Exploring Scientific Investigations (SC.8.N.1.1/1.2/1.3/1.4/1.5)

A student is conducting an experiment to determine the effect of sunlight on plant growth. Which of the following is the independent variable in this experiment?

• Amount of water given to the plants

• Type of soil used

• Amount of sunlight received

• Height of the plants

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

Which of the following best describes the purpose of using repeated trials in a scientific study?

• To increase the sample size

• To ensure the results are consistent and reliable

• To reduce the time needed for the experiment

• To make the experiment more complex

A hypothesis states that increasing the temperature of a solution will increase the rate at which a solute dissolves. After conducting an experiment, the data does not support this hypothesis. What should be the next step?

• Discard the hypothesis and stop further investigation

• Modify the hypothesis and conduct a new experiment

• Conclude that the hypothesis is incorrect and publish the results

• Repeat the experiment to confirm the results

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-2

In a scientific investigation, why is it important to use phrases like "results support" or "fail to support" rather than claiming proof?

• To avoid making definitive statements that cannot be changed

• To ensure the results are accepted by all scientists

• To make the research sound more professional

• To acknowledge the possibility of alternative explanations

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

Which of the following is an example of a systematic observation in a scientific investigation?

• Randomly checking the temperature of a solution

• Measuring the temperature of a solution every 5 minutes

• Observing the color change of a solution without a time frame

• Recording the temperature only at the start and end of an experiment

A scientist is analyzing data from an experiment. Which of the following methods would best help in identifying trends in the data?

• Reading the data aloud

• Creating a data table

• Plotting the data on a graph

• Writing a summary of the data

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

How can a hypothesis be valuable even if it is not supported by the data?

• It can be used to prove other hypotheses

• It can lead to further investigations and new discoveries

• It can be published as a scientific fact

• It can be used to disprove other scientific theories

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS4-3

Which of the following best describes the role of variables in a scientific experiment?

• They are the factors that remain constant

• They are the factors that are changed or measured

• They are the factors that are ignored

• They are the factors that are not important

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

A student claims that their experiment proves a scientific theory. Which of the following is a more accurate way to describe their findings?

• The results prove the theory

• The results support the theory

• The results disprove the theory

• The results are inconclusive

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-1

In an experiment to test the effect of fertilizer on plant growth, what is the dependent variable?

• Type of fertilizer used

• Amount of water given

• Growth of the plants

• Type of plants used

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1