The Nature of Science

Question 1

Bias

Answer 1

a preference for or against one idea, thing or person.

Question 2

Constant

Answer 2

a quantity that is unknown but assumed to have a fixed value in a specified mathematical context.

Question 3

Control

Answer 3

In scientific experiments, a scientific control is one in which the subject or a group would not be tested for the dependent variable(s). … A study with control(s) is designed to ensure that the effects are due to the independent variables in the experiment.

Question 4

Density

Answer 4

Density, mass of a unit volume of a material substance.

Question 5

Dependent Variable

Answer 5

Just like an independent variable, a dependent variable is exactly what it sounds like. It is something that depends on other factors. … (Independent variable) causes a change in (Dependent Variable) and it isn’t possible that (Dependent Variable) could cause a change in (Independent Variable).

Question 6

Experiment

Answer 6

a scientific test in which you perform a series of actions and carefully observe their effects in order to learn about something.

Question 7

Graph

Answer 7

a diagram (as a series of one or more points, lines, line segments, curves, or areas) that represents the variation of a variable in comparison with that of one or more other variables.

Question 8

Hypothesis

Answer 8

scientific hypothesis, an idea that proposes a tentative explanation about a phenomenon or a narrow set of phenomena observed in the natural world.

Question 9

Independent Variable

Answer 9

It is a variable that stands alone and isn’t changed by the other variables you are trying to measure.

Question 10

Mass

Answer 10

A measure of the amount of matter contained in or constituting a physical body.

Question 11

Model

Answer 11

A scientific model is a physical and/or mathematical and/or conceptual representation of a system of ideas, events or processes.

Question 12

Scientific Law

Answer 12

Scientific laws or laws of science are statements, based on repeated experiments or observations, that describe or predict a range of natural phenomena. The term law has diverse usage in many cases across all fields of natural science.

Question 13

Scientific Method

Answer 13

a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.

Question 14

Standard

Answer 14

In metrology (the science of measurement), a standard (or etalon) is an object, system, or experiment that bears a defined relationship to a unit of measurement of a physical quantity. Standards are the fundamental reference for a system of weights and measures, against which all other measuring devices are compared.

Question 15

Technology

Answer 15

the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry.

Question 16

Scientific Theory

Answer 16

A scientific theory is an explanation of an aspect of the natural world and universe that can be repeatedly tested and verified in accordance with the scientific method, using accepted protocols of observation, measurement, and evaluation of results.

Question 17

Variable

Answer 17

In science, a variable is any item, factor, or condition that can be controlled or changed. There are three types of variables in scientific experiments, but we will define them later in the lesson. First, let’s discuss why scientists use experiments.

Question 18

Volume

Answer 18

Volume is the quantity of three-dimensional space occupied by a liquid, solid, or gas. Common units used to express volume include liters, cubic meters, gallons, milliliters, teaspoons, and ounces, though many other units exist.

Question 19

SI

Answer 19

The International System of Units is the modern form of the metric system. It is the only system of measurement with an official status in nearly every country in the world.