Scientific Practices & Experiments

A scientist comes up with a testable explanation to a problem about plant growth that has not yet been tested. 

• data

• theory

• hypothesis

• fact

Choose the correctly written hypothesis for "What is the effect of putting Pam Cooking Spray on the bottom of a sled?"

• I think the sled will slide faster.

• If I put Pam Cooking Spray on the bottom of my sled, then I will win the race."

• If I put Pam Cooking Spray on the bottom of my sled, then I will slide faster.

The process of gathering information through the senses is called _____.

• Inferring

• Observation

• Conclusion

• Analyzing

This variable in an experiment is the one being changed by the scientist. 

• dependent variable
• independent variable
• data
• control group

The variable that is observed or measured to see if the independant varable caused change is called...

• Qualatative Data

• Experimental Group

• Dependent Variable

• Define the Question

The group that DOES NOT receive the experimental treatment.

• Control Group

• Experimental Group

• Party Group

• Sad Group

A student wants to test the effects of type of exercise on heart rate.  What is the dependent variable?

• heart rate
• type of exercise
• amount of exercise
• time of day exercise occurs

An experiment is performed on plants to see how different liquids affect plant growth. Each plant in the experiment is given a different liquid; water, apple juice, or milk. Each plant has the same amount of soil, sunlight, and listens to the same music. In this investigation, what is the dependent variable?

• Type of plant
• Water, apple juice, milk
• Plant growth

Mr. S. normally uses praise as a reward to train his dog.  He wants to know the best way to train his dog, so he sets up an experiment to find out if there is a better way to get his dog to respond to commands. What is his independent variable?

• amount of times the dog follows the command
• type of reward
•  praise
• type of dog

The librarians want to know which students are checking out what types of books. They are testing "Which type of book do 7th graders check out most often: fiction or nonfiction?" The number of checked out books is

• the independent variable
• the dependent variable
• a constant variable
• a waste of money