Science Skills

Question 1

Define an independent variable

Answer 1

The one variable that you change

Question 2

Define a dependant variable

Answer 2

The variable that you measure

Question 3

Define a control variable

Answer 3

Any variable you keep the same to make it a fair test

Question 4

Define directly proportional

Answer 4

If one variable increases the other variable increases at the same rate. eg if x doubles then y must double

Question 5

Define inversely proportional

Answer 5

If one variable increases the other variable decreases at the same rate. eg if x doubles then y must halve

Question 6

How would you describe a line graph that does not pass through the origin?

Answer 6

A linear graph

Question 7

Define an anomalous result

Answer 7

An result which does fit the pattern or trend

Question 8

Define interval

Answer 8

The spacing between measurements eg 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 cm would have an interval of 10

Question 9

Define range

Answer 9

The maximum and minimum values eg 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 would have a range of 50 - 0 cm

Question 10

Define resolution

Answer 10

The smallest change that can be measured with a particular piece of equipment

Question 11

How can the uncertainty in a measurement be measured?

Answer 11

Half of the range

Question 12

When should you draw a line graph

Answer 12

When both variables are continuous

Question 13

When should you draw a bar graph

Answer 13

If one of the variables is discrete or categoric

Question 14

Define a continuous variable

Answer 14

Can be recored as any number eg time, mass, volume

Question 15

Define a discrete variable

Answer 15

Can be recored only as a certain values eg number of goals in a match, shoe size

Question 16

Define a catergoric variable

Answer 16

Is recored in words instead of numbers eg colours or types of metal

Question 17

What does repeatable mean?

Answer 17

Measurements are repeatable when repetition, under the same conditions by the same investigator, gives similar results.

Question 18

What does reproducible mean?

Answer 18

Measurements are reproducible if similar results are obtained by different investigators with different equipment.

Question 19

What is meant by random error?

Answer 19

Measurements are affected by random error due to results varying in unpredictable ways; these errors can be reduced by making more measurements and reporting a mean value.

Question 20

What is meant by systematic error?

Answer 20

Systematic error is due to measurement results differing from the true value by a consistent amount each time.

Question 21

What is callibration?

Answer 21

Checking an instrument is displaying a known value i.e ice melts at 0 degrees.

Question 22

What is parallax error?

Answer 22

Parallax error is caused by a scientist not reading the measurement at eye level

Question 23

What is peer review?

Answer 23

Where other scientists check data/theories before they are published.

Question 24

Publications in the media are not subjected to peer review - this often means that the reports are?

Answer 24

Oversimplified, inaccurate or biased

Question 25

What prefix does k represent?

Answer 25

kilo - x 1,000

Question 26

What prefix does G represent?

Answer 26

Giga - x 1,000,000,000

Question 27

What prefix does lowercase m represent?

Answer 27

milli - divide by 1,000

Question 28

What prefix does captial m represent?

Answer 28

mega - x 1,000,000

Question 29

What letter is used to represent the prefix micro?

Answer 29

? - divide by 1,000,0000

Question 30

What prefix does captial n represent?

Answer 30

nano - divide by 1,000,000,000

Question 31

What does accurate mean?

Answer 31

An accurate measurement is one that is close to the true value.

Question 32

What does precision mean?

Answer 32

Measurements are precise if they cluster closely.

Question 33

What equation represents a linear graph?

Answer 33

y = mx + c

Question 34

Why is perception of risk often very different than measured risk?

Answer 34

Could be influences such as familiar vs unfamiliar risk, visible vs invisble hazards, voluntary vs imposed risks.

Question 35

What does order or magnitude mean?

Answer 35

To the nearest power of ten - e.g a roof is closer to 10 m long than 100 m long or 1 m long