01 Natural Science Concepts

Question 1

How does Science work?

Answer 1

• Fundamental knowledge
• built on scientific evidence
• and verified findings

Question 2

Observing and predicting in science

Answer 2

• Make an observation.
• Ask a question about your observation.
• Predict and work out a hypothesis, which is a testable guess of the answer to your question.
• This is a likely answer to a scientific question often including cause and effect.

Question 3

Investigating in science

Answer 3

• Design and carry out an experiment/investigation
• a scientific test of your hypothesis

Question 4

Main way of communicating findings in science

Answer 4

• Once scientists have done their investigation using the scientific method,
• they have a standard way to write about their investigation called a scientific report.
• This makes it easier for other scientists to understand the science done.

Question 5

Comparing and Contrasting

Answer 5

• When you examine two objects for similarities and differences
• Comparing involves identifying similarities, or common characteristics.
• Contrasting involves identifying differences.

Question 6

Applying Concepts

Answer 6

• When you use your knowledge about one situation to make sense of a similar situation
• Being able to transfer your knowledge from one situation to another

Question 7

Interpreting Illustrations

Answer 7

• To understand an illustration, take the time to study the illustration along with all the written information that accompanies it.
• Captions identify the key concepts shown in the illustration.
• Labels point out the important parts of a diagram or map,
• Keys identify the symbols used in a map

Question 8

Relating Cause and Effect

Answer 8

• If one event causes another event to occur
• When you determine that such a relationship exists between two events

Question 9

Making generalizations

Answer 9

• When you draw a conclusion about an entire group based on information about only some of the group’s members
• For a generalization to be valid, the sample you choose must be large enough and representative of the entire group.

Question 10

Making Judgments

Answer 10

• When you evaluate something to decide whether it is good or bad, or right or wrong
• Before you make a judgment, you need to think through the pros and cons of a situation
• identify the values or standards that you hold.

Question 11

Problem Solving

Answer 11

• when you use critical-thinking skills to resolve an issue or decide on a course of action
• strategies include making models
• and brainstorming possible solutions with a partner.

Question 12

A hypothesis

Answer 12

• The answer to a scientific question.
• A hypothesis states a cause and effect relationship.
• E.g. good study habits improve your marks

Question 13

Testing a hypothesis

Answer 13

• Turn a hypothesis into a prediction
• written in the format of an “If”… “then” … “because”… statement
• It needs to be a testable statement

Question 14

An experiment should be designed so that it is reliable

Answer 14

• You need to come up with clear steps to follow that are repeatable.
• You must carefully make measurements and collect data precisely and accurately.
• You need to repeat the experiment a number of times.

Question 15

Ensure your experiment is valid and fair.

Answer 15

• Consider three kinds of variables: the independent, dependent and fixed variables
• carefully control necessary variables

Question 16

Independent variable

Answer 16

• The input or manipulated variable,
• The thing you choose to change in the investigation to cause an effect.

Question 17

Dependent variable

Answer 17

• The output or measured variable,
• The thing that was affected by the change you made.

Question 18

Fixed variables

Answer 18

• All other things that could have influenced the outcome
• These need to be kept the same throughout the experiment.

Question 19

Gather scientific results

Answer 19

• You need to know how to make measurements correctly
• You need to ensure that you handle the apparatus correctly and safely
• Organised in how you record the results e.g. tables

Question 20

Interpret science results

Answer 20

• Analyse the data e.g. by using graphs.
• Make meaning of the results.
• Think about whether your investigation is valid, fair and reliable and how you could improve it.

Question 21

Conclude science investigations

Answer 21

• Decide whether you can accept or reject your hypothesis.
• Think about further ideas to investigate.

Question 22

Main headings in a science report

Answer 22

• Title
• Introduction
• Method
• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusion
• References

Question 23

Science report introduction

Answer 23

• background info (referenced),
• aim and hypothesis

Question 24

Science report method

Answer 24

• Steps followed,
• Apparatus used,
• Variables described
• Safety precautions

Question 25

Science report results

Answer 25

• all data described
• and presented in tables
• and graphs

Question 26

Science method discussion

Answer 26

• analysis and meaning of results described
• and criticised

Question 27

Science report conclusion

Answer 27

• refer back to the hypothesis
• and make final suggestions

Question 28

Science report references

Answer 28

• Reference any background information and readings
• State where you got information from