Chapter 2: Principles of Science and Systems

Question 1

Accuracy

Answer 1

correctness of measurements

Question 2

Precision

Answer 2

Repeatability of results

Question 3

Deductive Reasoning

Answer 3

logical reasoning from general to specific

Ex: “All men are mortal. Harold is a man. Therefore, Harold is mortal.”

Question 4

Inductive Reasoning

Answer 4

Reasoning from many observations to produce a general rule

Ex: “The coin I pulled from the bag is a penny. That coin is a penny. A third coin from the bag is a penny. Therefore, all the coins in the bag are pennies.”

Question 5

Hypothesis

Answer 5

A testable explanation for cause of an observed phenomenon

Question 6

Scientific Theory

Answer 6

A description or explanation that has been supported by a large number of tests and is considered by experts to be reliable

Question 7

Observations

Answer 7

Recognizing and noting some fact to gather information about the world

Question 8

Qualitative

Answer 8

Made with human senses

Question 9

Quantitative

Answer 9

Empirical-count or take measurements

Question 10

Inferences

Answer 10

Educated guesses based on observations

Question 11

Dependent Variable

Answer 11

Affected by what happens to the independent variable: it is what is being measured

Question 12

Independent Variable

Answer 12

What gets manipulated

Question 13

Closed System

Answer 13

Self contained, exchanges no matter or energy with the outside

Question 14

Open System

Answer 14

Exchanges matter and energy from surroundings

Question 15

Equilibrium

Answer 15

Dynamic state in which system is stable over time(homeostasis)

Question 16

Disturbance

Answer 16

Periodic destructive events such as fire or flood

Question 17

Resilience

Answer 17

Ability of system to recover quickly from diturbance

Question 18

State Shift

Answer 18

A severe disturbance in which the system does not return to normal but instead results in significant changes in some of its state variables