Scientific Method in Earth Science

Multiple Choice

In order to formulate your hypothesis, you must do what first?

• Communicate your findings

• Draw conclusions

• Ask a question

• Run an experiment

Multiple Choice

Which variable do scientists manipulate in an experiment?

• Dependent

• Independent

• Constant

Multiple Choice

Which axis is the dependent variable placed on a graph?

• X-Axis

• Y-Axis

• Z-Axis

Multiple Choice

How many kilometers are in 5000 meters?

• 0.5

• 5

• 50

• 500

Multiple Choice

How many centimeters are in 4 meters?

• 0.4

• 4

• 40

• 400

Multiple Choice

One step in determining the metal content of a ring is to find the volume of the ring. Using the displacement method, what is the volume of this ring?

• 1.7 mL

• 3.0 mL

• 4.7 mL

• 7.1 mL

Multiple Choice

Which of the following puts the steps of a scientific experiment in the correct order?

• 2, 1, 3, 4

• 4, 2, 3, 1

• 2, 1, 4, 3

• 2, 3, 1, 4

Multiple Choice

A student set up an experiment to test the effects of soil compaction on plant growth. The student put equal weights of moist soil into 10 containers, planted a bean seed one inch deep in each container, and then firmly compacted the soil in 5 of the containers. After the seeds sprouted, the student measured the height of each plant every day and kept a record of the results. What else must the student do over time to ensure a valid experiment?

• Water any container in which the soil feels dry

• Water all of the containers the same amount and at the same time

• Water any of the plants that seem to be growing more slowly than the others

• Water the plants in compacted soil more

  than those in uncompacted soil

Multiple Choice

A student found the rock shown here and weighed it to determine its mass.

What steps should the student take to find its density?

• Determine its volume by how much water it displaces, then divide mass by volume.

• Determine its volume by multiplying length x width x height, the divide mass by volume.

• Crush the rock to a powder and measure its volume in a graduated cylinder, then divide mass by volume.

• Determine its volume using the formula for the volume of a sphere (V = 4/3r3), then divide mass by volume.