Understanding Science and Pseudoscience

What is a key characteristic of pseudoscience?

• It follows the scientific method.

• It is based on empirical evidence.

• It uses complex language to appear scientific.

• It makes testable claims.

What is one of the foundational assumptions of science?

• Events follow patterns that can be understood.

• Events occur randomly without patterns.

• Science is based on untestable beliefs.

• The rules of nature vary across the universe.

How does inductive reasoning differ from deductive reasoning in science?

• Deductive reasoning is less reliable than inductive reasoning.

• Deductive reasoning is used to generalize observations.

• Inductive reasoning is based on repeated observations.

• Inductive reasoning involves making specific predictions.

What is the role of evidence in scientific generalizations?

• Evidence is used to confirm absolute truths.

• Evidence is not necessary for scientific claims.

• Evidence helps test and potentially disprove generalizations.

• Evidence is only used in pseudoscience.

Why is it important to understand error and uncertainty in scientific measurements?

• To ensure all measurements are error-free.

• To assess the reliability and accuracy of scientific data.

• To eliminate the need for repeated experiments.

• To prove scientific theories with absolute certainty.

How do scientists manage uncertainty in measurements?

• By assuming it does not affect the results.

• By carefully assessing and minimizing it.

• By rounding off all measurements to the nearest whole number.

• By ignoring it in their calculations.

What does science aim to do when it cannot provide absolute proof?

• Provide definitive answers to all questions.

• Ignore claims that cannot be absolutely proven.

• Assess the likelihood and plausibility of claims.

• Disprove all alternative theories.

Why can't science disprove the existence of mythical beings like Thor?

• Because science focuses on assessing likelihood, not absolute disproof.

• Because there is no historical evidence for mythical beings.

• Because science can only disprove physical phenomena.

• Because science accepts all cultural beliefs as true.

What is the significance of the New Horizons probe's successful rendezvous with Pluto?

• It proved the existence of life on Pluto.

• It demonstrated the accuracy of our understanding of gravity.

• It showed that space missions are error-free.

• It confirmed the age of the solar system.

What is the main focus of science when dealing with claims?

• To prove all claims as true.

• To assess the plausibility and testability of claims.

• To disprove all unscientific claims.

• To accept claims that cannot be tested.