The Nature of Science terms

Question 1

Theory

Answer 1

A universal explanation for a wide range of phenomena

Question 2

Hypothesis

Answer 2

A tentative explanation for natural phenomena (an educated guess)

Question 3

Fact

Answer 3

A phenomenon that has actual objective existence independent of human perceptions or an agreed upon interpretation of observations

Question 4

Model

Answer 4

A representation of a real-world phenomenon that emphasizes some aspect of that phenomenon.

Question 5

Law

Answer 5

A statement describing the relationship between two or more phenomena.

Question 6

Falsifiability

Answer 6

In order for an idea to be considered scientific, it must be falsifiable, that is there has to exist some set of circumstances that if they occurred, they would show that the idea is false.

Question 7

Uniformitarianism

Answer 7

“The present is the key to the past.” The forces at work are the same now as they have been in the past. Therefore we can assume that things operated in the past as they do now.

Question 8

Explain why a “proof” isn’t applicable to science.

Answer 8

The results of an investigation either support, or do not support the hypothesis being tested. In science there is always room for alternative explanations, as long as they are consistent with the data.

Question 9

Data

Answer 9

the set of observations, both qualitative and quantitative, that allow us to determine facts.

Question 10

Alvarez Hypothesis

Answer 10

A large extraterrestrial mass hit the earth and caused the extinction of the dinosaurs.

Question 11

Inquiry

Answer 11

The search for information and explanations of natural phenomena by making observations, forming logical, testable explanations (hypotheses), and testing them.