Nature of Science

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

• A scientific law explains what happens(rule), while a scientific theory explains why something happens

• A scientific law explains why something happens, while a scientific theory explains what happens

• A scientific theory explains what happens(rule), while a scientific law explains why something happens

• Both scientific theories and scientific laws explain why something happens

Which step, when solving a problem, involves making an inference based on reasoning and observations?

• Present results

• Perform the experiment/collect data

• Form hypothesis

• Analyze the data

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-2

NGSS.HS-LS1-6

 

At one point in time, many people thought disease was caused by fate or by incorrect behavior. Following the invention of the microscope, bacteria were discovered. After this, a new theory of what causes disease arose that was known as the germ theory.  Why was the original theory modified? 

• It quickly became obvious that germs cause disease.

• The person who invented the microscope became ill.

• New evidence prompted revision to the original ideas.

• The original theory was modified due to heavy political influence.

Jane Goodall spent years with the chimpanzees of Gombe. Sitting quietly for hours, she watched the animals closely and took notes about their behavior.  What was Jane Goodall doing?

• Testing Variables

• Making Observations

• Watching a Control Group

• Creating a Theory/Law

• Making an Inference

Which of the following statements about a controlled experiment is true?

• All variables must be kept the same.

• You should only test one variable at a time.

• Controlled experiments must be completed within a lab.

• The whole purpose of experiments is to prove your hypothesis was right. We collect data to support our hypothesis.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-5

Explains something we see in the natural world that has been verified through repeated experiments or testing.

• hypothesis

• law

• theory

• Inference

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-2

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS2-4

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

This variable is the one thing that changed on purpose...

• Dependent Variable

• Control

• Independent Variable

What is the DEPENDENT variable (effect) in this experiment?

"Does eating breakfast improve test scores?"

• eating breakfast or not

• the grade you got on the test

• what time you get up in the morning

• how tasty the breakfast is

You are testing how the amount you water a plant affects its growth. What would be the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE in this experiment.

• They type of pot you put the plants in.

• The amount you water each plant.

• The amount of sunlight the plants get.

• The amount the plant grows.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

What are the constant variables?

• what we are changing or testing

• what we are observing or measuring

• what we keep the same to make the experiment fair