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Nature of Science

Total questions: 121

Worksheet time: 2hrs 31mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Waldriana would like to investigate the effect of temperature on the amount of food birds eat.  What should she do first to begin her investigation?
a)
develop a question 
b)
conduct background research
c)
design an experiment
d)
come up with a theory
2.
Which question would be best to answer using a scientific investigation?  
a)
Why are people afraid during thunderstorms?
b)
How easy is it to shovel snow?
c)
Are some clouds prettier than others?
d)
Does temperature affect the amount of rain?
3.
A group of people trained to climb a mountain.  As they practices in high altitudes, a researcher measured changes in their lung strength.  Why is it important that her study has a control group?
a)
to ensure that everyone in the group was strong enough to climb a mountain
b)
to test equipment for measuring lung strength
c)
to share her research with as many people as possible
d)
to compare typical lung strength with the effects of training
4.
How many variables should be changed in a simple experiment?
a)
5
b)
3
c)
1
d)
6
5.

What step does every scientific experiment begin with?

a)

hypothesis

b)

question/problem

c)

procedures

d)

conclusion

6.
The independent variable is the ONE thing you _____.
a)
change on purpose
b)
control or keep constant
c)
measure
7.

The variable that is being measured or observed is called the _______________. Hint: this is the variable that is the result or effect

a)

independent variable

b)

dependent variable

c)

control variable

8.
What is being changed in this experiment?
a)
ramp height
b)
the speed that the ball rolls
c)
type of ball
9.
A series of steps used by scientists to solve a problem or answer a question. 
a)
scientific method
b)
recipe
c)
data collection
d)
metric system
10.

The name of the information that you get from your experiment (you organize it into charts and graphs).

a)

observations

conclusion

b)

data

c)

variables

d)

hypothesis

11.

What is an observation?

a)

A scientific statement based on ideas

b)

Using your senses to notice what is going on around you

c)

To be unaware of your surroundings

d)

The question that you want an answer to.

12.

Billy's class is studying the Moon. He is curious about how craters are formed. His teacher has the class do an investigation to find out if rocks dropped from different heights will make craters that are different in depth.

The class decides to drop a rock from 50 centimeters, 1 meter, and 1.5 meters. In scientific terms, what do we call each of the three different heights that the rock is being dropped from?

a)

control

b)

graph

c)

hypothesis

d)

independent variable

13.
Which of the following is a scientific observation? 
a)
The potato is brown in color.
b)
The potato tastes the best.
c)
The potato may cause allergies.
d)
The potato smells funny. 
14.
What is another word for hypothesis?
a)
evidence
b)
graph
c)
investigation
d)
prediction
15.
A scientist is collecting data on the number of times a cricket chips per minute. What sense is the scientist most likely using to make observations?
a)
hearing
b)
smell
c)
sight
d)
touch
16.
Justin blows his nose, but mucus seems to leak through the tissue.  He decides to test which tissue holds up the best while sneezing.  What is the independent variable?
a)
sneezing
b)
Justin
c)
amount of tissue
d)
type of tissue
17.
Mr. McNeice wanted to know if different types of music affected people's heart rates, so he played different music and checked their pulses.  What is the dependent variable?
a)
type of music
b)
heart rate
c)
how long they listend to music
d)
Mr. McNeice
18.

The factor (variable) in an experiment that you measure.

a)

Independent Variable (IV)

b)

Dependent Variable (DV)

c)

Constants

d)

Control

19.

The one factor (variable) in an experiment that you intentionally change.

a)

Independent Variable (IV)

b)

Dependent Variable (DV)

c)

Constants

d)

Control

20.

The number of times an experiment is repeated.

a)

abundant

b)

model

c)

trials

d)

valid

21.

Independent Variable, which is changed by the scientist during an experiment is also known as

a)

Dependent variable

b)

Test Variable

c)

Controlled Variable

22.

For this experiment what were the independent and dependent variables

a)

Air pressure in a football and its effect on throwing accuracy

b)

Throwing accuracy of Football on Air pressure

c)

None of them

23.

Replication is when one scientist

a)

copies another scientist's experiment.

b)

laughs at another scientists experiment.

c)

repeats their own experiment several times.

d)

clones another scientist.

24.

Repetition is when one scientist

a)

copies another scientist's experiment.

b)

bumps into another scientists.

c)

repeats their own experiment several times.

d)

clones a T. rex.

25.

objects or ideas that represent other things; they help us to understand objects or ideas that are too small or too big to see with our eyes

a)

investigation

b)

model

c)

experiment

d)

research

26.

when a scientist (student) conducts the same experiment as another scientist in order to verify their results, when the same results are collected, regardless of who is conducting the experiment

a)

replication

b)

repitition

c)

trials

d)

accuracy

27.

conducting the exact same experiment over and over and over again

a)

replication

b)

repetition

c)

trials

d)

accuracy

28.
What would the INDEPENDENT variable be in an experiment testing which types of paper airplane goes furthest?
a)
the paper used
b)
the type of paper airplane
c)
the distance of each plane's flight
d)
how hard the plane is thrown
29.
Does deflating a ball affect a its ability to bounce?
a)
independent
b)
dependent
30.
An apple’s freshness will last longer if they are refrigerated.
a)
independent
b)
dependent
31.
What is the effect on increasing the amount of sunlight given to tulips?
a)
independent
b)
dependent
32.
How does watching TV during studying affect a student’s test grades?
a)
independent
b)
dependent
33.
Does the type of shoe worn during a 30 meter dash affect the speed of the runner?
a)
independent
b)
dependent
34.
Does the flavor of ice cream effect how fast the ice cream melts?
a)
independent
b)
dependent
35.
Kreedence wants to know if birds prefer to eat in one place over another. She makes three feeders out of 2-liter bottles and paints all of them red. She fills each of the feeders with the same amount of mixed birdseed, and plans to keep the feeders out for 10 days before measuring how much seed is eaten from each feeder. She puts each of the feeders in her back yard: one feeder in a large dead tree, another feeder she sits on the dog house, and the last she sits in a small bushy tree.
What is the dependent variable?
a)
Length of the birdfeeders
b)
Amount of time feeders are outside
c)
Amount of seed eaten
d)
Location the feeders are put in.
36.
An experiment is performed on plants to see how different liquids affect plant growth. Each plant in the experiment is given a different liquid; water, apple juice, or milk. Each plant has the same amount of soil, sunlight, and listens to the same music. In this investigation, the independent variable is ...
a)
The type of plant
b)
The amount of sunlight
c)
The type of music
d)
The type of liquid
37.
What would the INDEPENDENT variable be in an experiment testing which types of paper airplane goes furthest?
a)
the paper used
b)
the type of paper airplane
c)
the distance of each plane's flight
d)
how hard the plane is thrown
38.

Grace is bringing treats to her Algebra 1 class on her birthday. The number of treats she brings is based on the number of students in her class.


Which of the variables is independent?

a)

number of students

b)

number of treats

39.
When experimenting with the growth of a plant, a scientist uses three (of the same type of) plants, two different fertilizers, equal light, and equal water. What type of variable is the fertilizer?
a)
Dependent
b)
Independent
c)
Control
d)
Compound
40.
Research Question: Does the type of gasoline put in a car effect how fast the car can drive. What is the independent variable?
a)
Type of gasoline
b)
which car the gas is put into
c)
how fast the car can drive
d)
how much gas is put into the car
41.
An experiment is performed on plants to see how different liquids affect plant growth. Each plant in the experiment is given a different liquid; water, apple juice, or milk. Each plant has the same amount of soil, sunlight, and listens to the same music. In this investigation, the independent variable is ...
a)
The type of plant
b)
The amount of sunlight
c)
The type of music
d)
The type of liquid
42.
Ms. S set up an experiment to see how the mass of a ball affects the distance it rolls off a ramp. What is the dependent variable?
a)
Distance traveled by the ball
b)
Height of the ramp
c)
Mass of the ball
d)
Where the experiment took place.
43.

How does the amount of sunlight affect how many tulip flowers a plant grows? The sunlight is the...

a)

independent variable

b)

dependent variable

44.
Identify the dependent variable:
A study was done to find if different tire treads affect the braking distance of a car.
a)
The car
b)
The distance the car took to brake 
c)
The different tire treads
d)
The drive
45.
Identify the independent variable:
The height of bean plants depends on the amount of water they receive. 
a)
The bean seed
b)
The amount of water provided daily
c)
The amount of sunlight they're exposed to daily
d)
How tall they grow by the end of the experiment
46.

What step does every scientific experiment begin with?

a)

hypothesis

b)

question/problem

c)

procedures

d)

conclusion

47.
A series of steps used by scientists to solve a problem or answer a question. 
a)
scientific method
b)
recipe
c)
data collection
d)
metric system
48.
What is a hypothesis?
a)
A hypothesis is the right answer to an experiment.
b)
A hypothesis is the wrong answer to an experiment.
c)
A hypothesis is an educated guess.
d)
I don't know.
49.
The information you record in an experiment is called your ____________.
a)
data
b)
conclusions
c)
notebook
d)
inquiry
50.
After a scientific experiment is performed, data is recorded, and conclusions are drawn, what should be done next?
a)
Share your research with other scientists
b)
Keep your research a secret
c)
Destroy all evidence of your experiment
51.
A possible explanation to a problem that has not yet been tested. 
a)
data
b)
theory
c)
hypothesis
d)
fact
52.
A possible explanation to a problem that has not yet been tested. 
a)
data
b)
theory
c)
hypothesis
d)
fact
53.
This part of the experiment serves as a basis of comparison; the one variable being tested has been omitted. 
a)
experimental group
b)
control group
c)
data
d)
variables
54.
An experiment is performed on plants to see how different liquids affect plant growth. Each plant in the experiment is given a different liquid; water, apple juice, or milk. Each plant has the same amount of soil, sunlight, and listens to the same music. In this investigation, the independent variable is ...
a)
The type of plant
b)
The amount of sunlight
c)
The type of music
d)
The type of liquid
55.
What step does every scientific experiment begin with?
a)
hypothesis
b)
question/problem
c)
procedures
d)
conclusion
56.

What is an independant variable?

a)

a variable that stays the same in an experiment

b)

the result of an experiment

c)

a variable that is changed by the scientist

d)

a variable that changes because of the experiment

57.

What is the control group in an experiment?

a)

a variable that changes due to the independent variable

b)

a variable that does not change during an experiment

c)

a single variable that is changed

d)

the result of the experiment

58.

What is the dependent variable?

a)

a variable that the scientist changes

b)

a variable that does not change during an experiment

c)

the result of the experiment

d)

a variable that never changes

59.

Why are control groups important in an experiment? Check ALL that apply.

a)

allow for VALID results

b)

allow for FAIR results

c)

allow for CORRECT results

d)

allow for COMPARISON

60.

Students of different ages were given the same puzzle to put together. They were timed to see how long it took to finish the puzzle. What is the DV?

a)

Student ages

b)

The puzzle

c)

Time to finish the puzzle

d)

None of the above

61.

Students of different ages were given the same puzzle to put together. They were timed to see how long it took to finish the puzzle. What is the DV?

a)

Student ages

b)

The puzzle

c)

Time to finish the puzzle

d)

None of the above

62.

Students of different ages were given the same puzzle to put together. They were timed to see how long it took to finish the puzzle. What is the control?

a)

Student ages

b)

The puzzle

c)

Time it takes to finish the puzzle

d)

None of the above

63.

You set up an experiment on plants to see how different liquids affect plant growth. Each plant in the experiment is given a different liquid; water, apple juice, or milk. Each plant has the same amount of soil, sunlight, and listens to the same music. In this investigation, what is the dependent variable?

a)

type of plant

b)

plant growth

c)

the liquid the plant is given

d)

the amount of sunlight

64.

You set up an experiment on plants to see how different liquids affect plant growth. Each plant in the experiment is given a different liquid; water, apple juice, or milk. Each plant has the same amount of soil, sunlight, and listens to the same music. In this investigation, what is the independent variable?

a)

type of plant

b)

plant growth

c)

the liquid the plant is given

d)

the amount of sunlight

65.

Using one or more of your senses to gather information is called

a)

Inferring

b)

Observing

c)

Predicting

d)

Hypothesizing

66.

An educated guess or testable prediction is a

a)

theory

b)

law

c)

hypothesis

d)

conclusion

67.

The amount of space occupied by an object is its ________________.



a)

length

b)

volume

c)

mass

68.

Sir Isaac Newton’s study of gravity resulted in a scientific _____ since it described a pattern in nature with related observations.

a)

theory

b)

hypothesis

c)

law

69.

A statement that describes the most logical explanation based on experiment is a

a)

theory

b)

law

c)

hypothesis

70.

The statement that correctly lists the steps of the scientific method in order is ______

a)

conclusion- research-hypothesis-ask a question

b)

ask a question-hypothesis- experiment-collect data and analyze

c)

conclusion-hypothesis-research-experiment

71.

The steps commonly used by scientists in gathering information to test hypotheses and solve problems are called _____.

a)

scientific inquiry

b)

hypothesis

c)

scientific method

72.

The variable that is changed by the scientist to test a hypothesis is called the _________________________ .

a)

dependent variable

b)

independent variable

c)

control

73.
Why do we want to test one variable at a time?
a)
Because it is hard to setup a data table with more
b)
To know what is causing the changes. This helps us understand cause and effect.
c)
It is what has always been done
74.

What is a constant/control in an experiment?

a)

Things that do not change in a experiment. It's the variable that stays the same. You can have many variables stay the same.

b)

It's the variables that the scientist changes in the experiment

c)

It's the variables that are being measured in an experiment

75.
What is being kept constant?
a)
ramp height
b)
speed of the ball rolling
c)
type of ball
76.
To examine data and reach conclusions that explain their observations
a)
Observing
b)
Applying imagination
c)
Inferring
d)
Using logical reasoning
77.
Why is it important for people to understand scientific principles and to think scientifically? 
a)
It allows people to make informed decisions.
b)
It helps people estimate costs of products
c)
It helps people choose where to live
d)
It allows people to explain sports like an expert
78.

Explaining or interpreting the things you observe based on reasoning from what you already know is called

a)

observing

b)

inferring

c)

predicting

d)

classifying

79.

Explaining or interpreting the things you observe based on reasoning from what you already know is called

a)

observing

b)

inferring

c)

predicting

d)

classifying

80.
Why is it important for people to understand scientific principles and to think scientifically? 
a)
It allows people to make informed decisions.
b)
It helps people estimate costs of products
c)
It helps people choose where to live
d)
It allows people to explain sports like an expert
81.

Jackie sets up an investigation to find out how many paperclips she can pick up with an electromagnet. She takes a long iron nail, wraps insulated wire around it 40 times, and connects the wire ends to the opposite terminals of a D-cell battery.

Jackie touches the tip of the nail to a pile of 100 paperclips and picks up 15 of them. She tries the investigation again and picks up 15 paperclips. Jackie concludes that her electromagnet can pick up 15 paperclips. What should Jackie do to improve her investigation?

a)

Jackie should use a regular magnet and not an electromagnet.

b)

Jackie should use a different type of battery.

c)

Jackie should do more trials to make sure her results are valid.

d)

Jackie should begin with more than 100 paperclips.

82.
The Wright brothers are credited with the first successful airplane flight in 1903. Through their experiments they developed an airplane that was capable of sustained flight. Which of the following modern areas of research relies most heavily on science learned through the Wright brothers’ experiments with flight?
a)
bird migration
b)
space exploration
c)
building design
d)
electric vehicles
83.

Scientific ideas change over time as new discoveries are made. Which of the following scientific ideas did Copernicus suggest a replacement for in the 16th century?

a)

miasma theory, the theory that diseases are caused by bad air

b)

spontaneous generation, the idea that insects come from decaying food

c)

geocentricity, the concept that Earth is the center of the solar system

d)

elemental theory, the idea that all substances are made either of earth, air, fire, or water

84.
Which of the following technological advancements affects the most people in society on a daily basis?
a)
antibiotics
b)
electricity
c)
bioremediation
d)
the Hubble Space Telescope
85.

Which of the following diseases has been significantly reduced by this technology? (Hint: Step 1. Consider which diseases are related to food consumption. Step 2. Identify which of these diseases would be reduced by refrigeration technology.)

a)

cancer

b)

diabetes

c)

heart disease

d)

food poisoning

86.

Which of the following best describes the interaction of science and society?

a)

Science and society do not interact.

b)

Society can drive scientific research by providing support and funding opportunities for projects that are considered important by decision makers. Science can affect society by providing new technologies and advancements to meet the needs of society.

c)

Science impacts society by providing solutions to society’s needs, but society has no impact on science.

d)

Society impacts science by providing support and funding for important projects, but science does not impact society.

87.

A _ is an educated guess or testable prediction

a)

control

b)

hypothesis

c)

dependent variable

88.

The _ is an organized set of investigation procedures used by scientists.

a)

scientific method

b)

scientific law

c)

scientific theory

89.

The factor whose value depends on the independent variable is the _.

a)

experiment

b)

constant

c)

dependent variable

90.

A _ is an explanation based on experiments or the most logical explanation.

a)

hypothesis

b)

scientific law

c)

scientific theory

91.

a procedure carried out to carefully observe the natural world that may include making systematic observations, asking questions, gathering information, analyzing data, summarizing results, drawing conclusions, and/or communicating results; to study or test something in order to learn more about it,

a)

model

b)

investigation

c)

experiment

d)

replication

92.

a procedure of steps carried out under controlled conditions to test a hypothesis/answer a question

a)

model

b)

investigation

c)

experiment

d)

research

93.

multiple sets of measurements or observations in a scientific investigation

a)

replication

b)

repetition

c)

trials

d)

accuracy

94.

the measure of how close the result is to the actual value when taking measurements or recording observations

a)

repition

b)

replication

c)

trials

d)

accuracy

95.

information/measurements that are collected from an observation, experiment or investigation; scientists analyze and record this information in order to draw conclusions

a)

evidence

b)

control group

c)

variables

d)

constant

96.

the portion of an experiment that you do NOTHING to; it serves as a comparison to the experimental group; it is what you will use to compare to the other lab outcomes

a)

evidence

b)

control group

c)

variable

d)

constant

97.

a factor that is not changed in an experiment; all the parts that stay the same to keep the experiment fair and consistent

a)

variable

b)

control group

c)

constant

d)

evidence

98.

using your 5 senses and/or scientific instruments to collect information about the natural world

a)

opinion

b)

observation

c)

testable

d)

valid

99.

a term used to describe a question that can be answered through an experiment or observation

a)

opinion

b)

observation

c)

testable

d)

valid

100.

to state what you think will happen under certain conditions based on data or observation

a)

predict

b)

data

c)

analyze

d)

conclusion

101.

measurements or observations collected and recorded in an experiment or investigation

a)

predict

b)

data

c)

analyze

d)

conclusion

102.

to examine methodically (piece by piece) by separating into parts and studying how they are interrelated

a)

predict

b)

data

c)

analyze

d)

conclusion

103.

Dr. Smith has been reading about another scientist’s research in a physics journal. He plans to do these experiments himself and see if he gets the same result.

a)

Repetition

b)

Replication

104.

Julie goes to Silver River each week for 4 weeks and collects 5 samples of water to test the pH

a)

Repetition

b)

Replication

105.

An environmental group contacts Julie to get her procedures so that they can check her results.

a)

Repetition

b)

Replication

106.

A one time explanation of one observation.

a)

Hypothesis

b)

Theory

c)

Law

107.

Well-proven explanation for a set of observations.

a)

Hypothesis

b)

Theory

c)

Law

108.

Explanation of WHY things are the way they are.

a)

Hypothesis

b)

Theory

c)

Law

109.

Proven description of HOW things are, but does not give a reason why.

a)

Hypothesis

b)

Theory

c)

Law

110.

DEVELOPED through scientific inquiry process.

a)

Hypothesis

b)

Theory

c)

Law

111.

Ms. Umholtz performs an experiment by comparing the number of drops of tap water that can fit on a penny to the number of drops of soapy water that can fit on a penny. She performs three trials. What is the independent variable?

a)

Number of drops of tap water

b)

Number of drops of soapy water

c)

Type of water used

d)

Amount of drops that can fit on the penny

112.

Ms. Umholtz performs an experiment by comparing the number of drops of tap water that can fit on a penny to the number of drops of soapy water that can fit on a penny. She performs three trials. What is the dependent variable?

a)

Number of drops of tap water

b)

Number of drops of soapy water

c)

Type of water used

d)

Amount of drops that can fit on the penny

113.

Ms. Umholtz performs an experiment by comparing the number of drops of tap water that can fit on a penny to the number of drops of soapy water that can fit on a penny. She performs three trials. Is this replication or repetition?

a)

Replication

b)

Repetition

114.

Mr. Krabbs wants to make Bikini Bottoms a nicer place to live. He has created a new sauce that he thinks will reduce the production of body gas associated with eating krabby patties from the Krusty Krab. He recruits 100 customers with a history of gas problems. He has 50 of them (Group A) eat krabby patties with the new sauce. The other 50 (Group B) eat krabby patties with sauce that looks just like new sauce but is really just a mixture of mayonnaise and food coloring. Both groups were told that they were getting the sauce that would reduce gas production.

Which people are in the control group?

a)

Group A

b)

Group B

115.

SpongeBob notices that his pal Gary is suffering from slimotosis, which occurs when the shell develops a nasty slime and gives off a horrible odor. His friend Patrick tells him that rubbing seaweed on the shell is the perfect cure, while Sandy says that drinking Dr. Kelp will be a better cure. Sponge Bob decides to test this cure by rubbing Gary with seaweed for 1 week and having him drink Dr. Kelp. After a week of treatment, the slime is gone and Gary’s shell smells better.

What is the independent variable?

a)

Dr. Kelp

b)

Seaweed treatment

c)

Both Dr. Kelp and Seaweed treatment

d)

Neither, the experiment was not controlled

116.

A good hypothesis is written as If _____________, then __________. What should you put after "if" and "then"?

a)

If, (independent variable)

b)

If, (dependent variable)

c)

Then, (independent variable)

d)

Then, (dependent variable)

117.
Information gathered using your 5 senses.
a)
Observation
b)
Inference
118.
What is an inference? 
a)
Just a guess.
b)
A statement based off of your observations. 
c)
The same as an observation. 
d)
Examples of something. 
119.
 An organized procedure to study something under controlled conditions is called:
a)
theory
b)
experiment 
c)
observation
d)
hypothesis
120.
 The statement based on repeated experimental observations that describe how the universe works under certain conditions is known as:
a)
investigation
b)
scientific law
c)
observation
d)
scientific theory
121.
What is a factor that can change in an experiment?
a)
Claim
b)
Variable
c)
Scientific Inquiry
d)
Hypothesis