Nature of science

Which of the following is true about a scientific theory?

• a scientific theory is an explanation

• scientific theories will eventually become scientific laws

• scientific theories are not supported by evidence

• scientific theories are usually rejected because they are only theories

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

• Theories and laws are the same thing: there is no difference.

• A theory will eventually become a law after a long period of time.

• A theory is an explanation of the natural world and a law is a description of the natural world.

• Theories and laws switch back and forth depending on the situation.

Which of the following best describes a hypothesis?

• A hypothesis is an educated guess to a parent's question.

• A hypothesis is the probability an event will occur such as winning the lottery.

• A hypothesis is a prediction about what will happen based on observations and evidence.

• A hypothesis occurs when you fall into freezing water and become very, very cold.

Laboratory experiments allow scientists to make precise observations. Which of the following is NOT and observation made in a laboratory experiment?

• making observations about the effect of fertilizer on plants growing in the lab

• comparing the colors of flowers grown in an experiment

• measuring the growth of plants exposed to different amounts of sunlight

• counting the human population in the State of Florida

Which choice is an independent variable?

• measuring the distance a student can jump in meters

• counting the number of ants in population

• measuring the lengths of students' hair

• providing different levels of sunlight to plants in an experiment

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Why should an experiment be repeated?

• to form a hypothesis
• to reduce the chance of error
• to change controls
• to identify the problem

How many independent variables should be tested at a time in a scientific investigation?

• none
• one
• two
• three

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

A visual display of data or information

• model

• graph

• photograph

• percentages

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

A graph that shows information as parts of a circle is a _____

• line graph

• circle graph

• bar graph

• stem and plot graph

How many students take the bus to school?

• 35

• 20

• 10

• 15