Name______Date______#___

Science Study Guide ~ Practice of Science

Chapter 1, Lessons 1-5

Know the following vocabulary words: (Use vocabulary cards to study)

  • microscope- uses several lenses to make small objects appear much larger so you can see them in detail
  • procedure- a set of step-by-step instructions
  • telescope- helps you see stuff in the sky
  • evidence- facts gained from observations and experiences
  • hypothesis- a possible answer to a question
  • inference- a conclusion drawn from data and observations
  • variable- something that is changed in an experiment
  • scientific method- the knowledge, processes, and products that solve problems and make work easier

Questions:

These questions may be in the form of multiple choice, true/false, or short answer.

1.What do you call the tests scientists design and run to find answers to their questions?

experiments

2.How is each tool below used?

Balance / Measure mass
Graduated cylinder / Measure volume
Ruler / Measure length and distance
Hand lens / Make objects appear larger (to see more detail)
Telescope / See objects far away (such as planet, star, moon)
Microscope / Use several lenses to make objects appear larger
Thermometer / Measure temperature

3.When looking through a hand lens, an object will appear larger.

4.Explain the importance of some of the following safety rules. Then find 2 more to include.

  • Wearing goggles and gloves: To protect your hands and face
  • Tie back long hair: Keep it out of your face so you can see and the hair won’t get burnt
  • Wash hands when finished : To wash off any harmful materials or chemicals
  • Never taste or smell chemicals: They could be dangerous.

5.What is the first thing a scientist does when designing an experiment? Ask a question

6.How many times should a scientist complete an experiment? WHY?

Multiple times (usually 3); to make sure their results are correct

7.What should scientists do if they get different results from another scientist? Why might their results be different?Try the experiment again; Compare their procedures to see if they did something different from the other scientist; There may have been a different procedure, or the scientist may have made an error.

8.You have three plants that you put outside on your porch. They are the same type of plant and they receive the same amount of sunlight, but you water them a different amount each day. Plant 1 is watered once a day, plant 2 is watered twice a day, and plant 3 is watered three times a day. What is the variable in the experiment? (Hint: The variable is what you change.)

The amount of water

9.Given a picture, be able to make an inference and support your inference with evidence.

Example:

Inference: The girl is happy.

Evidence: She is smiling.