Theories and Laws
Scientific Method
Variables and Hypotheses
Graphs and Conclusions
Misc. and Example Problems
100
What is a scientific theory?
Evidence based explanation for why we see something in the natural word.
100
How many steps are in the scientific method? What is step one?
Seven steps. Identify the problems or question. Make observations.
100
What is an independent variable?
What you change in an experiment on purpose.
100
What is a data table and when should you use one?
A data table is a place to record observations you make throughout the course of your experiment.
100
What is a model?
A representation of an object or system.
200
What is a scientific law?
Evidence based, describes what we see in the natural world.
200
What is the second and third step in the scientific method?
Determine your hypothesis and test your experiment.
200
What is a dependent variable?
What you measure in your experiment, your results or data.
200
How is a conclusion you write in science different from one you write in Language Arts. What must a scientific conclusion make reference to?
Scientific Conclusions must include your data and make reference to whether your hypothesis is supported or not supported.
200
What is the difference between a qualitative and quantitative observation.
Qualitative is descriptive - things like color, smell, touch Quantitative is numerical - deals in numbers.
300
What is one reason why a scientific theory or model might change?
New evidence, facts, or information.
300
What is the fourth and fifth step in the scientific method?
Collect data, graph data.
300
What is a constant, and what is a control group?
Constant - What you keep the same in an experiment. Control group - a group that doesn't have your independent variable.
300
Sam is doing an experiment to discover which type of bread will grow mold faster when left out on the counter. What kind of graph should he use and WHY? Wheat Bread - 3 Days to grow mold White Bread - 2 days to grow mold Sourdough - 5 days to grow mold
A bar graph, because his IV is in categories and his DV is in numbers.
300
Jasmine wants to conduct an experiment to determine how the amount of food she gives her dog affects her dog's energy levels when playing fetch. What is her independent variable?
The amount of food she feeds her dog.
400
What is the difference between a scientific theory and a scientific law?
Theories explain WHY we see something in the natural world. Laws describe WHAT we see.
400
What is the sixth and seventh step in the scientific method?
Draw conclusions, communicate your findings.
400
How many independent variables can you have in an experiment. Why?
One IV, because you cannot know which variable influenced your outcome if you have more than one.
400
Discuss when you should use a bar graph, a line graph, and circle graph.
Bar Graph - IV in categories DV in numbers Line Graph - IV in numbers, DV in numbers Circle Graph - IV in categories, DV in percentages
400
Marco conducts an experiment to determine how the amount of water a plant receives affects the overall growth of a plant. What is his dependent variable? What are three of his constants?
Dependent Variable: Growth of the plant Constants: Plant type, sunlight received, soil, pot size, area the plant is placed in.
500
Give one example of a theory and one example of a law.
Examples of acceptable answers: Law of gravity Law of evolution Theory of Plate tectonics Theory of natural selection
500
Maria conducts an experiment that goes through each step of the scientific method. After her experiment is over and she shares her results, she discovers that her original hypothesis is incorrect. What should she do now?
Repeat her investigation and change her hypothesis if necessary.
500
What is the definition for a hypothesis, and what is the correct format for creating one.
A prediction statement about what you think will happen in an experiment. If IV increase/decrease, then DV increase/decrease, because.
500
Outline how to write a conclusion, list all the questions you must answer.
1. Re-state the purpose of your experiment. 2. Discuss your data 3. State if your hypothesis is supported or not supported. 4. State any errors or improvements. 5. State your next step.
500
Mia has been watching her sister play soccer. She notices that soccer players that wear Adidas cleets, seem to have more accuracy in hitting the goal than players that wear Nike cleets. She thinks it might be because the Adidas have more surface area on the top of the shoe. She designs an experiment to discover if cleets make a difference in a player's ability to score. What is her hypothesis?
If a player wears Adidas, then they are more likely to hit the intended target because of the larger surface area of the cleet.
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