SCIENCE HY Flashcards
(31 cards)
What is the main goal of scientific investigations?
To find answers to questions and solutions to problems.
What should you do before beginning a scientific investigation?
Make a prediction or state a hypothesis.
How do predictions help in science experiments?
They help guide the investigation and test scientific understanding.
What is a variable in a science experiment?
A factor that can change and affect the results of the experiment.
What makes an experiment a fair test?
Only one variable is changed (independent variable), and all others are kept the same (controlled variables).
What is the independent variable?
The variable that is intentionally changed in an experiment.
What are controlled variables?
Factors that are kept the same in an experiment to make it fair.
What is the dependent variable?
The variable that is measured and affected by the independent variable.
In the hypothesis “If salt is added to boiling water, then the boiling point will increase,” what is the independent variable?
The amount of salt added.
In the hypothesis “If salt is added to boiling water, then the boiling point will increase,” what is the dependent variable?
The boiling point of the water.
What does it mean if an experiment gives similar results when repeated?
The results are considered reliable.
Why do scientists repeat experiments?
To check for consistency and ensure the results are reliable.
What are qualitative observations?
Descriptions using words (e.g. rough, yellow, sour).
What is one key difference between science and pseudoscience?
Science relies on repeatable, controlled experiments; pseudoscience does not.
What are quantitative observations?
Observations that involve numbers and measurements (e.g. 3 cm, 27°C).
What are observations in science?
Information gathered using the senses during an experiment.
Can an inference be proven true?
Not always—it is likely to be true but not guaranteed.
Why are units of measurement important in science?
Without units, it’s unclear what was measured and makes results harder to compare.
Why is it important to use the same units in an experiment?
To avoid confusion and allow fair comparison of results.
What is an inference?
A logical explanation based on observations.
What must happen before making a inference?
The results must be reliable and consistent.
What are the two main parts of a scientific report?
The method/equipment used and the observations/results/conclusion.
Why are scientific reports important?
They document what was done and what was discovered in an experiment.
What are the 8 parts of a scientific report?
Title and Date
Aim
Hypothesis
Materials
Method
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
