Nature of Science

Using one or more of your senses to gather information is called

• Inferring

• Observing

• Predicting

• Hypothesizing

The steps commonly used by scientists in gathering information to test hypotheses and solve problems are called _____.

• scientific inquiry

• hypothesis

• scientific method

The variable that is changed by the scientist to test a hypothesis is called the _________________________ .

• dependent variable

• independent variable

• control

A process that uses observation and experimentation to gain knowledge about events in nature is _________________________.

• gravity

• scientific method

• science

Which of the following is a scientific observation? 

• The potato is brown in color.
• The potato tastes the best.
• The potato may cause allergies.
• The potato smells funny. 

The name of the information that you get from your experiment (you organize it into charts and graphs).

• observations

  conclusion

• data

• variables

• hypothesis

A well-tested explanation for a wide range of observations or experimental results is called this.

• scientific model
• scientific method
• scientific theory
• scientific law

Nico decided to test goldfish food to see which brand his goldfish preferred. He bought three different brands (Fresh, Sprinkles, and Flakes). Nico decided that all brands needed to be tested by the same goldfish and fed the same amount. Nico measured the amount of fish food that was eaten by his goldfish. The INDEPENDENT variable in Nico's experiment is

• amount of fish food eaten

• the same goldfish

• the brand of fish food

• none of these are an INDEPENDENT variable

What would the INDEPENDENT variable be in this experiment testing paper vs. construction paper: Does the type of paper an airplane is made of affect how far the airplane will fly?

• the type of paper used

• the model of paper airplane

• the distance of each plane's flight

• how hard the plane is thrown

Ms. Smith set up an experiment to see how the mass of a ball affects the distance it rolls off a ramp. What is the dependent variable?

• Distance traveled by the ball

• Height of the ramp

• Mass of the ball

• Where the experiment took place.