What is Science?

What happens when scientists find new evidence that does NOT support something they are studying?

• They must use creativity to convince other scientists that the new evidence is wrong.

• They must use creativity to change or adjust their hypotheses to fit the new evidence.

• They must use creativity to find ways to make the new evidence fit their original explanations.

• They must use creativity to ignore new evidence that contradicts their original explanations.

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Read the passage "Microwaves" in the box below.

Percy Spencer was an engineer specializing in radar applications. One of his main pieces of equipment was a device called a magnetron, which emits radiation in the microwave frequency. One day, Percy Spencer noticed that the chocolate bar in his pocket had melted while he was working with the magnetron. Curious, he investigated and realized it was the magnetron that had melted his candy bar. After a lot of experimentation, Percy Spencer eventually designed and patented the microwave oven.

How did creativity help Spencer with his invention?

• It helped him create an explanation for his melted candy bar, then design a chocolate that would not melt near radar machines.

• It helped him create an explanation for his melted candy bar and design a way to benefit people with the information.

• It helped him come up with a make-believe story about how he discovered that microwaves can melt chocolate.

• It helped him take the credit for inventing the microwave from the people he worked with.

Heidi likes to spend her Sunday afternoons completing crossword puzzles, which involve a lot of thinking and figuring out answers. Is Heidi doing science?

• yes, because science is defined as the collection of various facts about the natural world

• no, because science uses evidence to form and test hypotheses about the natural world

• no, because crossword puzzles contain clues about subjects other than science

• yes, because crossword puzzles require guessing and solving similar to science

Read the passage "Inclines" in the box below.

Jordan was playing with a toy car and noticed that the car rolled faster when he placed it on an incline. Jordan predicted that the steeper the incline, the faster the car would roll. To test his prediction, Jordan set up several inclines of the same length but at various angles, and he timed how long it took his toy car to make it down each incline. After analyzing his observations, Jordan concluded that the steeper inclines did result in a faster speed of his toy car.

Which statement best describes what Jordan did?

• He created a scientific theory.

• He formulated a scientific law

• He formulated a scientific hypothesis.

• He created a scientific investigation.

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Ulysses is building a doghouse for his dog, Rolf. To build the doghouse, Ulysses must read the directions, think about how to put together his materials, and use math to figure out the total amount of materials he will need. Is Ulysses a scientist?

• no, because scientists formulate hypotheses, design experiments, and collect data

• yes, because the activity is similar to model building and problem solving

• yes, because the instructions are like the methods section of an experiment

• no, because scientists do not follow instructions without adding different variables

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The pictures above show the light bulb that Thomas Edison designed in 1880 and a modern light bulb found in 2014, which uses much less energy to operate. What does the change in Edison's design show about scientific knowledge?

• It shows that scientific knowledge is durable because Edison's design is still used with modification.

• It shows that a lot of scientific knowledge is incorrect because Edison's design has been changed.

• It shows that all scientific knowledge is temporary because it is challenged and changed so often.

• It shows that once scientific knowledge is accepted it is considered fact and is never tested again.

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What happens when new evidence does NOT support a scientific theory?

• The theory will be considered false and will not be used.

• The theory will remain, and the evidence will be discarded.

• The theory will remain, as science is not open to change.

• The theory will either be modified, or rejected.

The picture shows Pluto, which was once classified as a planet in our solar system. In 2006, a group of astronomers decided that it was not a planet because of its size and location in space, and classified it as a dwarf planet instead. What does the reclassification of Pluto show about scientific knowledge?

• that scientific knowledge is open to change when new interpretations are encountered

• that new advancements in technology will always alter current scientific knowledge

• that current scientific knowledge should be challenged and updated annually

• that scientific knowledge can always be altered by individual groups of scientists

The table shows several scientists, what they are popularly famous for, and their major hobbies outside of science. Based on the table, which statement can be inferred about scientists?

• They have a variety of interests and talents beyond science.

• They all play sports when not doing science.

• They spend all of their time doing science.

• They all want to be professional athletes.

The picture shows famous scientist Albert Einstein playing the violin. Einstein was well known for his musical skills, and he often played duets with physicist Max Planck. Based on this, what can be said about the interests of scientists?

• Scientists that contribute to scientific knowledge can have diverse talents and interests.

• Scientists that contribute to scientific knowledge have the same talents and interests.

• All important scientists have played musical instruments throughout their careers.

• Playing musical instruments use similar skills as doing science experiments.