Unit 1: Nature of Science Study Guide

Unit 1: Nature of Science Study Guide

1. What is the goal of science?

2. How does an observation differ from an inference?

3. Distinguish between a variable and a control.

4. What is a hypothesis? a theory? How does a hypothesis become a

theory?

5. What are the 8 characteristics of life? Be specific.

6. What are the steps of the scientific method? Be specific.

7. What is a dependent(responding) variable?

8. What is an independent (manipulated) variable?

9. Be familiar with lab safety precautions.

10.

11. Bart believes that mice exposed to microwaves will become extra strong

(maybe he's been reading too much RadioactiveMan). He decides to

perform this experiment by placing 10 mice in a microwave for 10

seconds. He compared these 10 mice to another 10 mice that had not

been exposed. His test consisted of a heavy block of wood that blocked

the mouse food. He found that 8 out of the 10 microwaved mice were

able to push the block away. 7 out of the 10 non-microwaved mice were

able to do the same.

a. What was Bart’s hypothesis?

b. Identify the:

1. Control Group

2. Experimental Group

3. Independent Variable

4. Dependent Variable

c. What should Bart’s conclusion be?