Gears 2 Nature of Science

A scientist is conducting an experiment to determine the effect of temperature on the solubility of a salt in water. What is the independent variable in this experiment?

• The amount of salt

• The temperature of the water

• The volume of water

• The solubility of the salt

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

Which of the following best describes a scientific theory?

• A hypothesis that has been proven true

• A well-tested explanation for a set of observations

• A statement that describes a natural phenomenon

• A prediction about future events

A student observes that a plant grows taller when placed in sunlight. What is the inference?

• The plant needs more water

• The plant will grow taller in sunlight

• The plant is healthy

• The plant is in a pot

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS1-6

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

If a scientist repeats an experiment three times, what is this process called?

• Replication

• Repetition

• Investigation

• Observation

Which of the following is an example of a hypothesis?

• Plants need sunlight to grow

• If plants receive more sunlight, then they will grow taller

• The plant is green

• The plant is in a pot

What is the main difference between an experiment and an investigation?

• An experiment involves a hypothesis, while an investigation does not

• An experiment is a controlled test, while an investigation may not be controlled

• An investigation involves a hypothesis, while an experiment does not

• An investigation is a controlled test, while an experiment may not be controlled

A scientist wants to test how temperature affects bacteria growth but uses different amounts of bacteria in each test tube. What is the design flaw?

• The temperature is not controlled

• The bacteria type is different

• The starting amount of bacteria is different

• The test tubes are not labeled

Why is replication important in scientific experiments?

• It allows for more data to be collected

• It ensures the experiment is done faster

• It verifies the accuracy and reliability of results

• It reduces the cost of experiments

Which of the following is a limitation of using models in science?

• Models can be used to predict outcomes

• Models can simplify complex concepts

• Models may not accurately represent all aspects of the concept

• Models are easy to understand

What role does technology play in scientific research?

• It complicates data collection

• It helps in data collection, analysis, and sharing

• It replaces the need for experiments

• It limits the scope of research

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS4-3