Science Basics
A process used to investigate and understand the world.
What is science?
A reasonable, testable idea or explanation. (Educated guess)
What is a hypothesis?
A representation of something that helps scientists understand or study it.
What is a scientific model?
The application of scientific knowledge to solve problems.
What is technology?
True
True or False: Scientific experiments should be repeatable.
A group or collection of parts that work together or are connected.
What is a system?
An experiment.
What do scientists use to test a hypothesis?
model of Earth, the solar system, an atom, or a computer model.
Give one example of a scientific model.
To help solve problems, make observations, collect information, or investigate questions.
Why do scientists use technology?
o see if similar results are obtained and to make sure the results are reliable.
Why is it important to repeat an experiment?
hey make observations, ask questions, collect evidence, and test ideas.
What do scientists do when they investigate questions?
A statement about what you think will happen when you test your hypothesis.
What is a prediction?
To help visualize or study something that is difficult to see, study, or understand directly.
Why might a scientist use a model?
Information collected from observations and experiments that can be used to support an explanation.
What is evidence?
Critical thinking
Which skill involves using evidence and knowledge to decide whether an explanation makes sense?
It helps us understand the world and solve problems.
Why is science useful to people?
A prediction tells what you expect to happen if the hypothesis is correct.
Hypothesis = your testable idea or explanation.
It answers: “What do I think will happen, and why?”
What is the difference between a hypothesis and a prediction?
False
true or False: A model must look exactly like the real thing
To support or evaluate a hypothesis or explanation.
Scientists collect evidence from an experiment. What can they use that evidence for?
No. An experiment can still provide useful evidence even if it does not support the hypothesis.
A student says, "My hypothesis was wrong, so my experiment was a failure." Do you agree? Why or why not?
A system.
A scientist studies how different parts of something affect one another. What concept would be especially useful?
Heat causes particles to move faster.
If the water is warmer, then sugar will dissolve faster because __________.
We cannot easily see or reach Earth's deep interior, so a model can help us understand and visualize its layers.
You want to study the inside of Earth. Why would a model be useful?
Scientists should report the actual results. Unexpected results can provide useful information and help scientists learn more.
Why shouldn't scientists change their results just because the results do not match their prediction?
Analyze the evidence and decide whether it supports her hypothesis or explanation.
A scientist has an idea about why something happens. She makes a prediction, conducts an experiment, collects evidence, and then looks at the results. What should she do next?