Answer Key

Earth and Space Science Unit Outline

Welcome to High School Science

What is Science
1. The four traditional branches of Earth and Space Science are:
Astronomy, Meteorology, Hydrology, and Geology

2. These branches are all interconnected. If one of these branches fails, the Earth will no longer be a
suitable place to live. This implies that Earth is a _____________________________.
System

3. What are the three main ingredients of science?

Process, Nature, and Repetition

4. Give five specific examples of doing science and explain why it is science.
Varies

5. Give five specific examples of things that are not science and explain why they are not science.
Varies

Unifying Themes of Science

6. Compare direct and indirect observations and give an example of each.
Direct – Expensive, Time Consuming, Accurate, Observer makes the observation
Indirect – Cheap, Fast, Less Accurate, Observer infers the observation

7. Describe the correct way to classify objects in science.

There is no correct way. It’s whatever works and makes sense.

8. Explain why we use models in science.

To look at things that are too big or too small to work with normally. To make something
complex simple

9. What is the benefit of patterns in science?

They let us make predictions

Math and Science

10. Why is it difficult to accurately show the size of the planets and the distances between them at the
same scale on a model of the solar system?
Planets are so small compared to the distance between them that the scale is not workable

11. How does the distance between planets compare to the actual size of the planets?
The distances are in millions of km. The size is in thousands of km.

12. Compare accuracy and precision.

Accuracy is the right answer. Precision is consistent answers, though not necessarily the right
ones.
13. D=
Mass/Volume

14. The actual density of a rock is 1.53 g/ml. You measured and calculated the density as 1.62 g/ml.
How accurate was your answer?

(1.62 – 1.53)/1.53 * 100 = 5.89%

15. What kind of graph should you use to compare the test grades of every student in the class?
Scatter Plot

16. What are five things to make sure you include on your graph?
Correct type of graph, Label, Units, Title, Scale, Visually Appealing, Key

17. Convert the following to scientific notation:

a. 602,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 6.02x1023
b. 0.000000123 1.23 x 10-7

Literacy and Science

18. Why are reading and writing important skills for scientists?
Scientific discoveries must be communicated. Therefore, reading and writing are essential for
scientists.

19. Give three tips for writing a good paper.

• Study the outline

• Talk with someone about your ideas before you ever start writing.
• Get to the point.
• Drafts and Revisions
• Proofread
• Check spelling and grammar.

Doing Science
20. How are theories, laws, and hypotheses related?
They are not related at all. Theories and Hypotheses both explain. Laws Describe. But one does
not become another. None can be proven. All can be disproven.

21. A theory ______________ be proven.

CANNOT

22. ______________ describe. ____________________ explain.

Laws, Theories

23. Compare the scientific method with science skills

Scientific method has particular steps that must be completed in order. It is limited by what you
are studying and does not allow for tangents. Science skills provide more flexibility in how to
study and solve a problem.
24. Use the 4-Question strategy to design an experiment about raindrops.

1. What materials are readily available for conducting experiments on (raindrops )? Rain Guage,
Ruler, pH paper, Camera, Containers, Fish
2. How do (raindrops) act? Raindrops fall from the sky. When they hit the Earth they cause
erosion. Depending on how hard it rains, they fall at different speeds and amounts. The rain
can break plants but is necessary for all living things. Depending on the air quality, rain might
have a more or less acidic pH.
3. How can you change the (raindrops) to affect the action? Change the rate of fall, Change how
far they fall. Change the material they hit.
4. How can you measure or describe the response of (raindrops) to the change? How big a splash
do raindrops make?

Experiment: Will the amount of erosion caused by falling rain change as a result of how far the
raindrops fall?

STEM
25. What does the acronym STEM stand for?
Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

26. Summarize CTE’s role in a STEM-based economy.

CTE is a major player in producing STEM workers. It provides a means for students to learn
technical skills and works to introduce underrepresented groups to technical fields.

27. Why is the study of STEM fields important?

STEM fields help improve the world around us and are major forces in the global and US
economies.