Scientific Method

What are constants in an experiment?

• things in an experiment that change

• things in an experiment that don't change

• the number of repeated trials

• the tools used in an experiment

Which of the following is a testable hypothesis that you could prove correct in an experiment?

• Powders dissolve more easily in hot water than in cool water

• Superman is better looking than Batman

• Butterflies are very pretty

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Scientists repeat experiments in the exact same way several times. These repetitions are called:

• extrapolation

• hypothesis

• repeated trials

• predictions

A student is preparing to conduct an experiment with an electromagnet. His hypothesis is: If I increase the number of times I wrap the wire around the nail, my magnet will grow stronger and pick up more paperclips.

What is the independent variable?

• the voltage of the current

• the number of times the wire is wrapped around the nail

• the direction of the current flow

• the number of pins picked up

A student is preparing to conduct an experiment with an electromagnet. His hypothesis is: If I increase the number of times I wrap the wire round the nail, my magnet will grow stronger and pick up more paperclips.

From the items below, choose the constants? (could be more than one)

• the length of the wire

• the number or turns of the wire around the nail

• the battery voltage

• the size of the nail

An experiment is being done to determine how light affects the growth of small zinnia plants. One plant is placed in full sunlight, the second in a shaded area, the third in an unlit closet. What is the independent variable in the experiment?

• the type of plants

• the amount of light

• the growth of the plant

• the type of soil

• the length of the experiment

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

An experiment is being done to determine how light affects the growth of small zinnia plants. One plant is placed in full sunlight, the second in a shaded area, the third in an unlit closet.

When conducting this experiment, which of the following procedures should be followed? (Choose all that apply)

• 3 different types of plants should be used

• the plants should be in the same size pots

• the same type and amount of soil should be used in each pot

• 3 plants of the same size and type should be used

• the experiment should be conducted more than once (repeated trials)

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

An experiment is being done to determine how light affects the growth of small zinnia plants. One plant is placed in full sunlight, the second in a shaded area, the third in an unlit closet.

The hypothesis of this experiment could be:

• Plants grow differently under different conditions

• If a zinnia plant is placed in direct sunlight, it will grow taller than similar plants given little or no sunlight

• Many things, including sunlight, affect the growth of a plant

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

The constants in my plant experiment are:

(Choose all that apply)

• the amount of sunlight

• the type of pot used

• the type of soil used

• the amount of water given to the plant

• the size and type of plants used

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Good experiments have more than one independent variable.

• True

• False

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2