Nature of Science & Inquiry
What is the process scientists use to ask questions, make observations, and test ideas?
The scientific method
What is the formula for speed?
Speed = Distance ÷ Time
What is energy?
The ability to do work or cause change.
What is heat?
The transfer of thermal energy between objects.
What form of energy cooks food in a microwave?
Radiant energy
What type of reasoning uses specific observations to form a general conclusion?
Inductive reasoning
What’s the difference between speed and velocity?
Velocity includes direction, while speed does not.
What are the two main types of energy?
Kinetic (motion) and Potential (stored).
What is the difference between conduction and convection?
Conduction transfers heat by direct contact; convection moves heat through fluids (liquids/gases).
What type of energy is stored in a battery?
Chemical energy
What’s the difference between a scientific theory and a scientific law?
A theory explains why something happens; a law describes what happens.
What happens to an object’s motion when the forces acting on it are balanced?
The object’s motion does not change (it stays at rest or moves at constant speed).
What does the Law of Conservation of Energy state?
Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only changed from one form to another.
How does radiation differ from conduction and convection?
Radiation transfers heat through waves or electromagnetic energy, not through particles or matter.
What kind of energy is released when wood burns?
Thermal and light energy
Give one example of a scientific law and one example of a scientific theory.
Law of Gravity (law) and Theory of Relativity (theory)
What is Newton's 2nd law of motion?
F = m × a (Force = mass × acceleration)
Name 3 forms of energy
Mechanical Energy
Thermal (Heat) Energy
Radiant (Light) Energy
Electrical Energy
Chemical Energy
Nuclear Energy
Sound Energy
Gravitational Energy
Why do metal objects feel colder than wood, even if they’re at the same temperature?
Metals are good conductors, so they transfer heat away from your hand faster.
What energy transformation happens in a flashlight?
Chemical → Electrical → Light
what is Newton's 1st law of moton?
Inertia. An object at rest will stay at rest, and an object in motion will stay in motion at a constant speed and in a straight line unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
What is Newton's 3rd law?
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Anything that has motion has what?
Energy
Explain why hot air rises and cool air sinks.
Warm air is less dense (molecules spread out), while cool air is more dense (molecules closer together).
Why doesn’t a roller coaster reach the same height after the first hill?
Because some energy is transformed into heat and sound due to friction and air resistance.