Nature of Science
Jordan tests whether a rubber ball or a foam ball bounces higher.
Identify the following:
Test Variable (IV)
Outcome Variable (DV)
Test = type of ball
Outcome = height of bounce
A picture shows planets circling the Sun.
Which model is this?
Heliocentric
Describe how rotation affects day and revolution affects year length.
A rotation lasts 24 hours and influences day because only a specific portion is tilted towards the sun at a given time. It takes the Earth 365 to complete one trip around the sun.
Why is life more likely on a rocky planet?
Because there is a surface on rocky planets and they form in a region that has a higher probability to be habitable. Second part is +50pts.
An object has mass 200 g and volume 100 cm³. Find density.
200/100 = 2g/cm3
+50pts for units
A scientist compares plant growth using blue light vs. red light.
1) type of light
2) plant growth
3) type of plant and nutrients provided (bonus 50)
A diagram shows elliptical orbits with moons orbiting planets with a sun in the center.
- Which model is described?
Heliocentric
Explain why hemispheres experience opposite seasons even with equal yearly sunlight.
When one hemisphere is tilted away form the sun, the other one is tilted towards the sun. This yields opposing seasons.
Compare atmosphere, size, and density of inner vs. outer planets.
Atmosphere of inner planets is thinner
Outer planets are larger
Inner planets are more dense
A solution has density 1.3 g/cm³. What is the mass of 250 cm³?
M = D x V
1.3 * 250
325g
+ 50pts for units
Ray claims he can solve maze puzzles the fastest. Results: Ray, Mia, Mia.
4. What was Ray’s hypothesis?
5. What conclusion can you make?
4) Ray can solve maze puzzles the fastest
5) He is not the fastest because he tied everyone else.
- The size and temperature
- The distance
What two things affect gravitational pull?
Mass and Distance
Analyze how planetary formation leads to rocky vs. gaseous compositions.
x2pts
Rocky planets form closest to the sun due to increased heat and pressure causing the fusing of lighter elements to heavier ones. The gas planets are formed earlier because they are pushed out further due to their lighter composition.
A cube with density 2.5 g/cm³ and one side is 5 cm³. What is its mass?
312.5g
2.5x125
+50pts for units
Tori claims she will win more rounds than Max of a card‑strategy game. Results: Tori, Max, Max.
4. Rewrite Tori’s hypothesis using an “If…, then…” statement.
5. Based on the results, is her hypothesis supported?
4) If Max and Tori plays a card game, then Tori will win the most.
5) Tori one 1/3 trials, therefore she is not the best.
How do temperature and size influence a star’s luminosity?
Hotter = brighter
Why does an object weigh less on the Moon than on Earth?
Because the moon has less gravity
Identify each state of matter based on how close particles are.
Closest: Solid
Middle: Liquid
Furthest: Gas
Melting wax is heated into a liquid; yeast causes bread dough to rise and release gas.
Identify the chemical and physical change in the prompt.
Physical: Wax melting
Chemical: Yeast bubbling
Three players—Apex, Blitz, and Echo—test who has the best reaction time.
Results in milliseconds (lower = better): Apex: 250, Blitz: 230, Echo: 240.
Critique Apex’s hypothesis: “I will have the fastest reaction time.”
Apex did not have the best reaction time because his was the slowest. More time=slower reaction.
Analyze how mass, composition, and age influence a star’s brightness.
Bigger mass = brighter
Heavier elements = brighter and bigger
Older Stars = Brighter
Describe the relationship between mass, distance, and gravity.
+ mass = +gravity
+ distance = - gravity
Use particle motion to classify the states of matter.
Solids: Vibrational
Liquids: Free Flowing
Gases: Wild and bouncing
Scenario:
A group of student‑scientists is designing an investigation to model how gravity, planetary composition, and orbital motion affect conditions for life on different planets. They build a scaled heliocentric model of a solar system, create density‑based planet prototypes using different states of matter, and test how mass, distance, and rotation speed influence gravitational force. They then form a hypothesis predicting which planet in their model would have the most Earth‑like conditions based on star brightness, apparent vs. absolute magnitude, and the tilt and revolution of each planet around the star. During the experiment, a piece of frozen “planet ice” melts (physical change), and a chemical reaction occurs when they test atmospheric samples.
Question:
Using the scenario above, identify the test variable, outcome variable, and at least two controlled variables, state a testable hypothesis, explain whether the solar system model is heliocentric or geocentric, determine how gravity and planet density influence the habitability predictions, describe how apparent vs. absolute magnitude of the star affects the warmth each planet receives, and classify which changes in the experiment are physical and which are chemical.
x 3
1. Test Variable (Independent Variable)
The factor the student‑scientists intentionally change:
2. Outcome Variable (Dependent Variable)
What they measure or observe as a result:
3. Controlled Variables
Any factors kept the same for fairness:
(Any two of these earn full credit.)
4. Testable Hypothesis
Examples vary, but must be testable and specific, such as:
5. Solar System Model Type
6. How Gravity and Density Influence Habitability
Gravity:
Density:
Together, these determine surface conditions and whether the planet can hold a stable atmosphere.
7. How Apparent vs. Absolute Magnitude of the Star Affects Warmth
Planets farther away receive less light because apparent magnitude decreases with distance, even though absolute magnitude stays the same.
This affects planet temperature, energy received, and potential habitability.
8. Physical vs. Chemical Changes in the Scenario
Physical Change:
Chemical Change: