Nature of Science Midterm Review

What is the difference between a scientific theory and a scientific law?

• Theories explain why something happens

• Theories cannot change

• Laws are subject to change

• Laws explain why something happens

What is the independent (test) variable?

• The variable you change

• The variable you do not change

• The variable you measure

• The variable that stays the same

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Rachel wanted so see which brand of popcorn had the shortest popping time. What is her independent (test) variable?

• Popping time

• Brand of popcorn

Rachel wanted so see which brand of popcorn had the shortest popping time. What is her dependent (outcome) variable?

• Popping time

• Brand of popcorn

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

Which is an example of repetition?

• Pour water down four inclined surfaces.

• Roll a marble down a ramp at a height of 10cm, 20cm & 30cm.

• Take the mass of five rocks separately and then determine the average.

• Conduct 4 trials counting the bubbles produced by a water plant.

Richard goes out daily and observes humpback whales in the ocean at the same location at the same time. He records his observations. What type of method of investigation is this?

• Creating models

• Repeated observations

• Controlled experiment

• Uncontrolled experiment

When conducting a controlled experiment, what will provide you with the most reliable data?

• Take measurements at the same time each week during the investigation

• Take measurements at different times and days during the investigation

• Take measurements at any time during the investigation

• Take measurements randomly during the investigation

Danielle & Shae conducted separate experiments on the effect of fertilizer on the amount of blooms on a rose bush. They got different results. Shae decided to follow Danielle's experimental procedures to see if she gets different results. What is she doing?

• Repeating the experiment

• Improving the experiment

• Replicating the experiment

• Disproving the experiment

Steve wants to test Shell gasoline to see if it gives better gas mileage than BP Gasoline. What is Steve's control group?

• No gasoline

• BP Gasoline

• Shell Gasoline

• A mixture of both gasolines

How do we gain knowledge in science?

• Various types of investigations and experiments

• Studying the work of famous scientists

• Only through controlled experiments

• Only through the scientific method

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5