WorksheetsScientific Method (Quick Review)
Total questions: 60
Worksheet time: 5hrs 0mins
Scientists create both scientific theories and scientific laws as they make observations and conduct experiments about the natural world. Which of the following statements most accurately compares the difference between scientific theories and scientific laws?
Scientific laws are based on evidence, while scientific theories are not.
Scientific theories involve only biology, while laws involve all types of science.
Scientific theories involve mathematical equations, while scientific laws are based on observations.
Scientific theories are ideas that explain natural events, while scientific laws more reliably predict natural events.
Which of the following ways describe how scientific theories and scientific laws are alike?
Both scientific theories and scientific laws explain why events occur in nature.
Both scientific theories and scientific laws can be modified if new evidence is discovered.
Both scientific theories and scientific laws are accepted by only the minority of scientists in their field.
Scientific theories and scientific laws are not alike in any ways.
Which of the following is supported by lots of evidence?
Theory
Law
Both
Neither
Which of the following tells what happens every time under certain conditions?
Theory
Law
Both
Neither
Research Question: Does the type of gasoline put in a car effect how fast the car can drive?
What is the independent variable?
What is the DEPENDENT variable (effect) in this experiment?
"Does eating breakfast improve test scores?"
eating breakfast or not
the grade you got on the test
what time you get up in the morning
how tasty the breakfast is
What is the variable called that is used for comparison (does not change)?
Changed
A series of steps used by scientists to solve a problem or answer a question.
scientific method
recipe
data collection
metric system
Testing a hypothesis often involves a(n):
answer
experiment
problem
safety check
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 ...
The type of plant
The amount of sunlight
The type of music
The type of liquid
If I ride my bike to school instead of walking, then I will get to school faster. What is the dependent variable?
True
How fast you get to school
Riding a bike or walking
False
If I read this question carefully, then I will answer it correctly. What is the independent variable?
I hope so
Yes
Reading or not reading carefully
Likelihood of a correct answer
A series of steps used by scientists to solve a problem or answer a question.
scientific method
recipe
data collection
metric system
Which is NOT a step in the scientific method?
Make observation
Form a theory
Collect data
Form a hypothesis
What's the dependent variable?
What is a statement that describes what scientists expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditions?
For example: law of gravity
Communicating
Scientific Inquiry
Scientific Theory
Scientific Law
What is a well-tested explanation for a wide range of observations or experimental results?
For example: the Atomic Theory
Scientific Theory
Scientific Law
Communicating
Operational Definition
Theory or law: Atomic _____ of matter: all matter is made up of atoms. Explains why matter behaves a certain way.
Theory
Law
Theory or Law? _________ of Thermodynamics: Matter can never be created or destroyed. Tells what happens with matter.
Theory
Law
This is the last step in the scientific method (pick ALL of the correct answer choices)
What is the first step in the scientific method?
draw conclusions
ask a question/make an observation
make a hypothesis
test the experiment
Which of these can be represented mathematically and provide no explanation why a phenomenon occurs?
theory
law
Using your senses to gather information is called an _____?
observation
inference
question
It's December.
Observation
Inference
A series of steps used by scientists to solve a problem or answer a question.
scientific method
recipe
data collection
metric system
A testable statement to a problem that has not yet been tested.
data
theory
hypothesis
fact
Dependent variable means
the scientist controls what to test
educated guess
ask a question
what is being measured
What's the dependent variable?
What is a statement that describes what scientists expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditions?
For example: law of gravity
Communicating
Scientific Inquiry
Scientific Theory
Scientific Law
This variable in an experiment is the one being changed by the scientist.
dependent variable
independent variable
data
control group
The summary at the end of an experiment that explains the results.
conclusion
procedures
materials
responding variable
The name of the information that you get from your experiment (you organize it into charts and graphs).
observations
conclusion
data
variables
hypothesis
Independent variable is
the scientist controls what to test
educated guess
ask a question
what is being measured
Which of the following best describes a scientific law?
A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is based on a body of evidence.
A statement that describes an observable phenomenon that always occurs under certain conditions.
A proposed explanation for a wide range of observations and experimental results.
A tentative explanation for an observation or phenomenon that can be tested.
What is a scientific theory?
A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is based on a body of evidence.
A statement that describes an observable phenomenon that always occurs under certain conditions.
A proposed explanation for a wide range of observations and experimental results.
A tentative explanation for an observation or phenomenon that can be tested.
Which of the following is an example of a scientific law?
Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation
The Theory of Evolution
The Big Bang Theory
The Law of Conservation of Energy
What is the main difference between a scientific law and a scientific theory?
Laws describe observations, while theories explain why those observations occur.
Laws are based on evidence, while theories are based on speculation.
Laws are proven to be true, while theories are still being tested.
Laws are specific to certain fields, while theories apply to all scientific disciplines.
Which of the following statements is true?
Scientific laws can be changed or discarded if new evidence contradicts them.
Scientific theories are always proven to be true beyond any doubt.
Scientific laws and theories are interchangeable terms with the same meaning.
Scientific theories are less reliable than scientific laws.
How can laws be expressed?
By experiments
Groupings
Mathematical Equations
What is the definition of observation?
A. Drawing conclusions based on evidence
B. Making a guess or prediction
C. Gathering information using the five senses
D. Forming opinions based on personal beliefs
What is the definition of inference?
A. Drawing conclusions based on evidence
B. Making a guess or prediction
C. Gathering information using the five senses
D. Forming opinions based on personal beliefs
Which of the following is a key difference between observation and inference?
A. Observations are based on evidence, while inferences are based on personal beliefs
B. Observations involve gathering information using the five senses, while inferences involve making guesses or predictions
C. Observations are subjective, while inferences are objective
D. Observations and inferences are the same thing
Which of the following is an example of an inference?
A. The sky is cloudy, so it might rain
B. The thermometer shows a temperature of 25 degrees Celsius
C. I think the plant needs more sunlight because it looks wilted
D. I believe the cat is hungry because it is meowing
Which of the following is an example of an observation?
A. The tree has green leaves, so it must be healthy
B. The clock shows the time as 3 o'clock
C. I think the car is fast because it is red
D. I believe the food is delicious because it smells good
Observation using your senses
(a)
(a) data considered to be (b)
Match the following steps of the scientific method with the correct definition.
notice an issue or situation that is occurring in nature
observation
a testable statement that will try to answer the problem of the initial observation
hypothesis
plan a step by step procedure to test the hypothesis
experiment
record and analyze evidence gathered from the experiment
data
an explanation of the evidence gathered from testable statement
conclusion
What is the definition of a scientific theory?
A statement that describes an observable occurrence in nature that appears to always be true.
A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is acquired through the scientific method and repeatedly tested and confirmed through observation and experimentation.
A proposed explanation for a wide range of observations and experimental results.
A tentative explanation for an observation or phenomenon that can be tested.
What is the term for the variable that the scientist changes to test the hypothesis?
Dependent variable
Control variable
Independent variable
Constant variable
Which of the following is a characteristic of a scientific law?
It is a detailed explanation of a phenomenon.
It can be proven false by new evidence.
It describes a pattern in nature without explaining why it happens.
It is less reliable than a scientific theory.
