Vocabulary Definitions
A testable idea or explanation that leads to a scientific investigation.
What is a hypothesis?
This is the process of obtaining information by using the senses.
What is observation?
A representation of something in the natural world that may be physical, computer-based, or mathematical.
What is a model?
The branch of science that studies living things.
What is biology or life science?
True or false: A scientific theory is simply a hunch or the opinion of one scientist.
What is false? A scientific theory is a well-supported explanation based on substantial evidence.
Information gathered through observation or experimentation that can be used in reasoning or calculating.
What is data?
An organized procedure used to study something under controlled conditions.
What is an experiment?
A well-supported and widely accepted explanation of the natural world that is based on extensive evidence.
What is a scientific theory?
The branch that studies Earth, including its materials and the processes that shape it.
What is earth science or geology?
True or false: Scientists need expensive or fancy instruments to conduct every experiment.
What is false? Scientists can conduct investigations with many different tools and materials.
Observations, measurements, and other information collected from the natural world; personal opinions do not count.
What is empirical evidence?
Put these investigation steps in order:
Plan the investigation, identify variables, collect data, analyze data, and draw a conclusion, define a problem, form a hypothesis.
What is
defining a problem, forming a hypothesis, planning the investigation, identifying variables, collecting data, analyzing data, and drawing a conclusion?
A description of a basic relationship or principle in nature that occurs under specific conditions.
What is a scientific law?
The branch that studies energy and nonliving matter, including physics and chemistry.
What is physical science?
True or false: Scientific knowledge can change when new evidence or interpretations are discovered.
What is true?
This is the factor a scientist intentionally changes in a controlled experiment.
What is the independent variable?
A student gives four pea plants different amounts of water while keeping the soil, sunlight, and number of seeds the same. The amount of water is this.
What is the independent variable?
The Pangaea maps show how continents may have been arranged millions of years ago. Explain one strength and one limitation of this model.
What is that the model helps scientists visualize the past, but it cannot show or reproduce the actual Earth from millions of years ago?
Scientists used bluegill fish and sensors to detect harmful substances in water instead of having people drink the water. Explain how this demonstrates creativity.
What is using an unusual but safe method to collect evidence about water quality?
True or false: Scientific investigations should be replicable so other scientists can repeat them and check the results.
What is true?
This is the answer reached at the end of an investigation after scientists analyze data and decide whether the evidence supports the hypothesis.
What is a conclusion?
A student’s plant investigation changes both the amount of sunlight and the type of plant. Explain why this is poor scientific methodology and how the investigation could be improved.
What is changing only one variable at a time while keeping the plant type and other conditions constant?
Newton described how gravity behaves, while Einstein later proposed an explanation for how gravity works. What does this example show about the difference between a law and a theory?
What is that a law describes what happens under certain conditions, while a theory explains why or how it happens?
Popcorn pops when water inside the kernel heats up, turns to gas, and expands. Explain why this is a good scientific explanation.
What is that it uses evidence and logic, can be tested, and could be supported or shown to be incorrect by further investigation?
True or false: A scientific law and a scientific theory mean the same thing, and a theory eventually becomes a law.
What is false? A law describes a relationship or pattern, while a theory explains natural phenomena. A theory does not become a law.