Vocabulary
Scientific Method Steps
Scenarios
Anything Goes
100
A prediction or statement made based on observations that can be tested
hypothesis
100
Susan said, "If I fertilize my geranium plants with Miracle Grow, then they will blossom."
construct a hypothesis
100
Nick wanted to see how high an ice cube would float in different temperatures of water. What will be his DEPENDENT variable?
the height of the ice cube in the water
100
If the temperature of a cup of water was raised, then it will increase the amount of salt that dissolves. What step is this? What is the dependent variable? 2 answers!
step - hypothesis. dependent variable - how much salt dissolves.
200
Variable that is kept the same throughout an experiment
constant
200
Alice soaked six different kinds of seeds in water for 24 hours. Then she planted the seeds in soil at a depth of I cm. She used the same amount of water, light, and heat for each kind of seed.
test hypothesis / experiment
200
Tiffany was investigating how fast it took Rebecca to react to different sounds. What is the INDEPENDENT variable?
different sounds
200
Question: Does changes in temperature cause leaves to change color? Identify the independent and dependent variables if this were to be tested. 2 answers!
independent variable - changes in temperature. dependent variable - color change
300
The one thing being tested in an experiment that the experimenter CHANGES on purpose
independent variable
300
Michael experimented with the diets of guinea pigs. Based on his data, he found that guinea pigs need vitamin C and protein in their diets.
draw a conclusion
300
Karl wanted to know which pesticide was more effective at killing bugs on his potato plants. He treated 2 potato plants with 2 different kinds of pesticides and left the 3rd potato plant untreated. What is the control in his experiment? The dependent variable? 2 answers!
Control - plant untreated. Dependent variable - amount of bugs on potato plants
300
List the 6 steps to the Scientific Method in Order.
1. question. 2. research. 3. hypothesis. 4. test/experiment. 5. analyze data. 6. conclusion.
400
What is being measured in an experiment and is the result of what is being tested
dependent variable
400
Joe forgot about his lunch that he left under his bed and noticed it started to mold when he found it. This made him curious, so he asked himself if different types of food mold at different rates.
ask a question
400
A group of students conducted an experiment using a ramp and a marble. They wanted to see how the different heights of a ramp affected the distance the marble rolled. What would the independent and dependent variables be in this experiment? 2 answers!
Independent - different heights of ramp. Dependent - distance marble rolls.
400
What is the difference between an observation and an inference?
Observation - statement made based on the 5 senses. Inference - statement made based off of observations and prior knowledge.
500
A sample that is treated exactly like what is being tested except nothing is applied to it because it is used to compare what is being tested
control
500
Justin usually blows his nose using 3 Kleenex tissues. His snot keeps leaking through the tissues, and asks himself how this can be fixed. What step to the scientific method is this? If Justin where to experiment with this, what would his constant and independent variables be? 3 answers!
step - question. constant - THREE tissues, Justin, snot. independent variable - different tissue types/brands.
500
Katie thinks different types of paper affects how far a paper airplane can fly. She makes several airplanes out of different types of paper and tests out her hypothesis. Why is it important she makes each paper airplane the same way?
If she does not make them all the same way, she cannot learn about the effect different types of paper has on how far the paper airplane can fly
500
Why should a scientist, if there is time, conduct multiple trials of what they are wanting to find out?
Their results are likely to be more accurate and reliable.
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