Scientific Concepts Flashcards

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Scientific Theory vs. Scientific Law

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Scientific theory explains why phenomena occur, while scientific law describes how phenomena occur.

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Quantitative Data vs. Qualitative Data

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Quantitative data is numerical, while qualitative data is descriptive.

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Inference

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A guess reached based on evidence, prior experience, and reasoning.

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Observation

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Uses your 5 senses in order to observe to describe something

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Independent Variable

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The variable that is changed or controlled in a scientific experiment.

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Dependent Variable

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The variable being tested and measured in a scientific experiment.

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Prediction

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A statement about what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence.

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Hypothesis

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A proposed explanation for a phenomenon, to be tested scientifically.

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Conclusion

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A summary of the results of an experiment, stating whether the hypothesis was supported.

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Controls

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The elements that are kept constant and unchanged throughout the experiment.