Nature of Science Review

Michaela is conducting an experiment to test the speed of toy cars on different surfaces. For each trial, she uses a ramp covered in a different substance. Michaela uses a different type of car for each trial to make sure it is free from any materials from the previous trial. Michaela measures the distance traveled and time of each car. Which of the following is a change Michaela should make in her investigation in order to achieve more valid results?

• Michaela should measure the force each car exerts on each surface.

• Michaela should measure the direction in which the cars are traveling.

• Michaela should use the same material for each trial of her investigation.

• Michaela should use the same type of car for each trial of her investigation.

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Which statement best describes the use of replication to verify the results of a scientific discovery?

• Several scientists observe one scientist conduct experiments and compare their notes on the results obtained.

• One scientist repeats the same experiment multiple times and compares the results obtained.

• One scientist performs several different experiments and compares the results obtained.

• Several scientists perform the same experiment separately and compare their results with the original experiment results.

Why would observing two types of cells under a microscope not be considered a scientific experiment?

• Because it requires the use of an expensive piece of equipment

• Because there are no controls or variables to test using this protocol

• Because it involves using just part of the organism instead of the entire thing

• Because it forces the scientist to record data in visual form instead of numerical

 

Janet and Ahmad are both doing a science project about growing grass. They both sprinkle grass seed on a box of soil 10 cm by 15 cm by 5 cm deep. They plant their grass seed on the same day. They water the seeds with 50 mL of water every other day. After four days, the grass seed sprouts. After three weeks, Ahmad’s grass is 2 cm taller than Janet’s.What might account for the difference in growth rates between Janet's and Ahmad's grass seed sprouts?

• Ahmad watered the seeds with more water.

• Ahmad's box of soil was larger.

• Ahmad's grass seed sprouts received more sunlight.

• Janet's grass seed sprouts were a different type of grass.

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A biologist studies living or once-living organisms. When a biologist thinks he has discovered a new plant, he classifies it. What method is he most likely to use to in his pursuit of scientific explanation?

• He uses experimentation.

• He plants it and observes the growth.

• He compares its traits to other plants he knows.

• He measures it and draws a bar graph for its different parts.

Which method do geologists use to explain how mountains form that involves scientific explanations about how Earth's shape changes over time?

• Geologists make maps of current mountain ranges

• Geologists create new mountain ranges under the ocean.

• Geologists observe the formation of new mountain ranges each year.

• Geologists use models to show what happens to the Earth when mountains are formed.

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Scientists use empirical evidence to determine the age of objects, such as this fossilized tree trunk. Which of the following would NOT be considered empirical evidence when determining the age of a fossilized tree trunk?

• The depth at which a fossil is uncovered indicates its age.

• The amount of carbon-14 in a rock tells how old a tree’s fossil is.

• The number of rings in a tree’s trunk shows how many years old it is.

• A scientist sees that the tree has fallen and assumes that it is 10,000 years old

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Which step in the diagram below would include observation and collection of data?

• As part of “ask a question”

• As part of “construct a hypothesis”

• As part of “test your hypothesis by doing an experiment”

• As part of “analyze your data and draw a conclusion.”

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Kedrick says that he has a theory about why his brother oversleeps every day. His theory is that his brother stays up too late playing video games. How is Kedrick’s theory different from a scientific theory?

• Kedrick’s theory explains something.

• Kedrick’s theory was based on logical reasoning.

• Kedrick made observations before forming his theory.

• Kedrick’s theory was not based on observations or data.

In the mid-1800s, an Irish engineer named Robert Mallet believed that earthquakes were caused by waves. He modeled earthquakes by setting off gunpowder charges buried in sand. He then measured the velocity of the waves caused by the explosions. The measuring instruments were placed 0.8 km from the explosives.  Which of the following was a limitation of Robert Mallet's model for modeling earthquakes?

• His model did not place the epicenter at a distance.

• His model did not measure the speed of the waves.

• His model did not measure the effects of an earthquake on a building.

• His model did not measure how fast waves traveled through different types of rock.

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