Generation Genius-What is Science?

What is the main goal of science?

• To memorize scientific laws

• To create new technologies

• To prove all theories as facts

• To identify patterns in the natural world and explain them

Answer explanation

The main goal of science is to identify patterns in the natural world and explain them. This involves observation, experimentation, and analysis, rather than merely memorizing laws or proving theories as facts.

Which of the following is NOT a science and engineering practice?

• Asking Questions and Defining Problems

• Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

• Memorizing Scientific Facts

• Developing and Using Models

Answer explanation

Memorizing Scientific Facts is not a science and engineering practice. The other options involve active engagement in the scientific process, such as asking questions, planning investigations, and developing models.

Why do scientists use models?

• To avoid using mathematics

• To replace experiments

• To ensure all experiments are successful

• To make sense of their investigations and communicate ideas

Answer explanation

Scientists use models to make sense of their investigations and communicate ideas effectively. Models help simplify complex systems, allowing for better understanding and sharing of scientific concepts.

Abigail is conducting an experiment to understand why plants grow towards light. What is a hypothesis she might form?

• A random guess about nature

• A detailed scientific law

• A proven scientific fact

• A proposed, testable explanation for something in nature

Answer explanation

A hypothesis is a proposed, testable explanation for something in nature, which fits Abigail's goal of understanding why plants grow towards light. The other options do not accurately describe a hypothesis.

How do scientists collect evidence?

• Through carefully planned investigations

• By reading old books

• By guessing

• By asking friends

Answer explanation

Scientists collect evidence through carefully planned investigations, which involve systematic observation, experimentation, and analysis. This method ensures reliable and valid results, unlike guessing or informal sources.

What is the difference between a theory and a law?

• A theory is always true, a law is sometimes true

• A theory is a guess, a law is a fact

• A theory is written by scientists, a law is written by the government

• A theory explains why something happens, a law describes what happens

Answer explanation

The correct choice states that a theory explains why something happens, while a law describes what happens. This highlights the distinction between the explanatory nature of theories and the descriptive nature of laws in science.

Arjun is conducting an experiment to understand the growth of plants. He uses mathematics to analyze the data collected from different variables like sunlight, water, and soil type. The role of mathematics in Arjun's experiment is (a)  

• To show relationships between different variables
• To replace experiments

• To avoid using models

• To make science more difficult

Answer explanation

The correct choice, 'To show relationships between diffe', highlights how mathematics helps Arjun analyze data and understand how variables like sunlight, water, and soil type interact in plant growth.

Why do scientific ideas sometimes change?

• Because laws are rewritten

• Because new evidence is discovered

• Because old ideas are always wrong

• Because scientists get bored

Answer explanation

Scientific ideas change primarily because new evidence is discovered. This evidence can challenge existing theories, leading to revisions or replacements of those ideas, while old ideas are not necessarily always wrong.

An observation in science is (a)  

• A proven scientific fact

• A detailed scientific law

• A random guess about an experiment

• The process of collecting data through measurement

Answer explanation

An observation in science refers to the process of collecting data through careful measurement and analysis, which is essential for forming hypotheses and drawing conclusions.

Scarlett is conducting a science experiment. What makes a good scientific question for her experiment?

• It is based on opinions

• It has no answer

• It can be answered using evidence

• It is very easy to answer

Answer explanation

A good scientific question can be answered using evidence, allowing for experimentation and observation. This approach leads to reliable conclusions, unlike questions based on opinions or those that have no answer.