Who, What, Where, When, and How of Science
Which part of science involves asking a question about something you observe?
Formulating a question or asking a scientific question
What is the independent variable in an experiment?
What is the independent variable in an experiment?
What is a model in science?
A simplified representation of a real object, system, or process used to understand or predict behavior
What tense is usually used when writing a lab report's Methods and Results?
Past tense
What should you wear to protect your eyes in the lab?
Safety googles
What is a "phenomenon" in science?
An observable event or occurrence that scientists want to explain
What is the dependent variable?
The variable that is measured or observed; it depends on the independent variable
Give one advantage of using a diagram or model.
Makes complex ideas easier to visualize; helps make predictions or test ideas
Why is scientific writing often written in third person?
To focus on the actions and results rather than the experimenter; makes writing objective
What is the first thing you should do if a chemical splashes in your eyes?
Rinse eyes immediately at the eyewash station and inform the teacher
Why do scientists use evidence when explaining phenomena?
To support explanations and make them reliable and testable
In a plant growth experiment testing fertilizer amounts, which is the independent and which is the dependent variable?
Independent = amount of fertilizer; Dependent = plant growth (height, mass, etc.)
Give one disadvantage or limitation of models.
They may oversimplify, leaving out important details; may not perfectly represent reality
Rewrite this sentence in passive voice and past tense (example): "We measured the temperature every minute."
"The temperature was measured every minute."
Name two behaviors that are NOT allowed in the science lab
Eating or drinking, horseplay, or unauthorized experiments
Where do scientists record observations and data during investigations?
In a lab notebook, data table, or graph
Why is it important to keep other variables constant (control variables) during an experiment?
To ensure that changes in the dependent variable are caused by the independent variable only
When would a scientist choose a physical model over a computer model?
When hands-on manipulation or scale representation is helpful or when computing resources are limited
Name three specific pieces of information that should be included in the Methods section of a lab report.
Materials used (with quantities), step-by-step procedures, and how measurements were taken/instruments used)
What do you use to carry a hot test tube
Tongs or silicon heat glove
How does the scientific explanation differ from an opinion?
A scientific explanation is based on evidence, logic, and testing; an opinion is a personal belief not necessarily supported by evidence
Describe one way to improve the reliability of experimental results.
Repeat trials or increase sample size
Explain how multiple models can be used together to study a phenomenon (advantage and potential downside).
Using multiple models can provide different perspectives and cross-checks (advantage), but it can lead to conflicting predictions or require more time to reconcile differences (downside).
Explain why passive voice and past tense are commonly used in scientific writing (include one drawback of passive voice)
They emphasize the procedure and results rather than the researcher and make the report sound objective; drawback: passive voice can be wordy or less clear about who performed actions.
Describe the correct procedure for disposing of broken glass and/or chemicals
Tell the teacher. That's not your job