Lesson #1: The Discrepant Event

Transcription

1 Lesson #1: The Discrepant Event

2 What is Magic? Is Magic Science?

3 Discrepant Event A phenomenom with an outcome that is not what the observer would normally expect Often these events are described as surprising, baffling and even magic There is always a scientific basis to a discrepant event although it often requires the observer to carefully observe the event in order to make plausible inferences about the event. Quite often these events challenge assumptions and the knowledge and understanding of the observer which in turn leads to a deeper understanding and advancement of scientific learning.

4 Explaining a Discrepant Event Before attempting to explain any type of discrepant event, look at the event first. Then: 1. State the Problem i. You will have just seen something that made you think what the?. This would be the problem that you need to state. 2. Describe what happened i. Describe each step of the procedure ii. Be as descriptive as possible about the observations made with each step 3. Describe what you expected to happen 4. Theory i. What scientific concepts are involved? ii. What assumptions have been made and are they correct? iii. Why did what happen actually happen? 5. Conclusion i. Why did the event happen? ii. Briefly explain your reasoning iii. Further Action?

5 Considerations when dealing with a Discrepant Event When trying to explain a discrepant event, the goal is to construct a plausible explanation. A plausible explanation in one that can: 1. Be proved to be correct 2. CANNOT be proved incorrect In many cases, there may be more than one possible explanations for a discrepant event. However, the goal of explaining a discrepant event is to construct a single plausible explanation Ockham s Razor is a principle that states that is two or more theories equally explain an event or phenomenon, the simplest theory is likely the most valid. Ockham s Razor is often used when constructing a plausible explanation of a discrepant event

6 Discrepant Event #1: Is White White? Materials Needed: 2 white cue cards, scissors, ruler 1. Place the two cue cards beside each other on a desk top 2. Make observations about both cards 3. Using the ruler, measure a 3cm by 3cm square in the middle of one of the cards 4. Using the scissors, cut out the square 5. Place the cut cue card on the table and cover it with the second card 6. Turn the top card so that the two cards are perpendicular (form a cross) 7. Lift the two cards up to eye level 8. Describe what you see (if done correctly you should see lighter and darker regions) 9. Explain this phenomenon

7 Discrepant Event #2: The Battery Operated Can Materials Needed: 3 empty coffee cans with lids, 1 AA battery, masking tape, marker 1. Place a strip of masking tape on the outside of each can running from the top of the can to the bottom of the can 2. On each can, place a (+) sign on the top of the tape (near the top of the can) 3. On each can place a (-) sign on the bottom of the tape (near the bottom of the can) 4. Place the AA battery into one of the cans 5. Put the lids onto all three cans (NOTE ONCE THE LIDS ARE ON THEY CANNOT BE REMOVED UNLESS THE PROCEDURE IS BEING RESTARTED FROM STEP #4) 6. Place the two empty cans 30cm apart, standing upright so that the tape with the (+) and (-) signs are facing towards you 7. Place and hold the battery powered can on its side halfway between the two empty cans so that the (+) sign is pointing away from you 8. Release the can (if done correctly, the battery powered can should move towards one of the empty cans) 9. Place and hold the battery powered can on its side halfway between the two empty cans to that the (+) sign is pointing towards you 10. Release the can (if done correctly, the battery powered can should move towards the other empty can) 11. Explain the phenomena

8 Discrepant Event #3: Paper beats Rock Materials needed: An old metre stick (or long narrow strip of wood, a rock (or small brick), a newspaper, a table 1. Examine the metre stick, rock and newspaper and record your observations 2. Place the metre stick on the table top so that 20cm is hanging over the edge of the table 3. Place the rock on the end of the metre stick resting on the table 4. Hit the overhanging part of the metre stick with a strong downward motion. Be careful, a rock may go flying through the air 5. Record your observations 6. Replace the metre stick on the table so that 20cm is hanging over the edge of the table 7. Take a section of the newspaper, completely unfold it and then cover the part of the metre stick resting on the table 8. Hit the overhanging part of the metre stick with a strong downward motion (if done correctly the metre stick should snap) 9. Record your observations 10. Explain this phenomenon

9 Discrepant Event #4: Magic Milk Materials Needed: A bowl, A dropper of food colouring, 250ml of milk, dish soap, Q-tips 1. Pour 250ml of milk into the bowl 2. Put one drop of food colouring in 4 different spots of the bowl 3. Dip the Q-tip into the dish soap 4. Dip the Q-tip into the milk next to any one of the four dots 5. Record your observations 6. Explain this phenomenon

10 Discrepant Event #5: The Anti-Gravity Hammer Materials Needed: A 16oz Carpenter s hammer, A wooden 30cm (12 inch) ruler, 25cm (10 inch) of string, tape 1. Make a loop out of the string by tying the ends of the string together 2. Slip the loop around the handle of the hammer 3. Slide the ruler through the same loop so that the handle of the hammer is near the 30cm end of the ruler and the head of the hammer is near the 0cm end of the ruler 4. Place the ruler and hammer on the edge of a table as diagrammed on the left i. The edge of the table should line up with the 5cm mark of the ruler ii. The handle of the hammer should rest against the 30cm end of the ruler iii. The head of the hammer should rest against the bottom of the table 5cm past the 0cm mark of the ruler iv. The loop should be positioned near to the 10cm mark of the ruler and the handle of the hammer should form a 30 to 45 degree angle with the ruler 5. Release the hammer (if done correctly the hammer should appear to float under the table) 6. Record your observations 7. Explain this phenomena

11 Discrepant Event #6: Cottonball Craziness Materials Needed: Two paper cups, one cotton ball, a ruler 1. Examine and make observations about the cotton ball and the cups 2. Place one cup on the corner of a table 3. Place the second cup on the edge of the table 10cm away from the first cup (use the ruler to measure) 4. Place the cotton ball into the first cup 5. Crouch in front of the first cup so that you are in line with the two cups 6. Take a deep breath and blow quickly and forcefully over the top of the first cup towards the second cup. Do not blow into the cup! (If done correctly, the cotton ball should jump into the second cup) 7. Record your observations 8. Explain this phenomenon