SC.8.N.1.1 Quiz- Review Stations

Students swung three pendulums of different lengths back and forth ten times and recorded the finish times of each. Which of the following describes the “type of string” used in the experiment?

• Control group

• Control (constant) variable

• Test (independent) variable

• Outcome (dependent) variable

Answer explanation

The type of string used in the experiment is a control (constant) variable because it remains unchanged throughout the trials, ensuring that any differences in finish times are due to the pendulum lengths, not the string.

The following statements were taken from the procedures of four different investigations. Which of the investigation statements describes the process of repetition?

• Investigation 1

• Investigation 2

• Investigation 3

• Investigation 4

Answer explanation

Investigation 4 describes the process of repetition, which involves conducting the same experiment multiple times to verify results. This is essential for ensuring reliability and accuracy in scientific investigations.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-4

The temperature of an ice-filled beaker is measured and recorded every minute as the beaker is heated continuously. The resulting temperature and time data are shown in the following graph. Which of the statements below provide the best interpretation of the information in the graph?

• The temperature of water constantly increased with time.

• The greatest increase in temperature took place between points 2 and 3.

• The greatest increase in temperature took place between points 4 and 5.

• The temperature of the water remained constant the longest between points 1 and 2.

Answer explanation

The graph shows a significant temperature rise between points 2 and 3, indicating the greatest increase in temperature occurred during this interval, making this statement the best interpretation of the data.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Below is a timeline of how the model of the atom changed throughout history. These models have contributed to the formation of current atomic theory. Which statement best summarizes the development of current atomic theory?

• The discovery of new evidence resulted in changes to the atomic theory.

• Advancements in atomic models proved that previous atomic theory was inaccurate.

• Changes in atomic models showed that previous atomic theory was based on opinion.

• The atomic theory was modified using the same information that established the previous theories.

Answer explanation

The correct choice highlights that new evidence led to modifications in atomic theory, reflecting the scientific process of refining theories based on discoveries, rather than simply proving previous theories wrong.

Colleen waters the plants in her greenhouse once every day. She wants to find out if the plants will grow more leaves if they are watered more often. She counts the number of leaves on each plant before she starts. She then continues to water half of the plants once daily, but she waters the other half twice a day. What is the outcome variable (dependent variable) in Colleen's experiment?

• The type of plant being grown

• The number of leaves the plants grow

• The amount of light the plants receive

• The number of times the plants are watered

Answer explanation

The outcome variable in Colleen's experiment is the number of leaves the plants grow, as it measures the effect of different watering frequencies on plant growth.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

Refer to the graph below. Data shown on the graph was collected during an investigation that studied the relationship between the age in years of teens and the number of teens with cell phones.

What is the outcome variable (dependent variable) in the investigation?

• Age in years of teens

• Number of teens with cell phones

• Total number of teens in Smalltown

• Total number of cell phones in Smalltown

Answer explanation

The outcome variable (dependent variable) is what is measured in the investigation. Here, the number of teens with cell phones is measured based on their age, making it the dependent variable.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

The graph below shows the relationship between the age in years of teens with the number of teens who have cell phones in Smalltown.

Based on the graph, which of the following is true?

• A. The number of teens with cell phones is the lowest at age 18.

• B. The number of teens with cell phones decreases as age increases.

• C. The number of teens with cell phones increases from ages 13 to 17.

• D. The number of teens with cell phones remains the same from ages 13 to 16.

Answer explanation

The graph shows that the number of teens with cell phones increases from ages 13 to 17, making option C correct. The other options do not accurately reflect the trends shown in the graph.

Dr. Jordan makes a discovery and publishes the results for other scientists to read. Dr. Keisha tries to repeat the experiment and cannot make it work. Her results are also published. This prompts Dr. Jordan to review his experimental results again and finds that his discovery only works under certain conditions. He publishes the change. Dr. Keisha repeats the new method and finds the same results as Dr. Jordan, but another scientist, Dr. Winslow, gets different results. What does this story demonstrate?

• A. Scientific knowledge results from a lot of debate and confirmation.

• B. Scientific knowledge is developed by individual scientists in isolation.

• C. Scientists consistently disagree with each other during experimentation.

• D. Scientists consistently share common interpretations of data and information.

Answer explanation

This story illustrates that scientific knowledge is built through debate and confirmation, as seen when Dr. Jordan revises his findings after Dr. Keisha's attempts, highlighting the collaborative nature of scientific inquiry.

Laboratory experiments, observational field studies, and model-building are all examples of different forms of scientific investigations. In what way do laboratory experiments primarily differ from other forms of scientific investigations?

• Laboratory experiments involve the identification and control of variables.

• A laboratory experiment is the only accepted form of investigation within the scientific community.

• Data can only be collected through laboratory experiments, not other forms of investigation.

• Studies about how things behave in nature or studies involving very large objects are best answered through laboratory experiments.

Answer explanation

Laboratory experiments primarily differ from other forms of scientific investigations because they involve the identification and control of variables, allowing for precise testing of hypotheses.

Brittney, an astronomer, measured the spectrum of a star. She took detailed notes about the type of equipment and method she used. She made four observations of that star on different evenings and recorded her results. She shared the information with another astronomer, Peter, who followed Brittney's detailed notes and confirmed her results. Which statement below best explains the scientific process Peter used to confirm Brittney's results?

• Peter engaged in repetition to confirm Brittney's results.

• Peter replicated Brittney's experiment and got the same results.

• Peter and Brittney discussed her experiment at length and Peter confirmed her results.

• Peter made multiple observations of Brittney's experiment and agreed with her results.

Answer explanation

Peter replicated Brittney's experiment by following her detailed notes and confirmed her results, demonstrating the scientific process of replication.