Science.K.5.B

Scientists attempt to uncover and understand cause-and-effect relationships through scientific investigations. Scientists analyze the causes of the patterns they observe, including how and why phenomena occur and if the occurrences of these patterns are conditional. For example, scientists investigate cause and effect mechanisms in the motion of a single object, specific chemical reactions, or population changes in an ecosystem or a society.

In engineering, the goal is to design a system to cause the desired effect. Engineers must understand the underlying causal relationships to devise and explain a design that can achieve a specified objective. They seek answers to the questions that explain system relationships. Engineers analyze how particular elements affect the functionality and cost of a design. The design's quality or solution can often be improved as knowledge of the relevant relationship is improved. For example, when designing a bridge, engineers will stress test their prototypes to determine how much weight the bridge can successfully support. They are using their understanding of cause and effect to ensure that the bridge can hold the desired weight.