Laws of Conservation
What does the Law of Conservation of Mass state?
Matter cannot be created or destroyed in a closed system.
What is a scientific law?
A statement that describes an observable occurrence in nature that appears to always be true.
What does it mean that scientific knowledge comes from debate and confirmation?
Scientific ideas are tested, discussed, and refined over time based on new evidence.
What is pseudoscience?
Claims or beliefs that are presented as scientific but do not adhere to the scientific method.
What are the main characteristics of science?
Observation, experimentation, and falsifiability.
Give an example of how energy is conserved in a food chain.
Energy is transferred from one trophic level to another, but the total energy remains constant.
Provide an example of a scientific theory.
The Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection
Name a famous scientific debate and its outcome.
The debate between Newton and Leibniz over calculus; both contributions were recognized as significant.
Give an example of a pseudoscientific idea.
Astrology.
Describe the scientific method
A systematic approach involving observation, question formulation, hypothesis testing, data collection, and analysis.
How does the Law of Conservation of Energy apply to a roller coaster?
The potential energy at the top of the hill converts to kinetic energy as it descends.
What distinguishes a theory from a law?
A theory explains why something happens, while a law describes what happens.
How does peer review contribute to scientific knowledge?
It ensures that research is evaluated and validated by other experts in the field.
How can you distinguish between scientific and pseudoscientific claims?
Scientific claims are supported by evidence and can be tested, while pseudoscientific claims lack rigorous testing.
How does collaboration benefit scientific research?
It brings diverse perspectives and expertise, enhancing the quality of research.
Cite evidence that living systems follow the Laws of Conservation of Mass and Energy.
In cellular respiration, glucose and oxygen are converted into carbon dioxide, water, and energy, demonstrating mass and energy conservation.
Give an example of evidence that supports the Theory of Plate Tectonics.
The fit of South America and Africa, and the distribution of earthquakes along plate boundaries.
Why do scientific ideas change over time?
New evidence can lead to reevaluation and modification of existing theories or laws.
What are the dangers of pseudoscience?
It can lead to misinformation and harmful practices due to lack of scientific backing.
Discuss the importance of reproducibility in scientific experiments.
Reproducibility confirms the reliability of results and strengthens scientific findings.
Why is understanding the conservation laws important in ecological studies?
It helps scientists understand energy flow and nutrient cycling within ecosystems.
Why is it important to understand the difference between theories and laws in science?
It helps clarify the nature of scientific understanding and the role of evidence in supporting scientific claims.
Explain the role of replication in scientific research.
Replication helps verify results and ensures reliability of findings across different studies.
Why is critical thinking important in distinguishing science from pseudoscience?
Critical thinking allows individuals to evaluate evidence and claims logically and rationally.
Why is skepticism a vital part of scientific inquiry?
Skepticism encourages questioning, thorough investigation, and verification of claims before acceptance.