SSA Review (Laws, Theories, Hypotheses, & Models: Big Idea 3)

A scientist conducts an experiment on the structure of atoms. The results of the experiment seem to disprove parts of the accepted atomic theory. After the scientist publishes the results, other scientists conducting the same and similar experiments obtain similar results. Which of the following will most likely happen?

• The accepted atomic theory will be changed.

• The atomic theory will continue to be accepted as it is.

• The results of the new experiments will be disregarded.

• The accepted atomic theory will be completely discarded.

Scientists develop theories and laws to help them understand the natural world. Which of the following statements best describes the theory of plate tectonics?

• It is based only on ideas, not on evidence.

• It will never be changed even if new evidence is found.

• It is a rule that describes a certain relationship in nature.

• It is a well-supported explanation of related observations.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

Neon (Ne) is an element, one of many different kinds of matter that occur on Earth. The diagram shows a model of one atom of the element neon.

The diagram is one kind of scientific model. Which of the following is the main advantage of this model?

• It is the same size as the object it represents.

• It accurately shows all the parts of the object it represents.

• It represents a three-dimensional object on a flat piece of paper.

• It represents an object too small to be seen even with most microscopes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Luke has an idea that insects help cause thunderstorms. He calls his idea a theory. Trinity uses the cell theory to understand where bean plant cells come from. Trinity thinks that the cell theory is a scientific theory but that Luke's idea is not. How can Trinity best defend her conclusion?

• by demonstrating that the cell theory answers a question but Luke's idea does not

• by verifying that the cell theory applies to insects but Luke's idea does not apply to bean plants

• by demonstrating that the cell theory is supported by a large amount of data but Luke's idea is not

• by verifying that the cell theory was developed a long time ago and Luke's idea was developed recently

A scientific law describes something that is always true under certain conditions. A scientific theory explains a set of related observations. Both laws and theories are widely accepted ideas based on evidence. Which of the following ideas is a scientific theory?

• Energy can change from one form to another, but it cannot be created or destroyed.

• In undisturbed rock layers, older layers always lie under younger layers.

• Gravitational force attracts all objects in the universe toward each other.

• Living things developed from earlier species that changed over time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Two types of models that can be used to show details of the structures of cells are shown. Which of the following describes a limitation of the drawing but NOT the clay model?

• It does not represent the main parts of a cell.

• It does not contain the correct number of nuclei.

• It cannot represent a living cell, since a true cell is three-dimensional.

• It cannot represent a living cell, since the cytoplasm should be in constant motion.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-2

A timeline of some models of atoms throughout history is shown. These models have contributed to the formation of the atomic theory. Which statement best summarizes the development of the atomic theory over time?

• The discovery of new evidence resulted in changes to the atomic theory.

• Advancements in atomic models proved the atomic theory was accurate.

• The atomic theory was modified with the discovery of every new element.

• Changes in atomic models showed that the atomic theory was based on opinion.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

Scientists in all branches of science have developed scientific theories. Which of the following statements is true about all scientific theories?

• Scientific theories are not widely accepted when they are first developed.

• Scientific theories are based on large amounts of evidence.

• Scientific theories will become scientific laws if enough scientists support them.

• Scientific theories are based on the work of individual scientists.

Ryan used the model of the solar system in science class. What can Ryan NOT observe using this model?

• the path that the planets orbit the sun

• the composition of the planets

• the relative size of each planet

• the order of the planets from the Sun

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-3

Models can help answer some, but not all, scientific questions. Which of the following is the best example of a scientific model?

• A computer simulation of the surface of the Sun.

• A graph comparing the temperature of stars.

• A data table showing the number of stars visible over three nights.

• A painting of the nighttime sky.