Measurement and Representing Data

Question 1

What is a metric thermometer used for?

Answer 1

Used to measure temperature (Celsius)

Question 2

What is a triple beam balance used for?

Answer 2

Used to measure mass of an object (g)

Question 3

What is a graduated cylinder used for?

Answer 3

Used to measure volume of a liquid (ml)

Question 4

What is a metric ruler used for?

Answer 4

Used to measure length, height, width (cm)

Question 5

What does accuracy mean?

Answer 5

Depends on the difference between a measurement and an actual value. The smaller the difference, the more accurate the measurement.

Question 6

What does precise mean?

Answer 6

The exactness and consistency of measurements.

Question 7

What do you do when using measurement in a scientific investigation?

Answer 7

When you do a scientific investigation, it is important that your methods, observations, and data be both precise and accurate.

Question 8

What is data?

Answer 8

Facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observations and experimentation.

Question 9

What is quantitative data?

Answer 9

Information that can be measured and expresses numerically, meaning it is represented by numbers and can be counted or quantified, allowing for statistical analysis; essentially, it answers questions like “how many” or “how much” about a given phenomenon.

Question 10

What is qualitative data?

Answer 10

Descriptive information that captures qualities or characteristics through words and narratives often gathered through observations, essentially, it describes “what” rather than “how much.” Example: customer feedback

Question 11

What is a data table?

Answer 11

An organized way for scientists to record the data that they collect (like you did in the Indiana Dunes). Data tables are not randomly constructed; they have at least two columns or rows ( X and Y) and specific data entered into each call and / row with units of measure in the table must have a title.

Question 12

What graphs are and their purpose?

Answer 12

A visual representation of data collected. Used to show relationships between two variables in a way that is often easier to understand.

Question 13

What is a bar graph used for?

Answer 13

Used to display and compare data in a number of separate categories.

Question 14

What is a line graph used for?

Answer 14

Used to display trends over time or continuous change over time.

Question 15

What is an independent variable?

Answer 15

Data displayed on the horizontal axis or “X” axis. This is the variable that is deliberately manipulated in an investigation or survey. Examples: flavor of ice cream.

Question 16

What is a dependent variable?

Answer 16

Data displayed on the vertical axis or “Y” axis. This is the variable that changes as a result of the manipulation of one or more independent variables. Example: amounts.

Question 17

What is range?

Answer 17

The difference between the highest and lowest value for a given variable (connected to scale).

Question 18

What is a circle graph or pie chart used for?

Answer 18

Used to show how each group of data relates to all of the data.

Question 19

What will help you while constructing a graph?

Answer 19

The acronym T.A.I.L.S will help you remember the components all graphs are required to have.

Question 20

What does T stand for and what it does or helps with?

Answer 20

T- Title- This tells the reader what the graph is about.

Question 21

What does A stand for and what it does or helps with?

Answer 21

A- Axes (Axis)- These are the lines the data is placed on.

Question 22

What does I stand for and what it does or helps with?

Answer 22

I- Intervals- The space between each value on your axes.

Question 23

What does L stand for and what it does or helps with?

Answer 23

L- Labels- These identify what type of data are on the X and Y axes.

Question 23

What does S stand for and what it does or helps with?

Answer 23

S- Scale- The largest data point should fall in the top 1/4 of your graph. (Tied to planning your Intervals.)

Question 24

What is the purpose of a model in science?

Answer 24

Models can represent things that are too small to see, such as atoms. They can represent things that are too large to see fully, such as the earth. Models can be used to help explain the past and the present. They can even be used to predict future events.

Question 25

What is a model?

Answer 25

A representation of an object or a process that allows scientists to study something in greater detail. A model uses something familiar to help you understand something that is not familiar.

Question 26

What are the two types of models?

Answer 26

Physical models and mathematical models.

Question 27

What are physical models?

Answer 27

Models that you can touch. These models often look like the thing they represent. Example: globe

Question 28

What are mathematical models?

Answer 28

Models made up of mathematical equations or data. Some mathematical models are simple and some are so complex that computers are needed to process them.

Question 29

What is an example of a simple model (mathematical)?

Answer 29

Would be how far a car will travel in an hour.

Question 30

What is an example of a complex model (mathematical)?

Answer 30

Would be population growth.

Question 31

What are benefits to models?

Answer 31

In addition to allowing scientists to work with things that are too small or too large, models also allow scientists to change variables without affecting or harming the subject that they are studying.

Question 32

What are limitations of models?

Answer 32

All models are limited because they are simplified versions of systems that they attempt to explain. Simplification quotation makes a model easy to understand and use. However, information is left out when models are made.