Scientific Investigations
What is a testable explanation for an observation called?
Hypothesis
What type of variable is measured in an experiment?
Dependent variable
Doing an experiment many times is called what?
Repetition
What is a model in science?
A representation of an object, system, or concept
Observations that can be measured and tested are called what?
Empirical evidence
What is the step-by-step process scientists follow to answer questions?
Scientific process/Scientific method
Data that is described with words, like color or texture, is called what?
Qualitative data
When other scientists do the same experiment to confirm results, what is that called?
Replication
Which is a well-tested explanation: a scientific law or a scientific theory?
Theory
What is it called when evidence is used to support a claim logically?
Reasoning
What is the purpose of a control group in an experiment?
To provide a baseline for comparison
Data that is measured with numbers, like mass or temperature, is called what?
Quantitative data
Why is replication important in science?
It confirms results and reduces bias
Which describes a consistent pattern in nature: a scientific law or a scientific theory?
Law
Why must scientists say “results support” or “fail to support” a hypothesis instead of “prove”?
Because science is always open to new evidence and not absolute proof
You want to test whether sunlight affects plant growth. What would the dependent variable be?
Plant growth/height
In an experiment, what are the factors that must stay the same to keep results valid?
Constants/controlled variables
A student runs 10 trials of the same experiment. Is this repetition or replication?
Repetition
Why might a scientific theory be changed over time?
New evidence supports a different explanation
How is pseudoscience different from real science?
It lacks empirical evidence and cannot be tested
Why is it important to only change one variable at a time in an experiment?
To ensure results are due to the test variable and not other factors
A student measures how quickly different liquids freeze. Identify the independent and dependent variables.
Independent: type of liquid; Dependent: time to freeze
If two different schools perform the same experiment and get the same results, what does this show?
That the findings are reliable/replication supports validity
Give one benefit and one limitation of using scientific models.
Ex answer: Benefit: helps us study things we can’t directly observe; Limitation: cannot include every detail
Why are hypotheses valuable even if they are not supported?
They lead to new investigations and knowledge