Nature of Science

What is the difference between a scientific theory and a scientific law?

• A theory is a well-tested range of representations and a law is a concrete physical representation.

• A theory is a well-tested range of observations of why something works and a law is a well-tested concrete explanation how things work

• A theory is a well-tested range of observations of how something works and a law is a well-tested concrete explanation of why things work

• A theory is a hypothesis that is yet to be proven false and a law is a hypothesis that will always be true.

In an experiment, the one variable that is changed is called the

• dependent variable

• independent variable

• experimental variable

• controlled variable

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NGSS.MS-PS2-2

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

• independent variable

• dependent variable

• conclusion

• controlled variable

A scientist hypothesizes the 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 male alligators

• the gender of the alligator

• the temperature

• the incubator

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NGSS.MS-LS1-5

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

• the temperature

• the size of the baby alligators

• the incubator

• the gender of the baby alligators

In a controlled experiment, how many independent variables can be worked with at a time? 

• one

• none

• two or more

• how ever many makes sense.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

Cindy placed three beehives with the same mass into separate (but identical) glass containers. Hive A was kept at 100˚F, Hive B was kept at 0˚F, and Hive C was kept at room temperature (75˚F ) For the next month, she measured the amount of honey each hive produced. Hive C produced more honey than the other two hives.What is the test (INDEPENDENT) variable in Cindy's experiment?

• the temperature of each hive

• the number of hives

• the mass of each hive

• the amount of honey produced

What is being kept constant?

• amount of fertilizer

• amount of water

• height

What is the best definition of the term "theory", as it’s used in science?

• What is the best definition of the term "theory", as it’s used in science?

• It is well tested set of ideas that explains events that occur in nature.

• A theory is based on laws that can be proven true.

• It is a hypothesis that has been confirmed

A prevailing theory about heredity is challenged by newly discovered information from a few experiments. As a result, what might happen to the scientific knowledge about heredity?

• A new theory will immediately be established.

• All that is known about heredity will be erased

• Nothing because scientific knowledge cannot change once it is established.

• Scientific knowledge may change and grow over time.

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NGSS.HS-LS4-1

NGSS.HS-LS4-2

NGSS.HS-LS4-5