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Integrated Natural Science > Module 1: Scientific Concepts and Methodologies > Flashcards

Module 1: Scientific Concepts and Methodologies Flashcards

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1
Q

Define Science

A

a systematic way of learning about the world hat relies on observation, evidence and objective investigation

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2
Q

Define Observation

A

information gathered about the natural world using tools or human senses

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3
Q

Define Hypothesis

A

a prediction about the outcome of a scientific investigation; a proposed explanation for an aspect of the natural world

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4
Q

Define Prediction

A

a guess about what will happen

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5
Q

Define Conclusion

A

an inference or summary of the meaning of the results of a scientific investigation

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6
Q

Define Reproducible Results

A

a result of a scientific investigation that has been replicated by others

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7
Q

Define Experiment

A

a scientific investigation in which a scientist manipulates one or more conditions to see the results

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8
Q

Define Controlled Experiment

A

an experiment in which one condition is allowed to vary and all others are kept constant

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9
Q

Define Independent Variable

A

in a controlled experiment, the condition that the scientist changes on purpose

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10
Q

Define Dependent Variable

A

in a controlled experiment, the condition that the scientist observes to see the effects of changing the independent variable

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11
Q

Define Controlled Variable

A

a condition that is kept the same throughout an experiment

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12
Q

Define Field Study

A

a scientific investigation that is not conducted in a laboratory setting

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13
Q

Define Model

A

a representation of an aspect of the natural world

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14
Q

Define Computational World

A

a model created or designed using computers

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15
Q

Define Fact

A

an observation or phenomenon that all competent observers agree on

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16
Q

Define Law

A

a well-tested, well-supported description of an aspect of the natural world

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17
Q

Define Theory

A

a well-tested, well-supported, broad explanation for all available observations and data

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18
Q

Define Evidence

A

data or observations that support or refute a scientific claim

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19
Q

Define Reductionist Approach

A

an approach to studying a system in which the focus is on each part of the system in isolation

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20
Q

Define Systems Approach

A

an approach to styling a system in which the focus in on the system as a whole and the interactions between the parts of the system

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21
Q

Define Technology

A

the application of science to fulfill a need or address a problem

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22
Q

Define the Scientific Method

A

a method of procedure that includes Asking a question, Making a prediction (hypothesis), Conducting an investigation, Making observations, Analyzing data, Drawing conclusions, and Trying to reproduce the results.

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23
Q

Explain how the Scientific Method is used in the process of science to solve problems.

A

Not all investigations use a linear path with the steps of the Scientific Method to come to a conclusion. There may be times steps are skipped and other times steps are repeated.

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24
Q

Define Observation and give an example.

A

Definition: information gathered

Example:

  1. I see there are shopping carts in the parking lot.
  2. Fewer carts were in parking areas in the area around the corral than in areas further from the corral.
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25
Q

Define Question and give an example.

A

Definition: what you want to know

Example: How can we discourage people from leaving carts in the parking lot?

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26
Q

Define Hypothesis and give an example.

A

Definition: prediction about what will happen

Example: Providing a location to return the shopping carts will reduce the number of carts in the parking areas.

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27
Q

Define Prediction and give an example.

A

Definition: a guess about what will happen

Example: I think there will be less shopping carts in the parking areas if there are more corrals placed across the parking lot.

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28
Q

Define Reproducible Results and give an example.

A

Definition: whether the results can be replicated

Example: performing the experiment at another location or using the same location just at a different time of year

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29
Q

Define Conclusion and give an example.

A

Definition: inference about the results

Example: People are more likely to return shopping carts if return areas are convenient.

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30
Q

Discuss the role of creativity in each step of the Scientific Method:

  1. Question
  2. Hypothesis
  3. Investigation
  4. Observation
  5. Conclusion
  6. Replication
A
  1. Question - creativity will help in figuring how to ask a question or what question to ask; helping to think of new ideas
  2. Hypothesis - you have to imagine what might happen and what the possible outcomes might be; there can be many ways of looking at something, so there may be many ideas of what would happen and the outcomes and choosing the most likely
  3. Investigation - may need to be creative in building new tools or equipment to help
  4. Observation - thinking of ways (possible new ways) to observe and collect data
  5. Conclusion - there may be many ways of looking at the outcomes and interpreting the data; might lead to hew questions, theories, and methods
  6. Replication - think creatively about how to test results and analyze the reproducibility; figuring out possible explanations if results can’t be replicated
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31
Q

Explain how Galileo challenged Aristotle’s belief that heavy objects fall faster than lighter objects. Consider how Galileo’s actions were related to the scientific method.

A

Galileo actually experimented with different objects to try to verify Aristotle’s beliefs. He took two cannonballs of different weights and observed them falling at the same rate. Aristotle believed heavier objects fell faster than lighter ones but never experimented to find out for sure.

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32
Q

In a scientific investigation, a hypothesis is:

  1. the second step in the investigation
  2. an explanation for the results gathered in the investigation
  3. data collected to test the scientific question
  4. a testable prediction about the outcome of the investigation
A
  1. a testable prediction about the outcome of the investigation
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33
Q

Which of the following is NOT a part of the scientific method?

  1. collecting information using tools or the senses
  2. making educated guesses about what will happen
  3. changing or ignoring data what do not agree with your prediction
  4. thinking creatively about how to answer a question
A
  1. changing or ignoring data what do not agree with your prediction
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34
Q

Which of the following is NOT an example of using scientific methods to answer a question? (think of Aristotle)

  1. drawing a conclusion based entirely on logical reasoning
  2. observing a natural system to figure out how it works
  3. collecting data to determine whether a prediction is accurate
  4. repeating an experiment to see if you get the same results
A
  1. drawing a conclusion based entirely on logical reasoning
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35
Q

Controlled Science Experiment

-identify and discuss important considerations when designing a controlled science experiment

A

the researcher keeps everything the same except for the one condition that they change on purpose; they can be sure the many differences in the results are only the results of the condition they changed

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36
Q
  • Independent Variable*
  • identify and discuss important considerations when designing a controlled science experiment
A

what we are changing on purpose; what we’re manipulating because we think it will affect the results

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37
Q

Dependent Variable

-identify and discuss important considerations when designing a controlled science experiment

A

what we think will depend on the independent variable; what we’ll observe or measure to see the affects of changing the independent variable

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38
Q

Controlled Variable

-identify and discuss important considerations when designing a controlled science experiment

A

all the conditions have to be kept exactly the same throughout the experiment; these are important because they isolate affects of a single variable or condition; helps ensure results are caused by that independent variable and not by some other factor

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39
Q

Reference the attached image. Describe what an independent variable, dependent variable and a controlled variable are in relation to this scenario.

A
  • Independent Variable - the angle of the ramp
  • Dependent Variable - the distance the ball rolls off the ramp
  • Controlled Variable - the type of ball, ramp material, floor material, height of the ramp
40
Q

Explain the importance of having reproducible results in scientific experiments.

A

It helps eliminate the effects of bias and random chance; if we don’t have any results to compare to the original test, there’s no way to know whether the results are accurate or not.

41
Q

Define and give an example of a Field Study.

A

Definition: an investigation outside of a laboratory setting; less control but more realistic environment

Example: taking samples from an underwater reef

42
Q

Define and give an example of Computational Modeling.

A

Definition: representation of some aspect of the natural world; developed mathematically on a computer

Example: models for traffic light timings, weather forecasts, utilities companies using them to predict demand for power or water

43
Q

Which of these scientific investigations would be most appropriate as a field study?

  1. determining how a new antibiotic affects bacterial cells in a Petri dish
  2. calculating how long it takes volcanic ash to move through the atmosphere
  3. measuring how hot a rock needs to get before it melts
  4. observing how coral interact with parrotfish
A
  1. observing how coral interact with parrotfish
44
Q

A farmer wants to figure out which brand of fertilizer will produce the largest tomato yield. In a controlled experiment to answer this question, what would be the most appropriate independent variable?

  1. type of tomato plant
  2. type of fertilizer
  3. amount of fertilizer
  4. tomato yield
A
  1. type of fertilizer
45
Q

Which of the following questions could not be answered with a controlled experiment?

  1. What kinds of minerals form at a volcano?
  2. How does increasing temperature affect the rate of a chemical reaction?
  3. Which type of food helps mice grow fastest?
  4. How does adding salt to water affect how long it takes the water to freeze?
A
  1. What kinds of minerals form at a volcano?
46
Q

Describe the principle of Falsifiability.

A

There has to be a way at least in principle to prove that a hypothesis is false; that doesn’t mean that it actually has to be false, just that there has to be possible a way that we could demonstrate that it’s false.

Example:

    • “Invisible forces made me cut my hair.” (not falsifiable)
    • “Heavier balls roll faster down inclines.” (falsifiable)
47
Q

Define and give an example of a Fact.

A

Definition: a phenomenon about which competent observers can agree; anyone who is observing the phenomenon will observe the same thing; also called observations or data; not open to interpretation or analysis

Example: water is liquid at room temperature and pressure; sun appears to rise over the horizon in the east

48
Q

Define and give an example of a Hypothesis.

A

Definition: a prediction about the outcome of a scientific investigation

Example: “Heavier balls roll faster down inclines.”

49
Q

Define and give an example of a Theory.

A

Definition: a broad synthesis of information about the natural world that explains all of our available observations; well-tested, well-accepted explanation for natural phenomenon; explains why we observe what we observe

Example: Einstein’s theory of general relativity explains why there is a gravitational force between masses

50
Q

Define and give an example of a Law.

A

Definition: a general hypothesis or description of a natural process that’s supported by all available observations and data; describes how the natural world behaves

Example: Newton’s laws of motion describe how objects respond to forces

51
Q

Explain the importance of using evidence to evaluate scientific claims. Describe how such evidence can be used to either support or refute scientific claims.

A

Observations can provide evidence that a claim is valid or invalid. If the data supports the claim, they provide evidence that the claim is valid. If the data refutes the claim, they provide evidence that the hypothesis or claim is not valid. The more data that supports the idea, the more valid the idea’s considered to be.

52
Q

The Big Bang Theory is an important unifying idea in astronomy. What must be true of the Big Bang Theory?

  1. It can expalin all available evidence and observations.
  2. It allows scientists to make predictions about the natural world.
  3. It is a testable, falsifiable set of ideas.
  4. All of the above are true.
A
  1. All of the above are true.
53
Q

How is a scientific hypothesis different from a sientific theory?

  1. A hypothesis is supported by more ovservations than a theory is.
  2. A hypothesis is broader than a theory is.
  3. A hypothesis is tentative, but a theory is well accepted.
  4. A hypothesis is based on facts, but a theory is a guess.
A
  1. A hypothesis is tentative, but a theory is well accepted.
54
Q

Which of the following is true of a scientific theory, but is not true of a scientific law?

  1. explains natural phenomena
  2. based on personal opinion
  3. testable
  4. supported by evidence
A
  1. explains natural phenomena
55
Q

Explain how a sytems approach might be helpful in studying science.

A

Studying the stystem as a whole and the interactions between its componenets gives a better understanding to the system as a whole and not isolate parts. By isolating certain elements of a system to study them, you may change behavior, characteristics, etc and not get an accurate observation of how the system works with all parts in its natural setting.

56
Q

Identify ways in which science and technology are similar and different.

A

Similar:The goal of science is the pursuit of knowledge for its own sake while the goal of technology is to create products that solve problems and improve human life. They rely on each other.

Different: technology is the result of scientific labor; technology is geared towards realworld application and execution, whereas science is geared more toward a laboratory setting but technology allows it in a real world setting

57
Q

Which of the following is the best example of a systems approach to studying the natural world?

  1. measuring the height of an oak tree
  2. studying how well a new kind of wireconducts electricity
  3. observing how wolves hunt elk
  4. determining the structure of a cell protein
A
  1. observing how wolves hunt elk
58
Q

A systems approach would be most useful for studying which of the following systems?

  1. a cell phone
  2. a thermostat
  3. a car
  4. a forest
A
  1. a forest
59
Q

Which is an example of a scientific discovery leading to a new technology?

  1. sonar allowing us to determine the structure of the ocean floor
  2. identification of the celectron allowing for the development of electricity
  3. computers being used to analyze human genetic information
  4. people collaborating online to map the surface of the moon
A
  1. identification of the celectron allowing for the development of electricity
60
Q

Define Biology.

A

study of living organisms, divided into many specialized fields that cover their morphology, physiology, anatomy, behavior, origin and distribution

61
Q

Define Chemistry.

A

all about looking at atoms and molecules and how they interact with each other

62
Q

Define Physics.

A

all about forces in energy and motion and calculating those things; calculating trajectories and figuring out the forces that would be involved

63
Q

Define Geology.

A

all about land forms and the movements of these landforms; study of rocks

64
Q

Define Astronomy.

A

the study of stars, planets, moons and objects beyond the sphere of the earth; how these objects move, their rotations, orbits and how they interact with each other with their gravity

65
Q

Explain why an integrated approach is useful in learning more about our natural world.

A

Scientists integrate their knowledge with knowledge from other fields to develop a bigger, fuller picture of what’s going on in and around us and enable us to make technological advances like traveling to the moon.

66
Q

Identify examples of questions that science can answer, and examples of questions that science cannot answer.

A

CAN Answer:

  • How many Western Sage Grouse currently live in Utah?
  • What type of habitat do Sage Grouse need to thrive?
  • How do male Sage Grouse attract mates?

CANNOT Answer: (morals and human values)

  • Should Sage Grouse be protected as an endangered species?
  • HOw do we protect the rights of owners of land including Sage Grouse habitat?
67
Q

Explain how science differs from art and religion.

A
  • Science - asks how; is measurable, it’s quantitative, it’s repeatable, it’s based on physical natural phenomenon
  • Religion - asks why; along the lines of moral and human values; not measurable or quantitative
  • Art - expresses aesthetics; based onpersonal preferences
68
Q

Which of the following fields of study is concerned with the formation of rocks and the landforms found on the surface of the Earth?

  1. Biology
  2. Chemistry
  3. Physics
  4. Geology
  5. Astronomy
A
  1. Geology
69
Q

Which is an advantage of using an integrated approach to the study of science?

  1. It enables us to see connections among different fields
  2. It provides a more complete understanding of the concepts being studied
  3. It enables us to see how systems, as a whole, function
  4. All of the above
A
  1. All of the above
70
Q

Which is an example of a question that is appropriately addressed by science?

  1. What is the purpose of human life?
  2. Which painting in the Museum of Modern Art is the most beautiful?
  3. How do Whooping Cranes navigate as they migrate south in the fall?
  4. Should wolves be reintroduced to areas outside Yellowstone National Park?
A
  1. How do Whooping Cranes navigate as they migrate south in the fall?
71
Q

What is the equation for work?

A

Work = Force x Distance W = F x D

  • work = force applied over some distance
72
Q

Using an example of a simple machine such as a lever, describe how the force and distance input are different than the force and distance output.

A

A lever can help us do work by reducing the amount of force we have to put in and spreading it out over a longer distance.

Example: instead of dead lifting a giant wheel of cheese 1 meter in the air, use a lever to push the cheese up

**in this case pushing is easier than lifting, exerting less force pushing down than ou would be exerting more force by lifitng up (make your job and life more simple)

73
Q

Explain why simple machines cannot reduce the total amount of work that is done to move an object.

A

The work will always need to be done. There is no way to decrease the amount of work, but you can help yourself get the work done by decreasing the amount of force you apply to it and possibly how far you will need to go.

*_*Work smarter, not harder!!**_

74
Q

Which accurately describes the advantage of using simple machines such as a lever?

  1. Simple Machines reduce the amount of work input.
  2. Simple Machines reduce the amount of distance input.
  3. Simple Machines reduce the amount of force input.
A
  1. Simple Machines reduce the amount of force input.
75
Q

In order to decrease the amount of force that must be applied to move an object, a simple machine:

  1. increases the distance over which the force must be applied
  2. decreases teh amount of work that must be done to move the object
  3. decreases the distance over which the force must be applied
  4. increases the amount of work that must be done to move the object
A
  1. increases the distance over which the force must be applied
76
Q

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it:

Gram (g)

A

Measurement: Mass

Use: to know how much matter an object has; not weight (the force of gravity on the object)

  • how much matter is in an object
77
Q

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it:

Second (s)

A

Measurement: Time

Use: gives us a frame of measurement to accomplish tasks

78
Q

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it:

Meter (m)

A

Measurement: Length

Use: tells us how far to go; how long items need to be to craft something

79
Q

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it:

Kelvin (K)

A

Measurement: Temperature

Use: if you know temperature, then you know if something might be dangerous, or if it will give you desired outcome like food

80
Q

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it:

Degree Celsius (C)

A

Measurement: Temperature

Use: if you know temperature, then you know if something might be dangerous, or if it will give you desired outcome like food

81
Q

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it:

Liter (L)

A

Measurement: Volume

Use: how much a container can hold

82
Q

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it:

Joule (J)

A

Measurement: Energy

Use: to know how much you need to expend to accomplish tasks

83
Q

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it:

Watt (W)

A

Measurement: Power

Use: if you use too much power you may not ahve any left over to do anything else

  • the rate of energy used
84
Q

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it:

Newton (N)

A

Measurement: Force

Use: to know how much needs to be exerted to get a task done

85
Q

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it:

Ohm (Ω)

A

Measurement: Electrical Resistance

Use: if any item can’t take a lot of resistance it can break

86
Q

Identify what this term measures and give an example of a use for it:

Volt (V)

A

Measurement: Eletrical Potential

Use: need to know how much volts devices can take to work properly and not break

87
Q

Identify the power of ten associated with provided metric prefix:

Nano (n)

A

Nano (n) = 10-9

88
Q

Identify the power of ten associated with provided metric prefix:

Micro (µ)

A

Micro (µ) = 10-6

89
Q

Identify the power of ten associated with provided metric prefix:

Centi (c)

A

Centi (c) = 10-2

90
Q

Identify the power of ten associated with provided metric prefix:

Milli (m)

A

Milli (m) = 10-3

91
Q

Identify the power of ten associated with provided metric prefix:

Kilo (k)

A

Kilo (k) = 103

92
Q

Explain how to combine the basic unit and prefix below to describe quantities.

mV

A

mV = millivolt

  • a measure of voltage that is smaller than a volt
  • 1 mV = 0.001
93
Q

Explain how to combine the basic unit and prefix below to describe quantities.

µm

A

µm = micrometer

  • a measure of distance smaller than a meter
  • µm = 0.000001
94
Q

Explain how to combine the basic unit and prefix below to describe quantities.

km/hr

A

km/hr = kilometers per hour

  • how many kilometers an object has traveled in an hour
95
Q

Explain how to combine the basic unit and prefix below to describe quantities.

g/cm3

A

g/cm3 = grams per cubic dentimeters

  • how many grams fill in a cubed centimeter
96
Q

Explain how to combine the basic unit and prefix below to describe quantities.

m/s2

A

m/s2 = meters per second squared

  • how many meters an object accelerates every second per second (it doubles every second)
97
Q

Define pH and explain what it means.

A

pH = a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is

  • pH < 7 = acid
  • pH > 7 = base
  • pH = 7 is neutral

Integrated Natural Science (10 decks)

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