Nature of Science Test

Scientists often form a hypothesis, a hypothesis is an attempt to explain an observation. Which of the following is an example of a person who is not a scientist but is still forming a hypothesis?

• a baker who thinks that a cake did not turn out well because the oven temperature was too hot

• a reporter searching for facts

• a detective who identifies a suspect based on collected evidence

• a science teacher correcting a test

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-5

Which of the following is a good way to show how data changes over time?

• a line graph

• a circle graph

• a stem and leaf plot

• a box and whisker plot

Which of the following would be the outcome variable (dependent variable) for the following research question? How does the color of dye (food coloring) affect the time it takes for a drop of dye to completely spread out?

• the brand of food coloring

• the time for the dye to spread out

• the shape of the container

• the mass of water

A scientific theory is

• the same as a fact

• a rule describing a pattern in nature

• an untested idea

• generally accepted to be true

The factor that is CHANGED by the investigator to observe how it affects an outcome (dependent) variable is called the

• outcome variable (dependent)

• test/independent variable

• control

• data collection

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

A scientific law is

• describes a pattern in nature that is ALWAYS true

• laws scientists need to follow to perform science correctly

• the steps scientists follow to investigate our natural world

• an explanation of observations or events gained through many observations and investigations

A hypothesis is a/an

• prediction about what might occur during a future event

• correct explanation for an observation that can be tested during scientific investigations (or experiments)

• possible explanation for an observation that can be tested during a scientific investigation (or experiment)

• the results of the data collection from a scientific investigation

There is a pond behind Luke's house. He decides to see how the water temperature changes depending on the depth of the water. Which is the outcome (dependent) variable

• temperature

• depth

• both a and b

• neither a nor b

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Explaining or interpreting the things you observe based on reasoning from what you already know is called....

• observing

• inferring

• predicting

• classifying

The turtle ate 100 grams of lettuce is an example of what type of data?

• quantitative

• qualitative