Science Skills
Earth and Space (Observing the Universe)
Force and Motion
Magnetism and Machines
Classification and Cells
100
What is the difference between an observation and an inference in a scientific investigation?
Observation: something you notice using your senses or tools (e.g. “The water is boiling”). Inference: a conclusion or explanation based on observations (e.g. “The water is boiling because it’s at 100°C”).
100
Which heavenly body is at the centre of our Solar System?
The Sun.
100
Define force in scientific terms.
A push or pull on an object that can change its motion, shape, or direction.
100
Name the two poles of a magnet.
Attraction and Repulsion
100
List the five kingdoms commonly used to classify living things.
Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists, Monera (Bacteria).
200
Name one advantage of repeating trials in an experiment.
Improves reliability by showing consistent results and reducing the effect of random errors.
200
Why do we see different constellations at different times of the year?
Because Earth orbits the Sun, changing our view of the night sky.
200
Give one example of when forces are balanced, and another when forces are unbalanced.
Balanced: a book resting on a table. Unbalanced: a ball being kicked and speeding up.
200
What are the two terms starting with "A" and "R" that describe magentic force?
Attraction and Repulsion
200
What key features are similar between frogs and fish, and what is the key difference?
They both have no fur, no feathers and moist skin, however, a fish has scales and a frog does not
300
Identify the independent and dependent variables in this example: A student tests whether sunlight affects plant growth.
Independent: amount of sunlight. Dependent: plant growth (height or mass)
300
How does the tilt of Earth’s axis cause the seasons?
The tilt makes parts of Earth receive more direct sunlight at different times of the year, changing temperature and daylight hours.
300
Name four different types of forces and describe what each one does.
300
Explain how a pulley makes lifting a load easier.
It changes the direction of the force and can reduce the effort needed by spreading the load over more rope lengths.
300
Name two organelles found in plant fungi and animal cells.
Nucleus and mitochondria
400
Describe the trend of this graph - As "___" increases "______" (increases/decreases)
As time increases, distance increases
400
What are the TWO hemispheres on Earth called, and how are they significant in terms of seasonal change
The northern and southern hemispheres.
Due to the Earth's tilt, at certain times of the year, more direct sunlight hits that hemisphere, causing summer.
For example, in December, the Southern Hemisphere is tilted towards the sun; therefore, more direct sunlight is hitting the Southern Hemisphere. This causes summer.
On the other hand, during December, the Northern hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, with less direct sunlight, causing winter.
400
Explain what happens to the motion of an object when an unbalanced force acts on it.
It will accelerate, decelerate, or change direction depending on the direction of the force.
400
The woomera is a traditional Aboriginal tool. What kind of simple machine is it, and how does this increase mechanical advantage.
Lever - It allows you to throw a spear further and faster with less work
400
What organelles are ONLY found in plant and fungi cells
(Bonus 100 points to identify an organelle ONLY found in plant cells not fungi or bacteria)
Cell wall, vacuole
Bonus - Chloroplast
500
Identify 4 things missing from this graph
title
axis heading for independent and dependent variable
scale on x axis
500
What is the difference between a solar and lunar eclipse?
In a solar eclipse - The Moon moves between the Earth and the Sun, blocking sunlight from reaching Earth
In a lunar eclipse - The Earth moves between the Sun and the Moon, casting a shadow on the Moon
500
What direction is this car moving in?
The car is stationary
500
Identify what type of simple machine this is, what each term is AND what they mean
Seesaw is a lever
Load - The object you are trying to lift
Effort - is the amount of work you apply to the machine
Fulcrum - is the pivot point that allows the work to be easier
500
Name the organelles
A - Nucleus
B- Cytoplasm
C - Cell membrane
D - Mitochondria
E - Cell Wall
F - Chloroplast
G - Vacuole