Scientific Methods assignment and quiz
Identify two kinds of data the student will likely collect during his experiment. Identify the type of data collected and how the student might present his data.
Did your answer include all these points? The student will probably collect data on amount of sunlight, which would most likely be qualitative data. The student will probably collect data on the mass or volume of the tomatoes produced by each plant. These are quantitative data. The student could present his data in a data table. The student could present his data in a graph.
Which best describes the act of using senses or tools to gather information? creating a hypothesis making an observation summarizing the results recording the measurements
making an observation
A scientist studies the effect of adding different amounts of salt on the boiling point of water. He places his results in the graph below. mc009-1.jpg What are the independent and dependent variables in this experiment? Mass is the independent variable, and boiling point is the dependent variable. Boiling point is the independent variable, and mass is the dependent variable. There are two independent variables and no dependent variables. There are two dependent variables and no independent variables.
Mass is the independent variable, and boiling point is the dependent variable.
Although there are different ways to approach a scientific investigation, all scientific investigations begin with some sort of -experiment. -theory -observation.
Observation
What should you do before you begin to plan a scientific investigation? -Perform background research to learn what is already known about the question you are trying to answer. -Create the data that will support your hypothesis. -Make sure your hypothesis is correct by comparing it with hypotheses of successful investigations.
Perform background research to learn what is already known about the question you are trying to answer.
Suppose the student's data show that the tomato plants that received the least sunlight produced the heaviest tomatoes. However, the plants that received the most sunlight produced tomatoes with the largest volume. What would be the best thing for the student to do next? Reject his hypothesis completely and assume that sunlight has no effect on tomato size. Revise his hypothesis to clarify what he means by the size of the tomatoes. Discard the data that contradict his hypothesis.
Revise his hypothesis to clarify what he means by the size of the tomatoes.
What must be part of a quantitative observation? a change of state a change in size a number a color
a number
Which is an example of making a quantitative observation? measuring the mass of metal used in a reaction recording the color of a solid formed in a reaction describing a liquid as having a slippery feel rating an odor on how nice it smells
measuring the mass of metal used in a reaction
A scientist would most likely need to update her model when it a.has become too simple. b.no longer supports the latest results. c.reduces the need for verbal explanation of data. d.no longer appears interesting.
no longer supports the latest results.
Several scientists from different countries are asked to examine the results of an experiment before a journal will print it. Which term best describes this step of the investigative process? question communication of results peer review experiment control
peer review
Which method is the typical first step when scientists communicate their scientific results? placing the results on an Internet site to maximize readership distributing the results in press releases to make them well established submitting the results to a scientific journal for a peer review declaring the results in a TV interview for public feedback
submitting the results to a scientific journal for a peer review
Which best describes the purpose of a control sample? -to have more quantitative data to analyze at the end of the experiment -to have more qualitative data to analyze at the end of the experiment -to compare its results to those of a well-known scientist -to compare its results to those with the experimental sample
to compare its results to those with the experimental sample
Which best describes the purpose of a control sample? to have more quantitative data to analyze at the end of the experiment to have more qualitative data to analyze at the end of the experiment to compare its results to those of a well-known scientist to compare its results to those with the experimental sample
to compare its results to those with the experimental sample
Which best describes the purpose of a controlled experiment? -to make sure the results of the experiment support the hypothesis -to prevent a dangerous condition resulting from a reaction -to examine whether one variable causes a change in another -to prevent an undesired change in a variable
to examine whether one variable causes a change in another
Which best describes the purpose of a controlled experiment? to make sure the results of the experiment support the hypothesis to prevent a dangerous condition resulting from a reaction to examine whether one variable causes a change in another to prevent an undesired change in a variable
to examine whether one variable causes a change in another
What type of experiment did the student in the passage perform? How do you know?
Did your answer include all of these points? It was a controlled experiment. You know it was a controlled experiment because only one variable changed.
An investigation involves determining which metal is better for making pots that will cook food faster. Which is the best hypothesis to use for this investigation? a.Copper is better than iron for making pots. b.Copper is more malleable and heats up faster than iron. c.If copper is a better conductor, it will heat up faster than iron. d.If copper heats up faster than iron, it is better for making pots.
If copper heats up faster than iron, it is better for making pots.
During a conference presentation, a scientist described the materials that she used and how she performed her experiments. Which best explains why a scientist would share these details in a conference? It tells the audience if the results support or contradict the hypothesis. It tells the peers if the study is supported by mathematical models. It informs the peers if the results are supported by other scientists. It informs the audience if the study included controlled tests.
It informs the audience if the study included controlled tests.
Read the lab procedure for a controlled experiment that looks at the effect of heat on the circumference of bicycle tires. Step 1: Pump up six identical bike tires to the recommended air pressure. Step 2: Place three tires under heat lamps, and keep the other three tires at room temperature. Step 3: After four hours, measure the circumference of each tire. Step 4: Record your results in the table. Step 5: (?) Which step should be next in this procedure? List the materials that are needed. Write a conclusion for the experiment. Write a hypothesis for the results. Draw a table for the observations.
Write a conclusion for the experiment
What should the student do after he has collected and analyzed his data? Write a lab report that summarizes his experiment. Share his results with his class and ask for their feedback. Remove all data that do not support his conclusions.
Write a lab report that summarizes his experiment. Share his results with his class and ask for their feedback.
An experiment was conducted to see which metal pot would be better for cooking food quickly. The table below shows how quickly small pieces of wax melted during the experiment. Type of metal Time for the wax to melt (seconds) Aluminum 27 Bronze 45 Copper 15 Steel 80 The following statement was made after the data were examined: "Copper pots are the best pots for cooking food quickly." Which term best describes this statement? -conclusion -hypothesis -procedure -result
conclusion
Which is one way that scientists communicate the results of an experiment? asking a question drawing a picture writing a procedure forming a hypothesis
drawing a picture
