Observations and Inferences and CER
Metric System
Variables
Graphing
Mystery Science
100
Write one qualitative and one quantitative observation from something you observe around the room.
Answers vary
100
List at least 2 reasons why the metric system is preferred in science over the Imperial system.
- it's based on powers of 10
- it is standardized
- most of the world uses it, so they are familiar with it
- converting between units is easier (than the Imperial system)
- everything is based on base units
100
What is the purpose of the control group?
The control group is the group that does not have the independent variable applied to it, and is used for comparison.
100
True or False:
Your intervals on the x-axis need to be the same intervals as the y-axis.
False, the scale can be different but the spacing needs to be uniform for both.
100
True or False:
You cannot taste food without saliva.
True: you need saliva to break down the chemicals found in food in order for them to be detected by your taste buds
200
Write a statement comparing qualitative and quantitative data.
Qualitative data is what is observed using the 5 senses and the quantitative data is measured and represents numerical data.
200
Convert: 8.4 dekameters= _______ kilometers
.084 kilometers
200
Do confounding variables automatically discredit an experiment?
No, they need to be accounted for in the conclusion. The study becomes reliable when other researchers recreate the study, yielding the same results.
200
Write a statement comparing line graphs and bar graphs.
A line graph is best to show trends over time and a bar graph is best to compare values.
200
How long can a cockroach live without its head?
According to pestworld.org:
Cockroaches can live for up to one week without it's head because it does not breathe through it's mouth. It will die from dehydration because it cannot eat or drink.
300
What could you infer about why someone would give you a mint.
check answers
300
Express in terms of the smallest unit:
8L, 43mL
8,043 mL
300
Jordan designs an experiment with his classmates to test how different lighting affects reading speed. He creates 3 experimental groups and gives each group the same reading passage with equal word count and difficulty. All 30 students are in the same 7th grade class with the same reading level. Each group has 10 students and reads for exactly 20 minutes.
Group 1 – reads under bright white LED lights in a classroom.
Group 2 – reads under soft yellow lighting in a quiet room.
Group 3 – reads using natural sunlight near a window.
Is this a valid experiment? Why or why not?
This is not a valid experiment because there are too many independent variables being tested.
300
Which variable goes on which axis?
Independent = x-axis
Dependent = y-axis
300
Do clouds have a significant mass?
Yes! Clouds can weigh up to one million pounds.
400
What goes in the evidence section of a CER conclusion?
The evidence piece of a CER will include the qualitative and quantitative data taken directly from the lab or experiment.
400
Compare the two quantities
95, 870 m ________ 958.70 km
95.870 m < 958.7 km
400
Maya designs an experiment to test how different distractions affect reaction time. She uses a simple computer game that measures how quickly students click when a shape appears on the screen. She divides 30 seventh-grade students into 3 groups.
Group 1 – wears noise-canceling headphones with no sound.
Group 2 – listens to background talking.
Group 3 – listens to loud music.
Name at least 3 control variables for this experiment.
- age of students
- same testing room
- same time of day
- same computer program
- same music and background noise (for those groups)
400
What type of graph would be best to represent this data and why?
A line graph because it will show the hare and lynx population over the course of multiple years.
400
Can water boil and freeze at the same time?
500
What should go in the reasoning section of a conclusion?
The reasoning section of a CER will explain the science behind the claim using scientific principles and theories.
500
Compare the two quantities
74,300,000 mm ________ 74.3 km
74,300,000 mm = 74.3 km
500
Maya designs an experiment to test how different distractions affect reaction time. She uses a simple computer game that measures how quickly students click when a shape appears on the screen. She divides 30 seventh-grade students into 3 groups.
Group 1 – wears noise-canceling headphones with no sound.
Group 2 – listens to background talking.
Group 3 – listens to loud music.
Name at least 2 confounding variables for this experiment.
- personal preference in terms of background noise
- amount of sleep each person had the night before
- hunger/thirst levels
500
What is one thing you could lose points on when you create a graph? (Besides from graphing the information incorrectly)
- missing title
- missing axis labels
- axis labels do not include units (seconds, days, grams, etc)
- intervals are not evenly spaced
500
If you lit a fart on fire, what color would the flame be?
The flame would most likely be blue due to methane.