Environmental Science A - The Scientific Method

What is the difference between an observation and an inference?

An observation is something you sense: taste, touch, smell, see, or hear. An inference is something you decide or think about a thing or event after you observe it.

A scientific theory can never be disproven.

False

Identifying the single solution to a situation or problem is a crucial element of critical thinking.

False

Information based on opinions is valid.

False

Safety equipment like fire extinguishers and fire blankets are used to prevent accidents.

False

Scientific models can never be changed.

False

There is no difference between the question and hypothesis steps of scientific inquiry.

False

There is only one tool used to heat equipment in the laboratory.

False

Critical thinking is important for evaluating which parts of advertisements are true and can be believed.

True

Factual information can be presented with bias.

True

It is important to wear proper protective equipment in lab even when not actively performing experiments because accidents can affect any researcher, even one not working on an experiment.

True

Scientific models are based on a set of observations.

True

Scientific models are based on current knowledge, which can limit their effectiveness when new discoveries are made.

True

Scientific theories are subject to change.

True

The main purpose of models is to gain a better understanding of the world.

True

The metric system is now known as the international system of units.

True

The proper protective equipment for working with hazardous chemicals in the lab includes, gloves, lab coat, goggles, and a fume hood.

True

There is more than one kind of balance used in the laboratory.

True

There is no simple way to determine whether a website has an editorial process to evaluate the factual accuracy of the information presented.

True

What is 0.25 kilometers expressed in centimeters?

a. 25000 cm

Scientists use critical thinking skills throughout the process of research or experimentation. A student notices that their energy level always seems to decrease when they drink soda, but they seem to have more energy when they don't drink soda. The student decides to conduct an experiment to determine if their soda intake really does have an effect on their energy level. What critical thinking step has the student just completed in the situation described above?

a. Asking a question

Which step of scientific inquiry involves testing the hypothesis and collecting data?

a. Experimentation

Which of the following is not a reason to question the information one receives?

a. It agrees with previous experience.

Scientists use critical thinking skills throughout the process of research and experimentation. Why is it important for scientists to remain open-minded about the information they come across in their experiments?

a. It prevents them from injecting bias into their experiments.

What is the purpose of the prefixes in the metric system?

a. They signify the multiples of ten for each unit.

Judging and evaluating advertisements requires critical thinking because _______.

a. advertisements can contain confusing, misleading information

Scientific models _______.

a. are based on a set of observations

An independent variable is

a. directly changed by the experimenter.

Samples for a compound light microscope are typically prepared on _______.

a. glass slides

Which of the following types of models would be most effective to demonstrate the relationship between distance and time?

a. idea model

Which of the following is the SI unit used to measure mass?

a. kilogram

Which type of graph is best for analyzing quantitative dependent and independent variables?

a. line graph

Following proper safety guidelines _______.

a. minimizes the chance of accidents occurring in lab

Which of the following scenarios represents the best use of a scientific model?

a. predicting weather patterns

A transmission electron microscope would be the best microscope choice to study _______.

a. structures smaller than cells

Which of the following pieces of laboratory equipment is not directly used to make measurements?

a. test tube

A student conducts an experiment to determine how the amount of water given to a plant affects its growth. What is the independent variable for this experiment?

a. the amount of water

Scientists best apply critical thinking in their work through _______.

a. the scientific method

The model of the solar system changed, because _______.

a. understanding of the solar system changed.

Which of the following values is the largest? a. 50000 mm b. 0.5 km c. 50 m d. 5000 cm

b. 0.5 km

Which measurement would not be possible to obtain from the triple beam balance shown? a. 558.6 g b. 463.455 g c. 2.4 g d. 100.0 g

b. 463.455 g

Find the mass of the cone using the triple beam balance. a. 543.0 g b. 542.0 g c. 504.28 g d. 502.8 g

b. 542.0 g

Which of the following statements describes a scientific law?

b. A scientific law describes what occurs every time in a situation.

Scientists take scientific measurements carefully in order to ensure their reliability and validity. What is the difference between accuracy and precision in scientific measurements?

b. Accuracy is how close a measured value is to its true value, while precision is how close measured values are to each other.

Which of the following is the best explanation for why it is important to follow lab safety guidelines?

b. Following laboratory safety guidelines minimizes the chance of lab accidents.

Which of the following statements about idea models is not true?

b. Idea models are typically used to predict natural disasters.

Scientific theories are explanations for scientific phenomena that can be changed when and if new information is found to support or refute the explanation. Which of the following statements provides an example of a scientific theory?

b. Species evolve by passing on advantageous hereditary traits.

What is the main purpose of scientific models?

b. The main purpose of models is to represent observations.

Which of the following is not true concerning Internet websites?

b. They have an editorial process to correct inaccurate information.

Which of the following is not an example of a scientific model?

b. a data table

Which of the following is likely to be the most valid source of information about pollution?

b. an internal report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

A scientific model can be used to _______.

b. better understand systems and processes

Critical thinking requires that _______.

b. conclusions be adjusted as necessary to incorporate new knowledge

Many types of scientific equipment are used to perform different functions in the science lab. Which of the following combinations of equipment would be needed to bring one liter of water to 85°C?

b. graduated cylinder, beaker, thermometer and hot plate

A dependent variable is

b. manipulated by changes to the independent variable.

Models need to be changed when _______.

b. scientific understanding changes

A student conducts an experiment to determine how the amount of water given to a plant affects its growth. What is the dependent variable for this experiment?

b. the height of the plant

An experiment looking at structures smaller than a cell would most likely employ a _______.

b. transmission electron microscope

The greatest difference in magnifying power is between _______.

b. transmission electron microscopes and dissecting microscopes

Which of the following steps is important to critical thinking?

b. utilizing facts

What is 150 mm expressed in decimeters?

c. 1.5 dm

Which of the following measurements has the greatest precision?

c. 100.00

What is the mass of the light bulb and paperclips together? a. 250.1 g b. 246.0 g c. 251.0 g d. 205.10 g

c. 251.0 g

How many significant figures are in the measurement 0.020 km?

c. 3

Which of the following is an observation and not an inference?

c. Bubbles form when two chemicals are mixed together.

Which of the following is true about critical analysis of promotional claims?

c. It prevents consumers from purchasing unnecessary goods.

Which of the following is not one of the three principles from which the metric system is based?

c. Metric measurements cannot be converted to any other form of measurement.

Which of the following is not one of the three principles from which the metric system is based? a. There is one unit for each measurable quantity. b. Prefixes are used to signify multiples of each unit. c. Metric measurements cannot be converted to any other form of measurement. d. The basic units are related to each other.

c. Metric measurements cannot be converted to any other form of measurement.

Which of the following statements about physical models is not true?

c. Physical models are usually in the form of a graph.

Scientists take scientific measurements carefully in order to ensure their reliability and validity. Which of the following is an example of measurement bias in scientific measurement?

c. a balance that always reads .01 g

A hypothesis is _______.

c. a testable explanation for observed phenomena

Which of the following is not used to hold liquids?

c. balance

Which of the following types of models is most likely to be used to predict earthquakes?

c. computer model

For a scientist, assessing the validity of information requires _______.

c. experimentation

Various pieces of safety equipment are used in the lab to provide protection against injury. Which of the following pieces of lab safety equipment is least likely to be used if proper eye goggles are being worn?

c. eye wash station

An observation is _______.

c. made using any of the five senses

A balance is best used to measure a sample's _______.

c. mass

Which of the following is the SI unit used to measure length?

c. meter

A number should be rounded up if _______.

c. the number after it is between 5 and 9

When converting from kilometers to meters, the decimal is moved _______.

c. three places to the right

Which of the following is not a step involved in critical thinking?

c. writing a summary

What is 1550 dm expressed in hectometers?

d. 1.55 hm

What is the mass of the light bulb? a. 425.6 g b. 204.6 g c. 240.56 g d. 245.6 g

d. 245.6 g

How many significant figures are in the measurement 1.050 L?

d. 4

Which of the following is an inference?

d. A cup with steam coming from it will be hot to the touch.

Which of the following is not an advantage of using the metric system?

d. It was designed in France in 1791.

Which of the following is the SI unit used to measure temperature?

d. Kelvin

Scientific models can be used for a variety of different purposes. Which of the following statements about scientific models is not true?

d. Scientific models are used rarely.

Scientists utilize models for a variety of different purposes, but each type of scientific model has limitations. What might be a limitation of existing solar system models?

d. They are based on current knowledge.

Scientific experiments are specially designed to test explanations for an observed phenomenon. A student decides to conduct an experiment to determine the effect that the amount of time spent in the sunlight has on the overall growth of a plant. The student will conduct the experiment using two identical plants that will only spend different amounts of time in the sunlight. All other aspects needed for growth will remain identical for each. In the experiment described, what would the amount of water given to each plant be considered?

d. a control or constant

When conducting scientific research or experimentation, researchers carefully analyze and evaluate results to determine a valid conclusion. A scientist conducts an experiment to determine how different brands of fish food affect tropical fish growth. The scientist determines that all of their fish grow better when fed a specific brand of fish food. Why would it be important to question the results of this experiment?

d. all of the above

Which of the following is a step in evaluating the reliability of a website?

d. all of the above are steps in evaluating a website's reliability

If an experiment involves a large volume of liquid a _______ would most likely be used to hold it.

d. beaker

Which of the following pieces of lab equipment is used to protect eyes?

d. goggles

Which of the following is the correct order for the steps of scientific inquiry?

d. observe, question, hypothesize, experiment, analyze, formulate a conclusion

Which of the following is not used to perform experiments with liquids?

d. rulers

Scientific questions must be _______.

d. testable

Which of the following types of models could be used to represent a cell?

d. all of the above ( idea model, physical model, computer model )

qualitative observation

observation about the "qualities" of different objects or events in the world (looks like, feels like, smells like); descriptions Qualitative observations about a flower could include the color of the petals, the type of flower it is, or what it smells like.

quantitative observation

observation about the "quantities" of different objects or events in the world; numerical value Quantitative observations about a flower could include how tall it is, how many petals it has, or how many flowers there are on a specific plant.