Nature of science review

Name

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Natalie is using a three-dimensional representation to study the parts of the human heart. Isaiah is working in a laboratory to test the hypothesis that plants grow taller in green light than in white light. Which of the following best compares their activities?

• A. Natalie is conducting a scientific investigation, and Isaiah is not.
• B. Natalie is not conducting a scientific investigation, and Isaiah is.
• C. Natalie is conducting an experiment, and Isaiah is conducting a field study.
• D. Natalie is investigating a scientific model, and Isaiah is conducting an experiment.

Nicholas is conducting an investigation to determine how the number of turtles in a pond changes over several months. Which of the following would be the best way for Nicholas to organize and show his data?

• A. in a circle graph
• B. in a line graph
• C. in a bar graph
• D. in a diagram

Jacob conducted an investigation to determine the effect of acid on different types of rocks. He found that the data he collected do not support his hypothesis. Why would Jacob's hypothesis still have some value?

• A. It might lead to the development of new investigations.
• B. It demonstrates that Jacob needs more practice investigating.
• C. It might encourage Jacob to investigate the effect of bases instead.
• D. It shows that Jacob's investigation could have been better planned.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Dr. Rodriguez conducts an investigation to test her ideas about what causes tornadoes to form. She shares the results of the investigation with other scientists, who then replicate her investigation. Which of the following best explains why the other scientists do this?

• A. If they get different results, then they will know that Dr. Rodriguez's conclusions apply only to her region.
• B. If they get the same results, then they will know that Dr. Rodriguez's conclusions are most likely correct.
• C. If they conduct the same investigation, then they can publish an article in a scientific journal.
• D. If they conduct the same investigation, then they can share credit with Dr. Rodriguez.

There are many different fields of science, each with its own methods of investigation. In which field of science would a field study of volcanoes or other landforms most likely be conducted?

• A. biology
• B. chemistry
• C. geology
• D. physics

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-2

NGSS.MS-ESS2-3

When new evidence is gathered, scientific knowledge changes. Which of the following events describes a change in scientific knowledge based on new evidence?

• A. An astronomer reads about how a new telescope was developed.
• B. A biologist studies the work of other scientists on the virus HIV.
• C. A biologist learns how to use a new type of microscope.
• D. An astronomer using a telescope discovers a new star.

A scientist conducts an experiment on the structure of atoms. The results of the experiment seem to disprove parts of the accepted atomic theory. After the scientist publishes the results, other scientists conducting the same and similar experiments obtain similar results. Which of the following will most likely happen?

• A. The accepted atomic theory will be changed.
• B. The atomic theory will continue to be accepted as it is.
• C. The results of the new experiments will be disregarded.
• D. The accepted atomic theory will be completely discarded.

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NGSS.MS-PS1-1

NGSS.MS-PS1-5

Scientists develop theories and laws to help them understand the natural world. Which of the following statements best describes the theory of plate tectonics?

• A. It is based only on ideas, not evidence.
• B. It will never be changed even if new evidence is found.
• C. It is a rule that describes a certain relationship in nature.
• D. It is a well-supported explanation of related observations.

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

Scientists often replicate experiments to verify the findings. Which of the following is an example of replication?

• A. A scientist repeats another scientist's experiment on how sound waves travel.
• B. A scientist conducts three trials of her own experiment on the behavior.
• C. A scientist heats two different metals to compare the temperatures at which they melt.
• D. A scientist conducts a different experiment on heat after his first one does not support his hypothesis.