Chapter 1: What is science vocabulary
length
the distance an object is or travels; meters (m); ruler
communicating
the process of sharing ideas with others through writing and speaking
examine
to study something carefully and in great detail
experiment
to test the relationship between an independent variable and dependent variable
hypothesis
possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a scientific question; must be testable
conclusion
statement written in past tense that sums up results of an experiment
volume
the amount of space an object takes up; liters (L); graduated cylinder or ruler
constant/s
variables that are kept the same in an experiment
operational definition
tells how a variable is being measured; the units
mass
the amount of matter in an object; grams (g); triple beam balance
temperature
the amount of molecular motion; Celsius scale
weight
the amount of pull on an object due to gravity; Newtons (N); spring scale
force
the amount of push or pull on an object; Newtons (N); spring scale
science
A way of learning about the natural world and the knowledge gained through the process.
qualitative observation
An observation (a fact) made with the five senses; descriptive.
quantitative observation
An observation (a fact) that deals with a number or amount.
variable
Any factor that can change in an experiment
scientific inquiry
The diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on evidence they gather.
dependent variable
The factor that responds to the changes to the independent variable; what is measured and recorded; also known as Responding Variable (RV).
independent variable
The one factor that a scientist changes on purpose during an experiment; also called Manipulated Variable (MV).
making models
The process of creating representations of complex objects or processes.
classify
The process of grouping organisms based on their similarities
life science
The study of living things
prediction
a forecast of what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence
scientific method
a process to conduct scientific research
controlled experiment
an experiment in which only one variable is manipulated at a time
inference
an explanation; an interpretation based on observations and prior knowledge; logical; arguable; subject to change
complex data table
created when there are multiple trials per level of IV in an experiment
simple data table
created when there is only one trial per level of IV in an experiment
data
facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observations
discrete data
levels of IV that are brands or categories; creates a bar graph
continuous data
levels of IV that are numerical (#s); creates a Line graph