Chapter 2

Question 1

observations

Answer 1

information detected with the senses - or with equipment that extends our senses.

Question 2

inferences

Answer 2

conclusions we draw based on observations

Question 3

atmosphere

Answer 3

blanket of gases that surrounds Earth and other planets

Question 4

troposphere

Answer 4

region of the atmosphere that starts at ground level and extends upward about 7 miles.

Question 5

stratosphere

Answer 5

region of the atmosphere that starts at the top of the troposphere and extends up to about 31 miles; contains the ozone layer.

Question 6

ozone

Answer 6

molecule with 3 oxygen atoms that absorbs UV radiation in the stratosphere.

Question 7

ultraviolet (UV) radiation

Answer 7

short-wavelength electromagnetic energy emitted by the sun.

Question 8

science

Answer 8

a body of knowledge (facts and exploration) about the natural world, and the process used to get that knowledge.

Question 9

empirical evidence

Answer 9

information gathered via observation of physical phenomena

Question 10

correlation

Answer 10

two things occur together - but it doesn’t necessarily mean that one caused the other.

Question 11

cause-and-effect relationship

Answer 11

an association between two variables that identifies one (the effect) occurring as a result of or in response to the other (the cause).

Question 12

scientific method

Answer 12

procedure scientists use to empirically test a hypothesis

Question 13

hypothesis

Answer 13

a possible explanation for what we have observed that is based on some previous knowledge.

Question 14

testable

Answer 14

a possible explanation that generates predictions for which empirical evidence can be collected to verify or refute the hypothesis.

Question 15

prediction

Answer 15

a statement that identifies what is expected to happen in a given situation.

Question 16

falsifiable

Answer 16

an idea or prediction that can be proved wrong by evidence.

Question 17

observational study

Answer 17

research that gathers data in a real-world setting without intentionally manipulating any variable

Question 18

experimental study

Answer 18

research that manipulates a variable in a test group and compares the response to that of a control group that was not exposed to the same variable.

Question 19

control group

Answer 19

the group in an experimental study that the test group’s results are compared to; ideally, the control group will differ from the test group in only one way.

Question 20

test group

Answer 20

the group in an experimental study that is manipulated somehow such that it differs from the control group in only one way.

Question 21

independent variable

Answer 21

the variable in an experiment that the researcher manipulates or changes to see if it produces an effect.

Question 22

dependent variable

Answer 22

the variable in an experiment that is evaluated to see if it changes due to the conditions of the experiment.

Question 23

peer-reviewed

Answer 23

researchers submit a report of their work to a group of outside experts who evaluate the study’s design and results of the study to determine whether it is of high-enough quality to publish.

Question 24

theory

Answer 24

a widely accepted explanation of natural phenomenon that has been extensively and rigorously tested scientifically.

Question 25

statistics

Answer 25

the mathematical evaluation of experimental data to determine how likely it is that any difference observed is due to the variable being tested.

Question 26

Montreal Protocol

Answer 26

International treaty that laid out plans to phase out ozone depleting chemicals like CFC.

Question 27

policy

Answer 27

a formalized plan that addresses a desired outcome or goal.

Question 28

precautionary principle

Answer 28

acting in a way that leaves a safety margin when the data is uncertain or severe consequences are possible.

Question 29

adaptive management

Answer 29

plan that allows room for altering strategies as new information comes in or the situation itself changes.