Scientific Investigation
This is the variable deliberately changed by the investigator.
The independent variable
Why do scientists use agreed-upon measurement standards?
So measurements made by different people can be understood and compared
On which axis is the independent variable placed?
The x-axis or horizontal axis
Technology is the application of this type of knowledge to benefit people.
Scientific knowledge
What variable is deliberately changed during an investigation?
Independent variable
A student changes the number of coins placed on a model bridge and measures how far the bridge bends. What is the dependent variable?
The distance the bridge bends
Pounds (lbs) is an example of an SI unit. True or false.
False
On which axis is the dependent variable placed?
The y-axis or vertical axis
A community chooses to improve its emergency-warning system instead of building an entertainment complex. What does this show about the value of technology?
The value of technology depends on a community’s needs and priorities.
What is the correct unit for the volume of a rectangular solid measured in centimeters?
Cubic centimeters, cm³
A student investigates whether soap concentration affects how long bubbles last. Name two factors that should remain constant.
Possible answers: amount of solution, bubble wand, testing location, temperature, or method used to make each bubble
Cubic centimeters cm3 is an example of a derived unit. True or false.
True
A student compares the number of books in the mystery, fantasy, history, and science sections of a library. Which graph should be used?
A bar graph
Before developing a new product, a company considers its cost, expected benefit, and potential customers. What force is shaping the technology?
Economic forces
What graph should compare the number of students choosing four different electives?
Bar graph
A company tests an anti-fog spray on safety goggles. One pair receives no spray. What is the purpose of the untreated pair?
It is the control and provides a baseline for comparison.
A rectangular object is 8 cm long, 3 cm wide, and 2 cm high. What is its volume?
48 cm³
A family records the percentage of its monthly budget spent on housing, food, transportation, and entertainment. Which graph should be used?
A circle graph or pie chart
Scientists modify bacteria so they can break down an environmental pollutant. What type of technology is this, and why?
Biotechnology because it uses a living organism or living system
Using bacteria to produce medicine is an example of what type of technology?
Biotechnology
A student compares two soundproofing materials but changes both the material and the speaker volume. What is wrong with the investigation, and how should it be corrected?
Two variables were changed. The speaker volume should remain constant so only the soundproofing material changes.
A sample has a mass of 84 g and a volume of 12 cm³. The density is 7 g/cm³. Are the units correct?
Yes
A student changes the distance from a speaker and measures sound level. Identify the best graph and what belongs on each axis.
A line graph; distance on the x-axis and sound level on the y-axis
A more powerful microscope allows scientists to discover a new type of cell structure. That discovery is then used to design an improved microscope. What relationship does this demonstrate?
Science and technology influence one another: technology supports scientific discoveries, and scientific discoveries lead to new technology.
Explain how a control and constants make experimental results more trustworthy.
The control provides a comparison, while constants ensure the independent variable is the only planned difference.