Earth/Space Science Semester 1 Exam Review

Why is a hypothesis important to a scientific investigation?

• Without a hypothesis, there is no way to tell if you did an experiment correctly.

• Without a hypothesis, you have no statement to tell you if your results are correct.

• Without a hypothesis, there is no way to tell if you have done enough research about the problem.

• Without a hypothesis, you have no statement to which you can compare your results to in order for you to determine what those results mean.

A science teacher asks his students to write a hypothesis, for an Earth science project, that clearly contains both an independent and dependent variable. Which statement meets these conditions?

• Water will erode the soil on a river bank.

• Sedimentary rocks will form around streams and rivers.

• Soil pH will increase as the amount of limestone in the soil increases.

• A rock that is mostly talc will have a low score on the Mohs hardness scale.

Recent scientific studies have shown that wind patterns and ocean storage of heat near Europe may be responsible for the mild winters of Western Europe.  This contradicts the long accepted theory that the Gulf Stream ocean current is responsible for this phenomenon.  What will be the consequences of this new evidence?

• This new evidence will immediately replace the original theory.

• This new evidence has no bearing on the well established theory.

• This new evidence will be ignored by the scientific community until it is proven by the original researchers.

• This new evidence will continue to be researched and the theory will change if this conclusion is repeatedly supported by evidence.

A classmate asserts that the continents and oceans have changed shape due to plate tectonics, which is a proven theory that cannot change.  Why is this classmate incorrect?

• Plate tectonics is a hypothesis, not a theory.

• The theory of plate tectonics applies only to the continents.

• The theory of plate tectonics can change with the discovery of new evidence.

• The theory of plate tectonics is a new theory that has not been supported by evidence.

Which of the following is NOT quantitative evidence that could be used to infer that the fiery exhaust of a rocket propels it into space?

• the speed at which the rocket lifts off

• the photographs of the rocket taken at lift off

• the temperature of the launch pad after lift off

• the amount of fuel consumed by the rocket during lift off

A student is seeking information on the effects of a chemical spray on a wildflower species. Which resource should the student use to scientifically determine the chemical’s effects?

• data from the company that produces the chemical

• data from a controlled experiment using the chemical on the wildflowers

• a website advertising the benefits of the chemical on controlling pests in gardens

• a video from an environmental group stating the chemical is harmful to wildflowers

Scientific advancements in the study of weather and climate patterns have led to improvements in the ability of scientists to predict hurricanes and their projected paths. What is one result of these advancements?

• more time to develop evacuation routes

• more time for people to prepare and evacuate

• more time for utility companies to purchase replacement equipment

• more time to study the environmental hazards caused by storm surges

Which of these questions could be answered by performing a scientific investigation?

• What is an electric car?

• Does wind speed affect the evaporation rate of water?

• Why do bacteria exist?

• Is water at 80° C too hot?

9. Ice core data provides atmospheric carbon dioxide levels spanning hundreds of thousands of years. The graph shows the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels over the past 400,000 years. The data below is taken from ice core samples. Which statement is an inference based on this graph?

• Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels follow a cyclic pattern.

• Current carbon dioxide level is over 380 parts per million.

• Carbon dioxide levels have increased due to recent human activity.

• Carbon dioxide levels have increased dramatically in the last 60 years.

Which question can best be used to evaluate the reliability of a source of scientific information?

• Is the information from a popular newspaper?

• Is the source cited often in postings on the Internet?

• Is the investigation replicated by other scientists with similar results?

• Is the information consistent with the current knowledge of the subject?