Nature of Science

Nature of Science Record each answer on the wipe-off board and wait for the teacher to say “and the answer is” to hold up the board and show her the answer Review

During a laboratory experiment, A student listens carefully as the teacher gives instructions for the use, cleaning, and storage of glassware in the laboratory. All of the following activities are safe laboratory practices for a student except... • A. washing, rinsing, and drying glassware before leaving the laboratory. • B. storing clean glassware as directed by the teacher. • C. using glassware only as directed by the teacher. • D. using glassware that is chipped or cracked.

and the answer is…… • D. using glassware that is chipped or cracked.

2. A student sets up an investigation with two identical plants. He uses containers and soil that are the same. • On day 1, he adds fertilizer to plant B. • Each plant gets 10 mL of water every day. • The student provides the pictures of the plants that he took on day 1 and day 10. • What is the problem question for this experiment? • A Does water affect plant growth? • B Does fertilizer affect plant growth? • C Do soil types affect plant growth? • D Do different types of plants grow at different rates?

and the answer is…… • B . Does fertilizer affect plant growth?

3. Which statement is a conclusion that can be made from the data plotted on the graph? • A. The number of organisms continues to increase as the temperature is raised. • B. Most organisms are present when the temperature is at its lowest. • C. There is a suitable temperature for the growth of these organisms. • D. The highest temperature favors the maximum growth of these organisms.

and the answer is…… • C. There is a suitable temperature for the growth of these organisms.

A student set up an experiment to find out if the adding salt to ice water changes the temperature of the water. Read the steps in her experiment. • 1. Label 3 plastic cups. Cup A: no salt. Cup B: 3 tablespoons salt; Cup C: ½ cup salt. • 2. Fill each cup with ice cubes. • 3. Add water to fill each cup. • 4. Take the temperature of the water in each cup at 0 minutes. • 5. Take the temperature of the water in each cup after 15 minutes • 6. Take the temperature of the water in each cup after 30 minutes. • 4. What is the independent variable in this experiment? • A. The temperature of the water at the start • B. The number of ice cubes in each cup • C. The temperature of the water after 15 minutes • D. The amount of salt in the water

and the answer is…… • D. The amount of salt in the water

5. In an experiment investigating how far model airplanes with different shapes can travel, which of the following are variables that need to be controlled? • A. type of wood used; mass of the planes; amount of glue used; amount of air currents and breezes • B. whether the shapes look like real airplanes; how old the models are • C. the time it takes for each test • D. whether the models land smoothly or become damaged during the test

and the answer is…… • type of wood used; mass of the planes; • amount of glue used; amount of • air currents and breezes

6. Which of the following is a not a quantitativeobservation? • A. The classroom walls are yellow. • B. There are 21 students in the room. • C. The chalkboard is 1 meter high and 2 meters wide. • D. Sixteen students were present for roll call, and five other students arrived afterward

and the answer is…… • A. The classroom walls are yellow.

7. Scientists often test their hypothesis with valid controlled experiments. Which of these is part of a controlled experiment? • A. Change at least two independent variables at a time. • B. Change only one independent variable at a time. • C. Keep all variables constant. • D. Change as many independent variables as possible.

and the answer is…… • B. Change only one independent variable at a time.

8. A variable the scientist measures in an experiment in order to study how a system was affected is called a(n) • A. independent variable. • B. dependent variable. • C. manual variable. • D. controlled variable

and the answer is…… • B. dependent variable.

The graphs show the results of two separate experiments on the same species of plant. Students now want to determine how the use of temperature and water affects the growth of this plant. • 9. Which conditions should be used for the most growth? • A. 20°C, 10 mL/day • B. 25°C, 35 mL/day • C. 30°C, 45 mL/day • D. 35°C, 20 mL/day

and the answer is…… • D. 35°C, 20 mL/day

10. The diagram shows a set up for a plant investigation. Which variables are most likely being tested and measured? • A. Hours of light exposure and bean growth • B. Plant species and light exposure • C. Soil volume and bean growth • D. Soil pH and bean growth

and the answer is…… • D. Soil pH and bean growth

11. Observations that deal with a number or amount are called • A. manipulated observations • B. quantitative observations • C. qualitative observations • D. operational observations

and the answer is…… B. quantitative observations

12. An organized way to collect and record scientific observations is using a(n) • experiment • B. inference • C. data table • D. graph

and the answer is…… C. data table

13. A possible explanation for a set of observations or answer to a scientific question is called a(n) • prediction • hypothesis • theory • law

and the answer is…… hypothesis

14. What is the independent variable in this experiment? • number of chirps per minute • cricket number • environmental temperature • type of cricket

and the answer is…… C. environmental temperature

15. Which type of scientist studies the subject illustrated here? • A. a life scientist • B. an Earth scientist • C. a physical scientist • D. none of these

and the answer is…… • C. a physical scientist

16. Why is cell theory called a scientific theory? It is a rule that describes a pattern in nature It is an explanation based on many observations and investigations It is information gathered by using the senses It is a statement of what will happen next

and the answer is…… B. It is an explanation based on many observations and investigations

17. Which is the application of science to make tools that people can use? • technology • control • a trial • safety

and the answer is…… technology

18. Which of these is true of scientific methods? • Conclusions are drawn at the beginning of the process. • The problem needs to be stated at the beginning of the process. • It is not important to form a hypothesis. • Data can be analyzed in only one way.

and the answer is…… • B. The problem needs to be stated at the beginning of the process.

19. What describes the behavior of something in nature? • theory • law • hypothesis • conclusion

and the answer is…… • B. law

20. Constants in an experiment • A. do not change • B. always change • C. sometimes change • D. are seldom used

and the answer is…… • A. do not change

Nature of Science