THE NATURE OF SCIENCE

STUDY GUIDE
Chapter 1

True/False

____ 1. Models may change as new discoveries are made.

____ 2. Data are always numerical measurements.
____ 3. The only way to test a hypothesis is by conducting a controlled experiment.
____ 4. If it takes more than a few experiments to find the answer to a particular problem, it means that the scientist
has failed and is not a very good researcher.
____ 5. Computer models can be touched.
____ 6. A hypothesis is a decision based on the results of the experiment.
____ 7. An important part of planning an experiment is determining the materials needed.
____ 8. Although people of different races, sexes, and cultures have made scientific discoveries, they have all been
adults, older than you.
____ 9. Using scientific methods means doing a professional experiment.
____ 10. Data tables help you to organize your observations and test results.
____ 11. It is often necessary to look at the same problem in different ways in order to find an answer.
____ 12. Scientific models are often used to help scientists understand a problem.
____ 13. Variables are those factors that can be changed in an experiment.
____ 14. If the results of a study do not support a hypothesis, it means that the experiment failed.
____ 15. Einstein's idea model for his theory of relativity was also built as a physical model.
____ 16. Scientific models have two basic types.
____ 17. Laboratory safety is not an important concern for scientists.
____ 18. When observing and recording the results of an experiment, observations may include both measurements and
descriptions.
____ 19. Once a scientific model has been created, it cannot be changed.
____ 20. All important scientific discoveries are made by professional scientists.
Multiple Choice

____ 21. ____ materials are designed to get you to buy a product or service.
a. Model c. Observed
b. Scientific d. Advertising
____ 22. To ____ means to draw a conclusion based on something you observe.
a. guess c. model
b. control d. infer
____ 23. Another term for technology is ____.
a. applied science c. comparison
b. controlled experiment d. sequence
____ 24. To evaluate the observations you make, you must use ____.
a. a hypothesis c. measurements
b. critical thinking d. models
____ 25. Scientific ____ must be supported by observations and results from many investigations and are not absolute.
a. constants c. systems
b. theories d. laws
____ 26. A camera is an example of ____.
a. an experiment c. technology
b. a robot d. a scientific method
____ 27. When conducting an experiment, the last step is to ____.
a. analyze the data c. form a hypothesis
b. draw conclusions d. recognize a problem
____ 28. When designing an experiment, the first step is to ____.
a. draw conclusions c. recognize a problem
b. form a hypothesis d. test a hypothesis
____ 29. Scientists must be impartial and not base their conclusions on ____.
a. opinions c. models
b. evidence d. experiments
____ 30. The three branches of science are ____, Earth, and physical.
a. space c. life
b. physics d. chemistry
____ 31. The factor being measured in an experiment is the ____.
a. hypothesis c. variable
b. scientific law d. control
____ 32. Models can be used to describe which of the following environments?
a. the floor of the ocean c. space
b. volcanoes d. all of the above
____ 33. A prediction about a problem that can be tested is a(n) ____.
a. hypothesis c. dependent variable
b. independent variable d. control
____ 34. Models can do all of the following EXCEPT ____.
a. make a hypothesis c. test predictions
b. communicate d. save time, money, and lives
____ 35. Science cannot answer questions about ____.
a. distance c. politics
b. temperature d. the natural world
____ 36. A variable in an experiment that stays the same is a(n) ____.
a. independent variable c. constant
b. dependent variable d. control
____ 37. It is important to ____ when drawing conclusions from scientific information.
a. keep notes c. talk to others
b. make up your mind d. keep an open mind
____ 38. Limitations of models include ____.
a. ability to communicate c. the tendency to change
b. the ability to test predictions d. the ability to save time
____ 39. Experiments and investigations must be ____.
a. approved c. repeatable
b. unreproduceable d. accepted
____ 40. The process of learning more about the natural world is ____.
a. an experiment c. a hypothesis
b. a control d. science