Variables
What are the three types of variables?
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Controlled Variable
A student is investigating which brand of sunscreen protects skin the best from sun damage. Why should the student make sure that the experiment could be repeated by others?
A - The outcome is not reliable unless different sunscreens are tested in different ways.
B - The outcome is not reliable unless others can replicate the experiment and get similar result.
C - The outcome is not reliable unless more than one dependent variable is measured by others.
D - The outcome is not reliable unless more than one independent variable is included for others to test.
B - The outcome is not reliable unless others can replicate the experiment and get similar result.
True / False: The Scientific Method is never repeated, and can only occur once!
False!!
Science Method is a cycle and can always repeat!
True / False:
Science makes important contributions to our society!!
True
True / False: Theory transforms into a Law
False!!
Theory and Law are FUNDAMENTALLY different and explain different facets of science.
The higher the temperature of the air in the oven, the faster a cake will bake.
What is the dependent variable?
Time it takes for the cake to bake
True / False: If we cannot validate a scientific discovery, we can still accept it!
What is the very first step in ANY scientific method??
We Ask a Question & We Observe!!
Fill in the Blank:
Science uses _______ & __________ to explain observations and evidence.
Logic & Reasoning
Both Theory and Law can change.
True!
While Theory is more susceptible to change, both law and theory are subject to change.
Write down the difference between Independent Variable and Dependent Variable?
Independent Variable = cause / what you are changing in the experiment
Dependent Variable = effect / what is changing (measuring) in the experiment
Why do we repeat and create trials in science?
We repeat ourselves to validate our data and evidence!
List the steps required for the Scientific Method:
_________
_________
_________
_________
_________
Observe / Question
** Background Research
Hypothesis
Experiment
Data Analysis
Conclusion
Fill in the Blank:
Science changes with new __________ & _________.
Information and Evidence
* Double Points for (that is validated) at the end of the phrase!
Write down the difference between theory vs. law
Theory: explains why or how something occurs
Law: explains / predicts what will happen
In a scientific test, what is the name of the group where nothing changes?
A - Experiment
B - Control Group
C - Experimental Group
D - Hypothesis
Some scientists are concerned that tv, radio and social media report the outcome of experiments too quickly. What would be the major scientific concern?
Conclusions may be drawn by the public before the results are replicated by other laboratories.
Imagine that your school science fair requires you to do an experiment. You decide to research the weathering of rocks. Which of the following scientific investigations would best meet your school’s requirement for a valid experiment?
A - using three samples of the same kind of rock, place one rock in lemon juice, one in vinegar, and one in orange juice to observe how different types of acids affect the speed of weathering
B - placing a rock in an acid such as lemon juice, developing a procedure for observing it, and carefully recording your findings over a period of time
C - placing a rock in an acid such as lemon juice and inferring, after a few days of careful observation, that rocks weather faster in an acid than they do in water
D - placing several different types of rocks in various types of acids and observing what changes take place in each type of rock
A - using three samples of the same kind of rock, place one rock in lemon juice, one in vinegar, and one in orange juice to observe how different types of acids affect the speed of weathering
There are 4 groups in a class that conducted the same experiment: Group A, B, C, and D. Every group except Group C got the same data. Write down what Group C SHOULD DO & what Group C SHOULD NOT DO!!
Should: Compare procedure and steps of the experiment with the rest of the groups to discover possible errors and to learn how students interpreted the data
Should NOT: Copy the data as their own OR Discard the data as false
After researching ideas and reviewing experiments about how life arose on Earth, a scientist reports in an interview that he has a new theory on the origin of life. Why is the scientist not using the term theory in its proper scientific sense?
The scientist is not using sufficient evidence and testing to support his theory - until then, his statement is a HYPOTHESIS! (DOUBLE POINTS FOR DIFFERENTIATING)
Angela is modeling seismic waves using a Slinky toy. She wants to see if the size of the ‘seismic’ waves increase when the Slinky is moving at higher speeds. What is the test variable (independent variable) in this experiment?
Speed of the Slinky Toy
A student is investigating which brand of sunscreen protects skin the best from sun damage. Why should the student make sure that the experiment could be repeated by others?
A - The outcome is not reliable unless different sunscreens are tested in different ways.
B - The outcome is not reliable unless others can replicate the experiment and get similar result.
C - The outcome is not reliable unless more than one dependent variable is measured by others.
D - The outcome is not reliable unless more than one independent variable is included for others to test.
B - The outcome is not reliable unless others can replicate the experiment and get similar result.
A volcano is a complex and dangerous system. A scientist wants to study how the forces generated by an erupting volcano affect how far soot and ash are thrown from the volcano, without studying the system directly. What method should the scientist use to conduct the research?
A - Make casual observations of dormant volcanoes and the rocks surrounding them.
B - Construct a model of the volcano to scale and use it to conduct an experiment.
C - Conduct systematic observations of an extinct volcano and the rocks in the area.
D - Use a telescope to observe the activity of an erupting volcano from a distance over time.
B - Construct a model of the volcano to scale and use it to conduct an experiment.
A science class conducts experiments on the percent of oxygen in the air. When discussing their results, it is discovered that each lab group came to different conclusions. What should they do next?
A - Change their data to reflect the known percentage of oxygen in the air.
B - Find the range between the highest and lowest percentage found.
C - Compare methods used and identify possible errors.
D - Vote on the group with the best procedure and copy their results.
C - Compare methods used and identify possible errors.
The theory of plate tectonics states that continents move because convection currents in the mantle cause the oceanic plates to move, rebuilding new seafloor that pushes on the continental plates. Why is plate tectonics a scientific theory?
A - It predicts the exact movement of the plates.
B - Plate tectonics provides a well-supported explanation for how the plates move.
C - Plate tectonics proves that oceanic crust is less dense than continental crust.
D - Plate tectonics proves how oceanic crust is made.
B - Plate tectonics provides a well-supported explanation for how the plates move.