The Nature of Science Flashcards
Bias
a preference for or against one idea, thing or person.
Constant
a quantity that is unknown but assumed to have a fixed value in a specified mathematical context.
Control
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.
Density
Density, mass of a unit volume of a material substance.
Dependent Variable
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).
Experiment
a scientific test in which you perform a series of actions and carefully observe their effects in order to learn about something.
Graph
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.
Hypothesis
scientific hypothesis, an idea that proposes a tentative explanation about a phenomenon or a narrow set of phenomena observed in the natural world.
Independent Variable
It is a variable that stands alone and isn’t changed by the other variables you are trying to measure.
Mass
A measure of the amount of matter contained in or constituting a physical body.
Model
A scientific model is a physical and/or mathematical and/or conceptual representation of a system of ideas, events or processes.
Scientific Law
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.
Scientific Method
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.
Standard
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.
Technology
the application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry.
Scientific Theory
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.
Variable
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.
Volume
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.
SI
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.
