Scientific Questions
Science: Year 5 & 6 National Curriculum, topic 11.1.1
Scientific Questions
Humans are curious animals. We ask questions all the time. Scientific questions are those that can be explored and tested.
Early experiments
- An early example of a scientific question being tested is Van Helmont’s tree experiment.
- In 1634, Jan Baptist van Helmont asked if it was true that trees ate soil as people believed.
Observation and measurement
- To test ideas, scientists make observations and take measurements.
- Jan Baptist van Helmont carried out an investigation.
Van Helmont's experiment
- Jan Baptist van Helmont wanted to work out if trees ate soil.
- van Helmont weighed a tree and its soil.
- After 5 years, he weighed both the tree and the soil again.
- The tree had increased, but the weight of the soil had hardly changed.
- He used this as evidence that the tree had not ‘eaten’ the soil.
Test yourself on Scientific Questions
What type of questions can be explored and tested to provide us with evidence for our ideas?
In 1634, Jan Baptist van Helmonnt asked if it was true that trees ate what?
What is correct about van Helmont's experiment?
What did van Helmont discover about the weight of the soil in his experiment?
What was the goal of van Helmont's experiment?