Science Unit 1 Flashcards
The study of all living things, like plants, animals, and even single cell organisms
Life Science/Biology
Deals with Earth and space-things like planets, stars, and rocks. Studies nonliving things and their history
Earth Science
All about matter and energy, the most basic building blocks of the universe. It includes physics and chemistry
Physical Science
The strategy used for scientific investigations
Scientific Inquiry
A prediction or proposed explanation that can be tested
Hypothesis
Using all of your senses and scientific instruments to describe a thing or event
Observation
The findings of your scientific investigation
Conclusion
Information or data based on countable measurements of something
Quantitative
Information based on the qualities of something
Qualitative
A proposed explanation that has been extensively tested and is biased on many observations
Theory
A rule that describes how something in nature behaves, but not necessarily why it behave that way
Law
What are the three main branches of science, and what does each study?
Life science/biology is the study of living things, Earth science is the study of earth and space, and Physical science is the study of matter and energy
What are the basic steps of scientific inquiry?
Ask a question, do background research, make a hypothesis, test your hypothesis, analyze results, draw a conclusion, and share results. Or, if your hypothesis is proven false, make a new hypothesis and start again
What is a hypothesis?
It’s an educated prediction that can be tested.
If your observations do not support your hypothesis, what should you do?
Make a new hypothesis based on your observations and begin the process over again
How is evidence used in scientific investigations?
Evidence-observations and data-can either support or oppose a hypothesis
Compare and contrast a theory and a law.
A theory explains why something happens. A law identifies what happens in nature but doesn’t necessarily explain why it happens
What are models, and why are they used in science?
A model is a representation of something. Models are used in science to help us think about things that are difficult to observe in real life.
Give an example of a physical model, a computer model, and a mathematical model
Physical models-maps, globes, and dioramas
Computer models-3-d simulations of people or places and simulations of moving weather fronts
Mathematical models-equations, such as the equation of a line, and mathematical simulations, such as business proposals
A step-by-step list of how to carry out the experiment
Procedure
A trial where all the constant. A control is used as the standard of comparison for your experiment.
Control
All the variables in an experiment that remain the same
Constants
The variable that you change in an experiment on purpose
Independent Variable
The variable that is influenced by the independent variable, the results of your experiment
Dependent Variable
Present data in rows and columns
Tables
A graph showing the relationship between two variables-on plotted on the x-axis (the horizontal line), the other on the Y-axis (the vertical line).
Line Graphs
A type of line graph that shows the relationship between two sets of data.
Scatter Plot
A type of graph that presents the data as rectangles of different heights
Bar Graphs
A type of graph that looks like a pie cut into slices
Circle Graph (Pie Chart)
Using observations and facts, to reach a conclusion about something you may not have directly witnessed
Infer
A branch of science that studies the design. building, and use of machines and structures in order to invent new products that solve problems
Engineering
The requirements that an engineer must fulfill in his or her design
Design specs
Restrictions or limitations (can be physical, social, or financial)
Constraints
A preliminary model that can be easily adjusted
Prototype
Lets the reader know what the investigation was about
Title (Lab report)
A brief description to answer the question, “What was the purpose of doing this experiment?” or “What is the question I’m trying to answer?”
Purpose (Lab report)
Definitions of key words and explanation of key concepts
Background Information (Lab report)
The predictions you were testing
Hypothesis (Lab report)
A list of the materials and equipment necessary to carry out the experiment. You could even add a sketch or description of the setup
Materials & Equipment (Lab report)
A step-by-step description of how to carry out the experiment
Procedure (Lab report)
All the measurements and observations you made during the experiment.
Data (Lab report)
A summary of what you learned from the experiment, whether or not your results support your hypothesis, any errors, and questions for more experiments
Conclusion (Lab report)
How consistent and exact your measurements are
Precision
How close to the actual value your measurement is
Accuracy
A rough guess of a measurement using reason and observation
Estimation
Giving a number a nearby value
Rounding Numbers
Describe the difference between precision & accuracy
Precision is how consistent and exact a measurement is, while accuracy is how close to the actual or true value a measurement is
What does a hypothesis tell you in a lab report?
A hypothesis describes the predictions you were testing
What does a procedure tell you in a lab report?
A procedure is a list of the steps necessary to carry out the experiment
What should you include in a conclusion?
A summary of the results, a discussion of whether or not the data supported the hypothesis, errors, and questions for further investigation
Describe a situation where you would need to use estimation or round numbers.
Any situation where making an exact measurement isn’t possible, or if you are calculating a number with a repeating decimal
Define “Bias.”
A bias is having a special interest that prevents you from being objective or conducting a fair test of your hypothesis
Describe some reasons why you might be critical of scientific findings
The person or group conducting the experiment is biased, the data seems unreasonable, and/or the results aren’t replicable
Systeme Internationale
SI
The distance between two paints
Length
The amount of space something occupies
Volume
The amount of matter in a liquid, solid, or gas
Mass
The force exerted by a mass
Weight
The amount of matter in a volume
Density
How hot or cold something is
Temperature
The period between events, or how long something lasted
Time
Like a ruler, except it is 1 meter long
Meterstick
Measures long distances through a series of clicks
Trundle Wheel
For measuring distances that would be hard to measure using a meterstick or a trundle wheel, such as the distance around a round object
Tape Measure
A cylinder marked on the outside to indicate how much fluid it contains
Graduated Cylinder
The curved surface of a liquid in a tube
Meniscus
Measures mass by placing an object on a pan
Electronic Balance
Compares the weight of objects in pans on each side of a balance
Double Pan Balance
Like a Double Pan Balance but instead there is a pan on one side, and three beams, each with sliding weights on the other side
Triple Beam Balance
What are the SI units for mass, length, and temperature?
Grams, meters, kelvin
What tool would you use to measure the height of your dog?
A meterstick
Where do you look to take a volume reading of a liquid in a graduated cylinder?
The bottom of the meniscus
What is the easiest tool used to measure mass?
An electronic balance
How do you find the volume of a rectangular solid?
You measure the length, width, and height of an object. You then multiply all three numbers to find the volume of the object (volume = length x width x height).
Describe the difference between mass and weight.
Mass is the amount of matter in an object, and weight is the force applied by mass
Convert 50 centimeters to kilometers.
0.0005 kilometers
Define “volume” and list some common volumes measured.
Volume is the amount of space something occupies, such as the volume of liquid in a soft drink, the volume of a serving of cereal, or the volume of a backpack
If the boiling point of water in Celsius is 100 degrees, what is the boiling point in kelvin?
373.15 degrees kelvin
You place a paperclip in a cup of soda and it sinks. Which is denser-the paper clip or the soda? Would the paperclip most likely have a density of 2.8, 1.0, or 0.3 g/ml?
The paperclip is denser; 2.8 g/ml
Used if a chemical spills or splashes into your eye.
Eyewash
Used when handling hot beakers or equipment
Thermal Mitts or Tongs
Used to put out electrical, chemical, or gas fires
Fire Extinguisher
Used to smother small fires on people or surfaces
Fire Blanket
Used is a chemical is spilled and touches your skin either directly or through clothing
Shower
Waste: blood, mold, dead animals, animal waste, or any objects contaminated by these things
Biological Waste
Waste: anything poisonous, such as chemicals, solutions, or certain cleaning materials
Toxic Waste
Waste: anything contaminated by radiation, perhaps from lab or x-ray equipment
Radioactive Waste
Waste: things that can easily catch on fire such as gasoline, solvents, or alcohol
Flammable Waste
Waste: highly corrosive chemicals such as acids, bases, and old batteries
Corrosive Chemical Waste
Waste: broken glass or sharp objects such as needles or blades
Sharp Objects and Glassware
Living or once living materials
Biological Materials
Single cell organisms that have cell walls but no organelles or organized nucleus
Bacteria
Like a stovetop, and there is a dial to control the heat
Hot Plate
An open flame fed by gas
Bunsen Burner
Used to hold up beakers, flasks, and test tubes
Ring Stand
Looks kind of like a glass cup with a spout to make pouring fluids easier
Beaker
Like a beaker, except that it’s mouth is much narrower, so it can be closed with a stopper
Flask
A long glass tube rounded at the end
Test Tube
Rubber tops that fit into the neck of test tubes and flasks
Stoppers
Helps you clean gunk out of narrow test tubes
Test Tube Brush
A glass stick used for stirring liquids
Stirring Rod
Used to help cleanly pour liquids from one container to another
Funnel
A tool that allows you to see small things up close
Microscope
A microscope with two lenses for super powerful magnification
Compound Microscope
What is used to heat things with an open flame?
A Bunsen Burner
What is a safer way to smell a chemical?
Wafting it
What can you use to protect your eyes during labs?
Goggles
Don’t ______ or drink in lab!
Eat
What instrument is like a beaker with a narrower mouth?
A flask
What is the kind of waste that includes living or once living things?
Biological Waste
A _______ stand is used in conjunction with a Bunsen Burner.
Ring
What is used to smother small fires or to wrap a person on fire?
A fire blanket
Never leave a heat source__________
Unattended
What holds the specimen when you use a microscope?
A slide
