Module 1: Scientific Concepts and Methodologies

Question 1

Define Science

Answer 1

a systematic way of learning about the world hat relies on observation, evidence and objective investigation

Question 2

Define Observation

Answer 2

information gathered about the natural world using tools or human senses

Question 3

Define Hypothesis

Answer 3

a prediction about the outcome of a scientific investigation; a proposed explanation for an aspect of the natural world

Question 4

Define Prediction

Answer 4

a guess about what will happen

Question 5

Define Conclusion

Answer 5

an inference or summary of the meaning of the results of a scientific investigation

Question 6

Define Reproducible Results

Answer 6

a result of a scientific investigation that has been replicated by others

Question 7

Define Experiment

Answer 7

a scientific investigation in which a scientist manipulates one or more conditions to see the results

Question 8

Define Controlled Experiment

Answer 8

an experiment in which one condition is allowed to vary and all others are kept constant

Question 9

Define Independent Variable

Answer 9

in a controlled experiment, the condition that the scientist changes on purpose

Question 10

Define Dependent Variable

Answer 10

in a controlled experiment, the condition that the scientist observes to see the effects of changing the independent variable

Question 11

Define Controlled Variable

Answer 11

a condition that is kept the same throughout an experiment

Question 12

Define Field Study

Answer 12

a scientific investigation that is not conducted in a laboratory setting

Question 13

Define Model

Answer 13

a representation of an aspect of the natural world

Question 14

Define Computational World

Answer 14

a model created or designed using computers

Question 15

Define Fact

Answer 15

an observation or phenomenon that all competent observers agree on

Question 16

Define Law

Answer 16

a well-tested, well-supported description of an aspect of the natural world

Question 17

Define Theory

Answer 17

a well-tested, well-supported, broad explanation for all available observations and data

Question 18

Define Evidence

Answer 18

data or observations that support or refute a scientific claim

Question 19

Define Reductionist Approach

Answer 19

an approach to studying a system in which the focus is on each part of the system in isolation

Question 20

Define Systems Approach

Answer 20

an approach to styling a system in which the focus in on the system as a whole and the interactions between the parts of the system

Question 21

Define Technology

Answer 21

the application of science to fulfill a need or address a problem

Question 22

Define the Scientific Method

Answer 22

a method of procedure that includes Asking a question, Making a prediction (hypothesis), Conducting an investigation, Making observations, Analyzing data, Drawing conclusions, and Trying to reproduce the results.

Question 23

Explain how the Scientific Method is used in the process of science to solve problems.

Answer 23

Not all investigations use a linear path with the steps of the Scientific Method to come to a conclusion. There may be times steps are skipped and other times steps are repeated.

Question 24

Define Observation and give an example.

Answer 24

Definition: information gathered

Example:

1. I see there are shopping carts in the parking lot.
2. Fewer carts were in parking areas in the area around the corral than in areas further from the corral.

Question 25

Define **Question** and give an example.

Answer 25

***_Definition:_*** what you want to know ***_Example:_*** How can we discourage people from leaving carts in the parking lot?

Question 26

Define **Hypothesis** and give an example.

Answer 26

***_Definition:_*** prediction about what will happen ***_Example:_*** Providing a location to return the shopping carts will reduce the number of carts in the parking areas.

Question 27

Define **Prediction** and give an example.

Answer 27

***_Definition:_*** a guess about what will happen ***_Example:_*** I think there will be less shopping carts in the parking areas if there are more corrals placed across the parking lot.

Question 28

Define **Reproducible Results** and give an example.

Answer 28

***_Definition:_*** whether the results can be replicated ***_Example:_*** performing the experiment at another location or using the same location just at a different time of year

Question 29

Define **Conclusion** and give an example.

Answer 29

***_Definition:_*** inference about the results ***_Example:_*** People are more likely to return shopping carts if return areas are convenient.

Question 30

Discuss the role of creativity in each step of the Scientific Method: 1. Question 2. Hypothesis 3. Investigation 4. Observation 5. Conclusion 6. Replication

Answer 30

1. ***_Question_*** - creativity will help in figuring how to ask a question or what question to ask; helping to think of new ideas 2. ***_Hypothesis_*** - you have to imagine what might happen and what the possible outcomes might be; there can be many ways of looking at something, so there may be many ideas of what would happen and the outcomes and choosing the most likely 3. ***_Investigation_*** - may need to be creative in building new tools or equipment to help 4. ***Observation*** - thinking of ways (possible new ways) to observe and collect data 5. ***_Conclusion_*** - there may be many ways of looking at the outcomes and interpreting the data; might lead to hew questions, theories, and methods 6. ***Replication*** - think creatively about how to test results and analyze the reproducibility; figuring out possible explanations if results can't be replicated

Question 31

Explain how Galileo challenged Aristotle's belief that heavy objects fall faster than lighter objects. Consider how Galileo's actions were related to the scientific method.

Answer 31

Galileo actually experimented with different objects to try to verify Aristotle's beliefs. He took two cannonballs of different weights and observed them falling at the same rate. Aristotle believed heavier objects fell faster than lighter ones but never experimented to find out for sure.

Question 32

In a scientific investigation, a hypothesis is: 1. the second step in the investigation 2. an explanation for the results gathered in the investigation 3. data collected to test the scientific question 4. a testable prediction about the outcome of the investigation

Answer 32

4. a testable prediction about the outcome of the investigation

Question 33

Which of the following is **_NOT_** a part of the scientific method? 1. collecting information using tools or the senses 2. making educated guesses about what will happen 3. changing or ignoring data what do not agree with your prediction 4. thinking creatively about how to answer a question

Answer 33

3. changing or ignoring data what do not agree with your prediction

Question 34

Which of the following is **_NOT_** an example of using scientific methods to answer a question? ***(think of Aristotle)*** 1. drawing a conclusion based entirely on logical reasoning 2. observing a natural system to figure out how it works 3. collecting data to determine whether a prediction is accurate 4. repeating an experiment to see if you get the same results

Answer 34

1. drawing a conclusion based entirely on logical reasoning

Question 35

*_Controlled Science Experiment_* -identify and discuss important considerations when designing a controlled science experiment

Answer 35

the researcher keeps everything the same except for the one condition that they change on purpose; they can be sure the many differences in the results are only the results of the condition they changed

Question 36

* Independent Variable* - identify and discuss important considerations when designing a controlled science experiment

Answer 36

what we are changing on purpose; what we're manipulating because we think it will affect the results

Question 37

*_Dependent Variable_* -identify and discuss important considerations when designing a controlled science experiment

Answer 37

what we think will depend on the independent variable; what we'll observe or measure to see the affects of changing the independent variable

Question 38

*_Controlled Variable_* -identify and discuss important considerations when designing a controlled science experiment

Answer 38

all the conditions have to be kept exactly the same throughout the experiment; these are important because they isolate affects of a single variable or condition; helps ensure results are caused by that independent variable and not by some other factor

Question 39

Reference the attached image. Describe what an independent variable, dependent variable and a controlled variable are in relation to this scenario.

Answer 39

* **_Independent Variable_** - the angle of the ramp * **_Dependent Variable_** - the distance the ball rolls off the ramp * **_Controlled Variable_** - the type of ball, ramp material, floor material, height of the ramp

Question 40

Explain the importance of having reproducible results in scientific experiments.

Answer 40

It helps eliminate the effects of bias and random chance; if we don't have any results to compare to the original test, there's no way to know whether the results are accurate or not.

Question 41

Define and give an example of a **Field Study**.

Answer 41

***_Definition:_*** an investigation outside of a laboratory setting; less control but more realistic environment ***_Example:_*** taking samples from an underwater reef

Question 42

Define and give an example of **Computational Modeling**.

Answer 42

***_Definition:_*** representation of some aspect of the natural world; developed mathematically on a computer ***_Example:_*** models for traffic light timings, weather forecasts, utilities companies using them to predict demand for power or water

Question 43

Which of these scientific investigations would be most appropriate as a field study? 1. determining how a new antibiotic affects bacterial cells in a Petri dish 2. calculating how long it takes volcanic ash to move through the atmosphere 3. measuring how hot a rock needs to get before it melts 4. observing how coral interact with parrotfish

Answer 43

4. observing how coral interact with parrotfish

Question 44

A farmer wants to figure out which brand of fertilizer will produce the largest tomato yield. In a controlled experiment to answer this question, what would be the most appropriate independent variable? 1. type of tomato plant 2. type of fertilizer 3. amount of fertilizer 4. tomato yield

Answer 44

2. type of fertilizer

Question 45

Which of the following questions could not be answered with a controlled experiment? 1. What kinds of minerals form at a volcano? 2. How does increasing temperature affect the rate of a chemical reaction? 3. Which type of food helps mice grow fastest? 4. How does adding salt to water affect how long it takes the water to freeze?

Answer 45

1. What kinds of minerals form at a volcano?

Question 46

Describe the principle of **Falsifiability**.

Answer 46

There has to be a way at least in principle to prove that a hypothesis is false; that doesn't mean that it actually has to be false, just that there has to be possible a way that we could demonstrate that it's false. ***_Example:_*** * - "Invisible forces made me cut my hair." *_(not falsifiable)_* * - "Heavier balls roll faster down inclines." *_(falsifiable)_*

Question 47

Define and give an example of a **Fact**.

Answer 47

***_Definition:_*** a phenomenon about which competent observers can agree; anyone who is observing the phenomenon will observe the same thing; also called observations or data; not open to interpretation or analysis ***_Example:_*** water is liquid at room temperature and pressure; sun appears to rise over the horizon in the east

Question 48

Define and give an example of a **Hypothesis**.

Answer 48

**_Definition:_** a prediction about the outcome of a scientific investigation ***_Example:_*** "Heavier balls roll faster down inclines."

Question 49

Define and give an example of a **Theory**.

Answer 49

***_Definition:_*** a broad synthesis of information about the natural world that explains all of our available observations; well-tested, well-accepted explanation for natural phenomenon; explains why we observe what we observe ***_Example:_*** Einstein's theory of general relativity explains why there is a gravitational force between masses

Question 50

Define and give an example of a **Law**.

Answer 50

***_Definition:_*** a general hypothesis or description of a natural process that's supported by all available observations and data; describes how the natural world behaves ***_Example:_*** Newton's laws of motion describe how objects respond to forces

Question 51

Explain the importance of using evidence to evaluate scientific claims. Describe how such evidence can be used to either support or refute scientific claims.

Answer 51

Observations can provide evidence that a claim is valid or invalid. If the data supports the claim, they provide evidence that the claim is valid. If the data refutes the claim, they provide evidence that the hypothesis or claim is not valid. The more data that supports the idea, the more valid the idea's considered to be.

Question 52

The Big Bang Theory is an important unifying idea in astronomy. What must be true of the Big Bang Theory? 1. It can expalin all available evidence and observations. 2. It allows scientists to make predictions about the natural world. 3. It is a testable, falsifiable set of ideas. 4. All of the above are true.

Answer 52

4. All of the above are true.

Question 53

How is a scientific hypothesis different from a sientific theory? 1. A hypothesis is supported by more ovservations than a theory is. 2. A hypothesis is broader than a theory is. 3. A hypothesis is tentative, but a theory is well accepted. 4. A hypothesis is based on facts, but a theory is a guess.

Answer 53

3. A hypothesis is tentative, but a theory is well accepted.

Question 54

Which of the following is true of a scientific theory, but is not true of a scientific law? 1. explains natural phenomena 2. based on personal opinion 3. testable 4. supported by evidence

Answer 54

1. explains natural phenomena

Question 55

Explain how a sytems approach might be helpful in studying science.

Answer 55

Studying the stystem as a whole and the interactions between its componenets gives a better understanding to the system as a whole and not isolate parts. By isolating certain elements of a system to study them, you may change behavior, characteristics, etc and not get an accurate observation of how the system works with all parts in its natural setting.

Question 56

Identify ways in which science and technology are similar and different.

Answer 56

***_Similar:_***The goal of science is the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake while the goal of technology is to create products that solve problems and improve human life. They rely on each other. ***_Different:_*** technology is the result of scientific labor; technology is geared towards realworld application and execution, whereas science is geared more toward a laboratory setting but technology allows it in a real world setting

Question 57

Which of the following is the best example of a systems approach to studying the natural world? 1. measuring the height of an oak tree 2. studying how well a new kind of wireconducts electricity 3. observing how wolves hunt elk 4. determining the structure of a cell protein

Answer 57

3. observing how wolves hunt elk

Question 58

A systems approach would be most useful for studying which of the following systems? 1. a cell phone 2. a thermostat 3. a car 4. a forest

Answer 58

4. a forest

Question 59

Which is an example of a scientific discovery leading to a new technology? 1. sonar allowing us to determine the structure of the ocean floor 2. identification of the celectron allowing for the development of electricity 3. computers being used to analyze human genetic information 4. people collaborating online to map the surface of the moon

Answer 59

2. identification of the celectron allowing for the development of electricity

Question 60

Define **Biology**.

Answer 60

study of living organisms, divided into many specialized fields that cover their morphology, physiology, anatomy, behavior, origin and distribution

Question 61

Define **Chemistry.**

Answer 61

all about looking at atoms and molecules and how they interact with each other

Question 62

Define **Physics**.

Answer 62

all about forces in energy and motion and calculating those things; calculating trajectories and figuring out the forces that would be involved

Question 63

Define **Geology**.

Answer 63

all about land forms and the movements of these landforms; study of rocks

Question 64

Define **Astronomy.**

Answer 64

the study of stars, planets, moons and objects beyond the sphere of the earth; how these objects move, their rotations, orbits and how they interact with each other with their gravity

Question 65

Explain why an integrated approach is useful in learning more about our natural world.

Answer 65

Scientists integrate their knowledge with knowledge from other fields to develop a bigger, fuller picture of what's going on in and around us and enable us to make technological advances like traveling to the moon.

Question 66

Identify examples of questions that science can answer, and examples of questions that science cannot answer.

Answer 66

**CAN** Answer: * How many Western Sage Grouse currently live in Utah? * What type of habitat do Sage Grouse need to thrive? * How do male Sage Grouse attract mates? **CANNOT** Answer: (morals and human values) * Should Sage Grouse be protected as an endangered species? * HOw do we protect the rights of owners of land including Sage Grouse habitat?

Question 67

Explain how science differs from art and religion.

Answer 67

* **Science** - *_asks how;_* is measurable, it's quantitative, it's repeatable, it's based on physical natural phenomenon * **Religion** - *_asks why_*; along the lines of moral and human values; not measurable or quantitative * **Art** - *_expresses aesthetics_*; based onpersonal preferences

Question 68

Which of the following fields of study is concerned with the formation of rocks and the landforms found on the surface of the Earth? 1. Biology 2. Chemistry 3. Physics 4. Geology 5. Astronomy

Answer 68

4. Geology

Question 69

Which is an advantage of using an integrated approach to the study of science? 1. It enables us to see connections among different fields 2. It provides a more complete understanding of the concepts being studied 3. It enables us to see how systems, as a whole, function 4. All of the above

Answer 69

4. All of the above

Question 70

Which is an example of a question that is appropriately addressed by science? 1. What is the purpose of human life? 2. Which painting in the Museum of Modern Art is the most beautiful? 3. How do Whooping Cranes navigate as they migrate south in the fall? 4. Should wolves be reintroduced to areas outside Yellowstone National Park?

Answer 70

3. How do Whooping Cranes navigate as they migrate south in the fall?

Question 71

What is the equation for work?

Answer 71

Work = Force x Distance **W** = **F** x **D** - work = force applied over some distance

Question 72

Using an example of a simple machine such as a lever, describe how the force and distance input are different than the force and distance output.

Answer 72

A lever can help us do work by reducing the amount of force we have to put in and spreading it out over a longer distance. ***_Example:_*** instead of dead lifting a giant wheel of cheese 1 meter in the air, use a lever to push the cheese up \*\*in this case pushing is easier than lifting, exerting less force pushing down than ou would be exerting more force by lifitng up (make your job and life more simple)

Question 73

Explain why simple machines cannot reduce the total amount of work that is done to move an object.

Answer 73

The work will *_always_* need to be done. There is no way to decrease the amount of work, but you can help yourself get the work done by decreasing the amount of force you apply to it and possibly how far you will need to go. \*_*\*Work smarter, not harder!!\*\**_

Question 74

Which accurately describes the advantage of using simple machines such as a lever? 1. Simple Machines reduce the amount of work input. 2. Simple Machines reduce the amount of distance input. 3. Simple Machines reduce the amount of force input.

Answer 74

3. Simple Machines reduce the amount of force input.

Question 75

In order to decrease the amount of force that must be applied to move an object, a simple machine: 1. increases the distance over which the force must be applied 2. decreases teh amount of work that must be done to move the object 3. decreases the distance over which the force must be applied 4. increases the amount of work that must be done to move the object

Answer 75

1. increases the distance over which the force must be applied

Question 76

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it: ## Footnote **Gram (g)**

Answer 76

***_Measurement:_*** Mass ***_Use:_*** to know how much matter an object has; not weight (the force of gravity on the object) - how much matter is in an object

Question 77

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it: ## Footnote **Second (s)**

Answer 77

***_Measurement:_*** Time ***_Use:_*** gives us a frame of measurement to accomplish tasks

Question 78

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it: ## Footnote **Meter (m)**

Answer 78

***_Measurement:_*** Length ***_Use:_*** tells us how far to go; how long items need to be to craft something

Question 79

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it: **Kelvin (K)**

Answer 79

***_Measurement:_*** Temperature ***_Use:_*** if you know temperature, then you know if something might be dangerous, or if it will give you desired outcome like food

Question 80

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it: ## Footnote **Degree Celsius (C)**

Answer 80

Measurement: Temperature Use: if you know temperature, then you know if something might be dangerous, or if it will give you desired outcome like food

Question 81

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it: ## Footnote **Liter (L)**

Answer 81

***_Measurement:_*** Volume ***_Use:_*** how much a container can hold

Question 82

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it: ## Footnote **Joule (J)**

Answer 82

***_Measurement:_*** Energy ***_Use:_*** to know how much you need to expend to accomplish tasks

Question 83

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it: ## Footnote **Watt (W)**

Answer 83

***_Measurement:_*** Power ***_Use:_*** if you use too much power you may not ahve any left over to do anything else - the rate of energy used

Question 84

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it: Newton (N)

Answer 84

***_Measurement:_*** Force ***_Use:_*** to know how much needs to be exerted to get a task done

Question 85

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it: ## Footnote **Ohm (Ω)**

Answer 85

***_Measurement:_*** Electrical Resistance ***_Use:_*** if any item can't take a lot of resistance it can break

Question 86

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it: ## Footnote **Volt (V)**

Answer 86

***_Measurement:_*** Eletrical Potential ***_Use:_*** need to know how much volts devices can take to work properly and not break

Question 87

Identify the power of ten associated with provided metric prefix: ***_Nano (n)_***

Answer 87

Nano (n) = 10^-9

Question 88

Identify the power of ten associated with provided metric prefix: ## Footnote **Micro (µ)**

Answer 88

Micro (µ) = 10^-6

Question 89

Identify the power of ten associated with provided metric prefix: ## Footnote **Centi (c)**

Answer 89

Centi (c) = 10^-2

Question 90

Identify the power of ten associated with provided metric prefix: ## Footnote **Milli (m)**

Answer 90

Milli (m) = 10^-3

Question 91

Identify the power of ten associated with provided metric prefix: ## Footnote **Kilo (k)**

Answer 91

Kilo (k) = 10³

Question 92

Explain how to combine the basic unit and prefix below to describe quantities. mV

Answer 92

mV = millivolt ## Footnote * a measure of voltage that is smaller than a volt * 1 mV = 0.001

Question 93

Explain how to combine the basic unit and prefix below to describe quantities. µm

Answer 93

µm = micrometer ## Footnote * a measure of distance smaller than a meter * µm = 0.000001

Question 94

Explain how to combine the basic unit and prefix below to describe quantities. km/hr

Answer 94

km/hr = kilometers per hour ## Footnote * how many kilometers an object has traveled in an hour

Question 95

Explain how to combine the basic unit and prefix below to describe quantities. g/cm³

Answer 95

g/cm^{3 = grams per cubic dentimeters} ## Footnote * how many grams fill in a cubed centimeter

Question 96

Explain how to combine the basic unit and prefix below to describe quantities. m/s²

Answer 96

m/s² = meters per second squared ## Footnote * how many meters an object accelerates every second per second (it doubles every second)

Question 97

Define pH and explain what it means.

Answer 97

pH = a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is * pH \< 7 = acid * pH \> 7 = base * pH = 7 is neutral