FSSA Nature of Science 1

Tina and Kylie took different types of paper towels and cut them into equal sized strips. They put each strip in a 4 oz cup and poured water in each cup. After 2 minutes, they took out the strips and measured how much water was left. What variable did they forget to control?

• the amount of water poured into the container.

• the size of each paper towel

• the type of container

• the time of testing

A basic principle for scientific research is that the experiment must be able to be replicated. What happens when an experiment is replicated?

• A scientists publisher accepts the experimental results for publishing.

• No one in the scientific community agrees with the methods or results.

• Other scientists perform the same experiment and get comparable results.

• The scientific researcher performs the experiment many times and gets the same results.

Which of the following is a hypothesis?

• If a person swims directly after eating, then the person will develop cramps.

• Purple is the best color.

• I have an A in science class.

• Based on the data, the more surface area the faster it will dissolve

Which of the following best explains a theory?

• It is based on evidence, it cannot change

• It is a guess, there isn't enough evidence

• It can change with the discovery of new evidence

• Once it gets enough evidence, it will become a law.

A scientist is experimenting to see how the amount of salt in water affects marine aquatic plants. Which of the following variables should the scientist change to observe a change in the outcome (dependent) variable?

• the depth of the water

• the temperature of the water

• the amount of salt in the water

• the number of plants in the water