Scientific Method
Using observation to ask a testable question
What is the first step of the scientific method?
What does “pseudo” mean in pseudoscience?
What is the difference between an independent variable and a dependent variable?
Independent = what you change; Dependent = what you measure
A description of a pattern/relationship in nature
What is a scientific law?
Name the three main branches of science.
Life, Physical, Earth/Space
An educated guess that can be tested
What is a hypothesis?
Give one example of pseudoscience.
Astrology, Cryptozoology, Crop Circles, Palm Reading, etc etc
On a graph, which axis is the independent variable plotted on, and which axis is the dependent variable plotted on?
Independent = x-axis; Dependent = y-axis
A well-supported explanation of observations
What is a scientific theory?
Which branch studies living things?
Life Science
It ensures results are reliable
What is repeatability in terms of science?
Why isn’t pseudoscience considered real science?
It is opinion based, belief base, does not follow the scientific method
Which type of graph best shows change over time?
Line Graph
How are laws and theories different?
Law = what happens, Theory = why it happens
Which branch includes astronomy and geology
Earth/Space Science
List three steps of the scientific method in order
Question/Observation--Hypothesis--Experiment--Data--Analyze--Conclusion--Share results
Is Pseudoscience always testable?
No
A student tests if sugar water or plain water makes flowers last longer. Identify the independent and dependent variables.
IV = type of liquid; DV = how long flowers last
Give an example of a scientific law
Newton’s Laws of Motion
Law of Gravity
Law of Conservation of Mass
Law of Conservation of Energy
Boyle’s Law (gas pressure/volume)
Charles’s Law (gas temp/volume)
Kepler’s Laws (planet orbits)
Ohm’s Law (electricity)
Which branch studies chemistry and physics?
Physical Science
What is the difference between repetition and replication in science?
Repetition = same scientist repeating their own experiment.
Replication = other scientists performing the experiment to confirm results.
Compare two ways science and pseudoscience differ.
Testability
Science: Questions are testable with experiments.
Pseudoscience: Claims cannot be tested.
Evidence
Science: Relies on measurable, observable evidence.
Pseudoscience: Relies on beliefs or anecdotes.
Repeatability
Science: Results must be repeatable by others.
Pseudoscience: Results are not repeatable.
Peer Review
Science: Findings are reviewed and critiqued by other scientists.
Pseudoscience: Lacks peer review.
Predictions
Science: Makes specific, testable predictions.
Pseudoscience: Makes vague predictions.
Bias
Science: Tries to eliminate bias with controlled methods.
Pseudoscience: Often confirms what believers already want to see.
Why are controls important in an experiment?
They keep conditions the same so only one variable is tested
Give an example of scientific theory
Atomic Theory
Cell Theory
Evolution
Plate Tectonics
Germ Theory
Kinetic Theory of Matter
Big Bang Theory
Theory of Relativity
Match each career to the branch of science: Chemist, Biologist, Meteorologist, Astronomer.
Chemist = Physical; Biologist = Life; Meteorologist = Earth/Space; Astronomer = Earth/Space