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Physical Science > Scientific Study > Flashcards

Scientific Study Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a hypothesis?

A

The anticipated answer to the problem after background research. It is usually written as a cause and effect statement.

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2
Q

What is a controlled experiment?

A

A scientific investigation that only manipulates one variable to enable the researcher to find relationships between the variable and the outcomes.

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3
Q

What is an independent variable?

A

The part of an experiment that the researcher changes to determine the cause of observations.

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4
Q

What is the dependent variable?

A

The part of the experiment that the researcher measures in response to changes.

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5
Q

What are controlled variables?

A

Any other condition that is kept constant in order to link observations to a single manipulated variable.

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6
Q

What is a conclusion?

A

The relationships that the researcher determines from analyzing the data from the experiment.

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7
Q

What is a scientific law?

A

A description of how nature behaves under given conditions based on data from many experiments.

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8
Q

What is a scientific theory?

A

An explanation of how nature behaves that is consistent with current observations and that can predict future events.

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9
Q

What is an observation?

A

Information gathered through a person’s senses or by measurement instruments.

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10
Q

What is an inference?

A

Conclusions that a scientist proposes after analyzing data.

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11
Q

What is a line graph?

A

A type of graph that shows the relationship between two measured variables. Trend lines can also predict relationship between measurements.

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12
Q

What is a Histogram?

A

A type of graph that shows the frequency of one measured variable.

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13
Q

What is a circle graph?

A

A type of graph that shows parts of a whole.

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14
Q

What is measurement?

A

A comparison of an unknown amount to a known standardized amount.

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15
Q

What is mass?

A

The amount of matter in an object. It can also be a measurement of the inertia of an object.

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16
Q

What is volume?

A

A measurement of the space that an object occupies.

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17
Q

What is a graduated cylinder?

A

The measuring tool to determine the volume of a gas, liquid or irregular solid.

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18
Q

What is a balance?

A

The measuring tool to determine the mass of a substance.

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19
Q

What is a scale?

A

The measuring tool to determine the force or weight of an object.

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20
Q

Why should students focus on lab procedures and not “horseplay” in lab?

A

Students need to carefully use equipment and make observations in order to draw conclusions in a safe manner.

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21
Q

What types of clothing would be inappropriate for lab work?

A

Clothing with loose sleeves. Jewelry or other items that can dangle into the experiment. Open-toed shoes that provide no protection from spills or broken glass.

22
Q

Why should students inspect their equipment before doing a lab?

A

Damaged equipment can crack when heated, or provide wrong data.

23
Q

Why should a student tie back long hair in lab?

A

Long hair can catch on fire or dangle in experiments.

24
Q

How should students check for hot glass?

A

They should carefully move the back of their hand near the glass to feel for radiating heat.

25
Q

Why should students not eat in the lab area?

A

They can get food into their experiment. They can get chemicals on the hands that transfers to their food.

26
Q

Why should students wash their hands after completing a lab.

A

They do not want to transfer chemicals to their food or belongings.

27
Q

When should the alcohol or Bunsen burner be lit during an experiment?

A

Only use a heating device at the time indicated in the procedures. An open flame can singe skin or clothing.

28
Q

When heating a liquid in a test tube, why should you point it away from people?

A

Liquids can spatter out of the tube. You don’t want to burn someone.

29
Q

When should you wear safety googles in lab?

A

Anytime you are transferring or heating chemicals. They can also protect eyes when grinding chemicals.

30
Q

What is the SI unit for length?

A

The meter

31
Q

How is the volume of a regular solid determined?

A

By measuring the dimensions of the object and applying a formula. For example, the volume of a cube is determined from length X width X height. You would use a ruler.

32
Q

How is the volume of an irregular solid determined?

A

Using the water displacement method. Partially fill a graduated cylinder with water and measure its volume. Add the object to the graduated cylinder and measure the combined volume. Subtract the water’s volume from the combined volume to get the object’s volume.

33
Q

How do you determine the mass of a solid?

A

Place the solid on a balance. If the solid is a granular solid or could potentially damage the balance, you should use a weighing tray.

34
Q

How do you determine the mass of a liquid?

A

Place a container on the balance and determine its mass. Add the liquid to the container and measure the combined mass. Subtract the container’s mass from the combined mass to get the liquid’s mass.
Or place a container on the balance, zero or tare the balance, then add the liquid to measure the liquid’s mass.

35
Q

How do you determine the weight of an object?

A

Use a scale. The SI unit for weight is the Newton.

36
Q

How do you determine the temperature of a substance?

A

Use a thermometer. The SI unit for temperature is the Kelvin, but most scientific thermometer measure temperature in Celsius degrees.

37
Q

Why should graphs have a title?

A

Titles let people know what information is contained on the graph.

38
Q

What should you consider when determining the scale or increments on a graph axis?

A

Your scale should include the highest and lowest measured values. The increments assigned to each line need to be uniformly spaced. You should use as much of the graph paper as available. The scales of the x-axis and y-axis do not have to match.

39
Q

How should axes be labeled?

A

Each axis should be labeled with the variable measured and the unit.

40
Q

Which axis is the horizontal axis?

A

The horizontal axis extends across the bottom of the graph and is also called the x-axis. When graphing experimental data, the x-axis should be the independent variable or time.

41
Q

Which axis is the vertical axis?

A

The vertical axis is up and down the side of the graph and is also called the y-axis. When graphing experimental data, the y-axis should be the dependent variable.

42
Q

What is a legend or key?

A

It is a section of a graph that indicates what symbols or colors mean.

43
Q

What is graph interpolation?

A

Determining the value of variables in between data actually measured.

44
Q

What is graph extrapolation?

A

Determining the possible value of variables beyond the range of actual measurements.

45
Q

What is the Law of Conservation of Matter?

A

The amount of matter before a chemical or physical change equals the amount of matter after the change.

46
Q

What is a physical property?

A

A property that can be observed without changing the chemical identity of the substance.

47
Q

What is a chemical property?

A

A property that describes how a substance reacts in the presence of another substance.

48
Q

What is a characteristic property?

A

A property of a substance that helps to identify it.

49
Q

What is an intrinsic property?

A

A property of a substance that does not change based on amount or what object that the substance is made into.

50
Q

What is density?

A

The ratio of the mass of an object to the volume it occupies. Density is an intrinsic property.

Physical Science (11 decks)

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