Nature of Science Review

In a controlled experiment, which is the variable that the scientist changes?

• Control

• Independent Variable

• Dependent Variable

• Constant

What skill is a scientist using when she listens to the sounds that whales makes?

• Making Observations

• Interpreting Data

• Making a Hypothesis

• Drawing Conclusions

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-8

An investigation was designed to determine the effect of ultraviolet light on mold spore growth. Two groups of mold spores were grown under identical conditions, except one group was exposed only to ultraviolet light, while the other group was grown in total darkness. In this investigation, the group of mold spores grown without receiving any ultraviolet light is known as the

• Experimental Group

• Control Group

• Independent Variable

• Dependent Variable

Which is included in the definition of a scientific theory?

• a well tested explanation of natural events

  
  

• a statement of what most people believe to be true

  
  

• a description of natural events based on casual observations

  
  

• a conclusion agreed upon by people without experimentation

  
  

What is the correct order of the steps in the scientific method?

• Make a hypothesis, test the hypothesis, analyze the results, ask a question, draw conclusions, communicate results.

  
  

• Ask questions, make a hypothesis, test the hypothesis, analyze results, draw conclusions, communicate results

  
  

• Ask a question, make a hypothesis, test hypothesis, draw conclusions, analyze results, communicate results.

  
  

• Ask a question, analyze results, make a hypothesis, test the hypothesis, draw conclusions, communicate results.

  
  

A scientist set up an experiment to see how vinegar affects plant growth. Five seed pots received a small amount of vinegar in the soil and were placed in the sunlight. Another five pots received no vinegar and were placed in the shade. The scientist grew the seedlings for two months. Which explains why her experiment was not set up properly?

• More than one variable was changed.

  
  

• She did not have a control.

  
  

• She did not grow the plants long enough.

  
  

• Vinegar should not be used on plants.

  
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

A scientist conducted an experiment to determine how the amount of salt in a body of water affects the number of plants that can live in the water. In this experiment the independent variable is

• the number of plants in the water

  
  

• the water

  
  

• the temperature of the water

  
  

• the amount of salt in the water

  
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

All the things in an experiment that must be the same to make it fair are called

• controlled experiments

  
  

• controlled variables or constants

  
  

• independent variables

  
  

• dependent variables

  
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

In an experiment, the factor that we measure at the end is called the

• conclusion

• independent variable

• dependent variable

  
  

• controlled variable

  
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

A scientist hypothesizes that the temperature at which an alligator's egg is incubated will determine whether the alligator will be male or female. The independent variable is

• the gender of the alligator

  
  

• the male alligator

• the incubator

  
  

• the temperature

  
  

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5