There is no single scientific method, but over at Uncertain Principles, we can see an example of science getting done in a particular way.<\/p>\n
First there’s an observation of a phenomenon, which runs contrary to another, similar phenomenon: Playground Physics: Roller Slide Mystery<\/a><\/p>\n The acceleration of an object sliding down a ramp, even with friction, should not depend on the mass of the object. And yet, I very clearly go faster than SteelyKid does, and while I don’t have the video to test it qualitatively, I’m pretty sure Kate’s rate of sliding falls between SteelyKid and me.<\/p>\n So, the question for you is: Why does that happen?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The question is raised, and discussion ensues. A promising hypothesis is offered in the comments (and not too long before I read the post, so I didn’t get a chance to think about it)<\/p>\n Chad fleshes out the concept behind the suggested model and presents the data: Lacking the time to go and get better data (which can be a proxy for those situations where circumstances dictate that you can’t<\/em> get more data, we have a simulation based on the model that has been constructed. The results certainly point to the model being plausible, and would allow for a more detailed experiment should someone wish to follow up on it. Not a bad representation of the scientific method. But I didn’t entitle this “Scientific Method in Action,” and for one reason:<\/p>\n I really ought to be doing other things, but this roller slide business kept nagging at me, and I eventually realized I could mock up a crude simulation of the results.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n If you want to sum up what science all about \u2014 more than just the method \u2014 it would have to include the inquisitiveness of the people who practice it. Unsolved problems bug us, and it doesn’t even have to be your own problem. If you tell a scientist what you’re stuck on, it’s not unusual to get a response a little later on that starts off with “I was thinking about that problem \u2014 have you tried X?” When you’re stuck on your own problem, the distraction of someone else’s problem is very attractive.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" There is no single scientific method, but over at Uncertain Principles, we can see an example of science getting done in a particular way. First there’s an observation of a phenomenon, which runs contrary to another, similar phenomenon: Playground Physics: … Continue reading
\nRoller Slide Physics Explained<\/a><\/p>\n
\nRoller Slide Physics Simulated<\/a><\/p>\n