Scientific Knowledge and Investigations

Which statement describes how a scientist makes scientific explanations?

• A scientist bases scientific explanations on a large body of observations of the world.

• A scientist bases scientific explanations only on other scientists’ opinions.

• A scientist bases scientific explanations on personal experience and opinions.

• A scientist suggests scientific explanations and makes up evidence to make them true.

Which of these answers best describes a scientific theory?

• an explanation based on the opinion of a scientist

• a well-supported and widely accepted explanation of nature

• a description of a specific relationship under given conditions

• a statement describing what always happens under certain conditions

Which of these answers describes a scientific law?

• an interesting idea based on various scientific opinions

• a well-supported and widely accepted explanation of nature

• a specific relationship under given conditions in the natural world

• an explanation of how particular events happen in the natural world

Which of the following is a characteristic of both scientific laws and theories?

• based on scientific evidence

• explain natural phenomena

• based on opinions of scientists

• not subject to change

Which of these scientists would most likely engage in fieldwork to observe LIVING organisms?

• chemist

• biologist

• physicist

• mathematician

A chemist wants to examine specific chemical reactions and isolate certain products using a controlled experiment. How would the chemist perform this experiment?

• in a laboratory

• out in the field

• by performing a survey

• by making it up

The figure below shows three atomic models developed over time.

• The atomic model has not changed over time.

• As scientists learned more and got new evidence, they modified/updated the atomic model.

• Scientists are still debating which of the three theories is right.

Two scientists have different ideas about a scientific concept. What might they do to resolve their differences?

• Debate their ideas using evidence they have gathered through observation and research.

• Remain silent and hope someone will come up with confirmation for one side or another

• Each will only discuss the idea with people they know will agree with it

• Each will agree that the other is correct in order to remain friends.

Kathleen made the diagram below to show how scientific knowledge changes over time. Which word or phrase best describes what scientists would do at the point indicated by the blank?

• debate the change

• change the data

• propose a law

Which of these statements best describes how scientific ideas change?

• New evidence leads to modification or update of ideas.

• Scientific ideas rarely change, because they are based on extensive evidence.

• As a scientific idea changes, it eventually becomes a scientific theory and then a law.

• Scientists form opinions based on evidence and decide how the idea should change.