Mythbusters walk or run in the rain

Name: Mythbusters Science Season 1, Episode 1 “Ice Bullet, Exploding Toilet, Who Gets Wetter” The Myth: If caught in a rainstorm, you will stay drier if by running for shelter, instead of walking. Experimental Setup: The Mythbusters set up a controlled experiment to compare the amount of rainwater absorbed by walking versus running a set distance. Background Questions: (Answer before watching the episode!) 1. Define, in your own words, each of these steps of the scientific method: (2 points) Question – Hypothesis – Experiment – Analysis – Conclusion – 2. The question to be answered by this segment of Mythbusters is “Do you get wetter by walking or running in the rain?” Given this question, what hypothesis do you have? HINT: Remember to provide support when stating your hypothesis! (2 points) 3. What is the independent variable to be tested in this experiment? (2 points) Page 1 Name: 4. What is the dependent variable to be measured in this experiment? (2 points) 5. A controlled experiment such as this one always has an experimental group and a control group. What is the difference between the two? (2 points) The control group… The experimental group… Application Questions: (Answer after watching the episode -- http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/mythbusters/videos/running-in-therain-minimyth/) 6. The goal of a controlled experiment is to only alter the variable that is to be tested, leaving all others constant. What variables do the Mythbusters account for in their experimental design? List five. (2 points) _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ 7. Adam and Jamie each did 4 trials: walking without wind, running without wind, walking with wind, and running with wind. Do you think this is enough data? Explain how sample size can affect the outcome of an experiment. (2 points) Page 2 Name: 8. This is the data table based on the Mythbusters’ results. Calculate the amount of water absorbed in each trial. (2 points) Trial Wind Time (s) Initial Mass of Suit (g) Final Mass of Suit (g) Adam walk No 18.28 757 785 Jamie walk No 17.84 757 790 Adam run No 7.06 757 799 Jamie run No 6.59 757 793 Adam walk Yes 17.40 757 789 Jamie walk Yes 17.56 757 788 Adam run Yes 6.98 757 801 Jamie run Yes 6.51 757 790 Water Absorbed (g) 9. Calculate the average amount of water absorbed in the running and walking trials: (2 points) Avg. Water Absorbed (Running) = Avg. Water Absorbed (Walking) = 10. Based on the data recorded in the table above, generate a scatterplot graph. Mark the walking trials on the graph with an “x”, and the running trials with an “o”. The independent variable should go on the x-axis, and the dependent variable on the y-axis. Label both axes! (4 points) **NOTE: Feel free to print, complete the graphs, and scan and upload these pages when you submit your assignment. Alternatively, you may use computer software to complete questions 10-11 and/or submit via a separate file (such as Excel). Page 3 Name: 11. Next, generate a bar graph based on the average water absorbed running and walking. (4 points) 12. What conclusion did the Mythbusters make as a result of this experiment? Do you support their conclusion? Why or why not? (4 points) Page 4 ...