SSA Review

Newton’s third law of motion states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. How does this law differ from a theory?

• A theory explains a set of well tested observations; a law describes a pattern in nature.
• Laws can be changed with the addition of new evidence but theories cannot.
• A law explains a pattern in nature in more detail than a theory. 
• Theories are based on more evidence than laws.

The theory of plate tectonics states that Earth’s crust is made of sections that move. Which of the following is NOT evidence that can be used to support the theory of plate tectonics?

• The sea floor is spreading apart from mid-ocean rifts.
• Mountains push up where two plates bump into each other.
• The same species of bird is found in North America and South America.
• The continents look as if they fit together like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.

Joe tells Mai his theory about why sea turtles nest on the beach instead of in the ocean. He says, “The turtle eggs would sink to the bottom of the ocean, and the baby turtles would drown.” Joe says his uncle is a fisherman, who told Joe this information. Mai tells Joe that his theory is not scientific. Which explanation supports Mai’s evaluation of Joe’s theory?

• Joe’s idea is already a scientific law. 
• Joe’s idea is not supported by scientific evidence. 
• Joe’s idea is a good guess that can be tested by experiments. 
• Joe’s idea accurately explains why sea turtles nest on the beach. 

What is one benefit of scientific models?

• They help us understand things we cannot normally see

• They make experiments more complicated

• They provide accurate details of scientific phenomena

• They simplify complex concepts

What is one limitation of scientific models?

• They are always accurate representations

• They cannot explain every detail of scientific phenomena

• They are too complex to understand

• They are only used in physical models

You want to see how different surfaces affect how high a tennis ball can bounce. What is the independent variable?

• the different surfaces

• using the same ball

• how high they bounce

What is a constant (or control) in an experiment?

• Things that DO NOT change in a experiment. You can have many variables stay the same.

• It's the variables that the scientist CHANGES in the experiment.

• It's the variables that are being MEASURED in an experiment.

A testable educated guess to a scientific question

• Question

• Hypothesis

• Conclusion

• Experiment

A dependent (responding) variable is __________.

• What is measured in an experiment

• What you change in an experiment

• A prediction about an experiment

• What stays the same in an experiment

When a another scientist does someone's experiment to see if the results are valid?

• repetition
• replication
• experimental method
• controlled variable