Chapter 1 - About Science Flashcards
What is a fact?
Close agreement by competent observers who make a series of observations of the same phenomenon.
Describe the Scientific Method
Recognize a problem, make an educated guess (hypothesis), predict the consequences, test the predictions with experiments, and formulate the simplest general rule that organizes these ingredients.
What is a hypothesis?
It is an educated guess that is not fully accepted until demonstrated by experiment.
When hypotheses about the relationship among natural phenomenon are tested over and over again and not contradicted, what do they become?
Scientific law or principle
In everyday speech, the word “theory” can mean a guess. How is a scientific theory different?
A scientific theory is backed by a large body of data from repeated testing and verification of a hypothesis.
When must a hypothesis, law, or principle be changed or abandoned?
When a scientist finds evidence that contradicts it.
How do you know if a hypothesis is scientific?
There must be a test for proving it wrong.
What is the difference between science and technology?
Science is a method of answering theoretical questions; technology is a method of solving practical problems.
How does progress today differ from progress thousands of years ago?
It is much quicker.
Is the refinement of scientific theories a strength or a weakness?
Strength. When contradictory evidence arises, the theory can be changed and improved allowing for more accurate predictions of future outcomes.
