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Nature of Science Terms > Nature of Science Terms > Flashcards

Nature of Science Terms Flashcards

Mastery of Nature of Science Vocabulary Definitions

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1
Q

constants

A

factors in an experiment that remain the same.

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2
Q

control group

A

the part of an experiment that contains the same factors as the experimental group, but the independent variable is not changed.

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3
Q

dependent variable

A

the factor measured or observed during an experiment.

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4
Q

hypothesis

A

a possible explanation about an observation that can be tested by scientific investigation.

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5
Q

independent variable

A

the factor that is changed by the investigator to observe how it affects a dependent variable.

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6
Q

observation

A

the act of using one or more of your senses to gather information and take note of what occurs.

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7
Q

qualitative data

A

the use of words to describe what is observed in an experiment.

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8
Q

quantitative data

A

the use of numbers to describe what is observed in an experiment.

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9
Q

scientific law

A

a rule that describes a pattern in nature.

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10
Q

scientific theory

A

an explanation of observations or events based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations.

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11
Q

constraints

A

limitations put on the design of a solution.

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12
Q

cost-benefit analysis

A

a process of comparing the predicted benefits and costs of a solution.

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13
Q

criteria

A

requirements or specifications for a solution to be successful.

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14
Q

engineering

A

the application of science and mathematics to solve problems.

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15
Q

engineering design process

A

a series of steps used to find the solution to specific problems.

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16
Q

prototype

A

a model that is used to test a design.

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17
Q

accuracy

A

a description of how close a measurement is to an accepted value.

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18
Q

cost effectiveness

A

the degree to which something produces benefits compared to its cost.

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19
Q

credibility

A

the confidence that can be placed in the truth of scientific findings.

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20
Q

trade-off

A

a situation in which you must choose between two things, giving up one in exchange for the other.

21
Q

significant digits

A

numbers that convey the meaning according to its accuracy.

22
Q

scientific abstract

A

a quick overview of a scientific paper that summarizes what was done and learned in an investigation.

23
Q

anomalous data

A

rare events, items, or observations in a data set that are suspicious because they differ significantly from standard behaviors or patterns.

24
Q

line of best fit

A

a line drawn onto a scatter plot that shows the mathematical relationship between the variables in the form of an equation.

25
Q

error

A

differences between observed values and what is true in nature.

26
Q

percentage error

A

measures the difference between an observed value and a theoretical value as a percentage of that theoretical value.

27
Q

random error

A

measurements that differ from the true value inconsistently that are caused by slight fluctuations in an instrument, the environment, or the way a measurement is read that are different every time.

28
Q

systematic error

A

measurements that are consistently different from the true value in nature, often due to limitations of either the instruments or the procedure.

29
Q

superstition

A

a belief or way of behaving that is based on fear of the unknown and the view that the world is inherently unpredictable and unexplainable by logical methodologies.

30
Q

international system of units

A

a system of physical units that are based on powers of ten that are used by scientists around the world. Also called the “Metric System”

31
Q

meter

A

SI unit for distance, that was originally based on the distance from the equator to the north pole

32
Q

gram

A

SI unit for mass, based on the mass of 1cm3 of pure water.

33
Q

liter

A

SI unit for volume, equal in size to a cube 10cm x 10cm x 10 cm.

34
Q

kelvin

A

SI unit for temperature, uses degrees that are equal in size to the celsius scale but with zero set to the lowest possible temperature in the universe.

35
Q

celsius

A

A commonly used temperature system used by scientists, zero degrees is the temperature at which water freezes and 100 degrees is the temperature at which water boils.

36
Q

newton

A

SI unit for force, equal to the strength of a push required to accelerate a 1 kg object at a rate of 1 m/s2

37
Q

mean

A

The mathematical average of a set of data, calculated by adding all values together and dividing by the number of values there were.

38
Q

median

A

The middle number in a set of data that has been ordered from lowest to highest.

39
Q

outlier

A

an observation that lies an abnormal distance from other values in a random sample from other values in a data set.

40
Q

repetition

A

when someone conducts multiple trials of their same experiment to reduce the effect of errors.

41
Q

replication

A

when a different scientist conducts another scientist’s procedure and observes whether the prior finding is the same or different.

42
Q

scientific model

A

a physical and/or mathematical and/or conceptual representation of a system of ideas, events or processes.

43
Q

objective

A

an attempt to uncover truths about the natural world by eliminating personal biases, emotions, and false beliefs.

44
Q

subjective

A

centered on a person’s own mind and perspectives, as opposed to being general, universal, or scientific.

45
Q

empirical evidence

A

information gathered directly or indirectly through observation or experimentation that is replicably obtained.

46
Q

second

A

SI unit for time, this is the only SI unit that is not based on the power of ten.

47
Q

milli-

A

SI prefix meaning 1/1000th.

48
Q

centi-

A

SI prefix meaning 1 /100th.

49
Q

kilo-

A

SI prefix meaning 1000.

Nature of Science Terms (1 decks)

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