Nature of Science Practice

Controlled scientific experiments include variables. One kind of variable is a independent (test) variable and the other kind is a dependant (outcome) variable. Which statement describes the difference between an independent and dependent variable?

• The outcome variable does not change and the test variable does change.

• The test variable does not change and the outcome variable does not change.

• The dependent variable is the control and the independent variable is the result.

• The independent variable does change and the dependent variable provides the results, which are measured to gather data.

A science class was investigating how far a ball could be thrown. The table below shows their results. Based on the class’s data, how can they improve the accuracy of the investigation?

• Average the data to account for the short distance in trial 4.

• Do more trials.

• Omit trial 4 from the data.

• Use a different ball.

During a class project, Felicia makes a poster to compare scientific laws and scientific theories. Which of the following statements should Felicia include on her poster to summarize the difference between scientific laws and scientific theories?

• Scientific theories require scientific evidence and scientific laws do not.

• Scientific theories explain why something happens, and scientific laws describe what happens.

• Scientific theories are based on observation, and scientific laws are based on opinions.

• Scientific laws are frequently modified, but scientific theories are rarely changed as new information becomes available.

Scientists use different types of tools to investigate how and why things happen. Here are some examples of these tools: a diagram of a food chain in the Everglades, a plastic replica of the human digestive system, a mathematical equation for finding the speed of an object. Which word describes all of these examples?

• hypothesis

• experiment

• model

• observation

University of Florida scientists developed a new vaccine that can help prevent Covid-19. What is a conclusion that you can make from this information?

• Scientists often respond to the needs in our society.

• Scientific discoveries are always made in the field of technology.

• Scientific advances are always made in the field of medicine.

• Scientists may make discoveries that have no impact on society.

Dr. Simmons wants to make sure her scientific investigation is considered good. She knows that for an experiment to produce valid results, it must adhere to accepted methods. Which procedure would she NOT include as part of her valid scientific experiment?

• precise observations

• organized procedures

• controlled surroundings

• uncontrolled variables

Gemma wants to investigate the rain forest ecosystem of the Amazon jungle in South America. To conduct the experiment, Gemma uses plants, reptiles, and insects native to New Jersey, where she lives, to build a terrarium. Which limitation is true of Gemma’s experiment?

• It does not model the interaction of certain reptiles and plants.

• It does not model the interaction of certain insects and plants.

• It does not model the interaction of certain reptiles and insects.

• It does not model the exact conditions of nature in the Amazon.

Which sequence of events describes the STANDARD scientific method of investigation?

• experiment --> hypothesis --> analysis of data --> conclusion

• hypothesis --> experiment --> conclusion --> analysis of data

• analysis of data --> conclusion --> experiment --> hypothesis

• hypothesis --> experiment --> analysis of data --> conclusion

Scientists need to know how gravity acts on a space shuttle so they can put the space shuttle into orbit. They use an equation that describes how gravity relates to the mass of two objects and the distance between the two objects. Which term describes this equation?

• a model

• an observation

• a scientific law

• a scientific theory

Which statement best describes science?

• a study of natural events and conditions

• a collection of facts about nature and how it works

• a complete explanation of everything that happens in the universe

• a list of facts that all scientists agree to be true