientific process is not hard and fast, but is rigorous in that any human ideas about nature are tested against nature with experiments or
observations.
To guide you in learning this process of doing science, so that it becomes rote, a "Working Model" guide is useful.
