Flashcards in Module 1 : Scientific Concepts & Methodologies Deck (83)
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30
(Scientific Concepts : Simple Machines)
Can a simple machine reduce the total amount of work that is done to move an object? Why or why not?
- no , the work still needs to get done but we can make it easier by reducing the amount of force
31
(Scientific Concepts : Measurement)
Identify the basic units used to describe each of the following quantities. Include both the name and its abbreviation. Describe a situation where you would use these units.
(A) mass
(B) time
(C) length
(D) current
(E) temperature
(F) volume
(G) energy
(H) power
(I) force
(J) electrical resistance
(K) electrical potential
(L) pH
(A) mass :
- gram (g)
- weight
(B) time
- second (s)
- minutes, hours
(C) length
- meter (m)
- distance, height
(D) current
- ampere (A)
- voltage for power
(E) temperature
- kelvin (K) and degree Celsius (C)
- hot, cold
(F) volume
- liter (L)
- capacity of an object
(G) energy
- joule (J) also known as calories
- how much force you need to do something, lift an apple
(H) power
- watt (W) energy divided by time
- light bulbs
(I) force
- newton (N)
(J) electrical resistance
- ohm (omega symbol)
(K) electrical potential
- volt (V)
(L) pH
- level of acidity
- soil, water
32
(Scientific Concepts : Measurement)
Identify the power of ten associated with each of the following metric prefixes
(A) nano- (n)
(B) micro- (u)
(C) centi- (c)
(D) milli- (m)
(E) kilo- (k)
(A) nano- : one billionth of a unit (n)
(B) micro- : one millionth of a unit (Greek letter u)
(C) centi- : one hundredth of a unit (c)
(D) milli- : one thousandth of a unit (m)
(E) kilo- : (kg) unit of measurement used to measure larger amounts of mass (one thousand times the size of a gram)
33
(Scientific Concepts : Measurement)
How can you combine the basic units no prefixes above to describe quantities?
- 1 cm
centi- (c) + meter (m)
- 150 MW
mega- (M) + watt (W)
-0.5 mJ
milli- (m) + joule (J)
34
(Scientific Concepts : Measurement)
What is pH? What does is measure?
- degree of acidity
- pH < 7 : acid
- pH > 7 : base
- pH = 7 : neutral
35
evidence
- evidence which serves to either support or counter a scientific theory or hypothesis
36
experiment
- a scientific in which a scientist manipulates one or more conditions to see the results
37
controlled experiment
- an experiment in which one condition is allowed to vary and all others are kept constant
38
independent variable
- in a controlled experiment, the condition that the scientist changes on purpose
39
dependent variable
- in a controlled experiment, the condition that the scientist observes to see the effects of changing the independent variable
40
controlled variable
- a condition that is kept the same throughout an experiment
41
field study
- a scientific investigation that is not conducted in a laboratory setting
42
model
- a representation of an aspect of the natural world
43
computational model
- a model created or designed using computers
44
Which of these scientific investigations would be most appropriate as a field study?
(A) determining how a new antibiotic affects bacterial cells in a Petri dish?
(B) calculation how long it takes volcanic ash to move through the atmosphere?
(C) measuring how a hot rock needs to get before it melts?
Or
(D) observing how coral interact with parrotfish?
ANSWER
(D) observing how coral interact with parrotfish
45
A farmer wants to figure out which brand of fertilizer will produce the largest tomato yield. In a controlled experiment, to answer this question, what would be the most appropriate independent variable?
(A) type of tomato plant?
(B) type of fertilizer?
(C) amount of fertilizer?
Or
(D) tomato yield?
ANSWER
(B) type of fertilizer
46
Which of the following questions could not be answered with a controlled experiment?
(A) What kinds of minerals form at a volcano?
(B) How does increasing temperature affect the rate of a chemical reaction?
(C) Which type of food helps mice grow fastest?
Or
(D) How does adding salt to water affect how long it takes the water to freeze?
ANSWER
(A) What kinds of minerals form at a volcano?
47
fact
- an observation or phenomenon that all competent observers agree on
48
The Big Bang theory is an important unifying idea in astronomy. What must be true of the Big Bang theory?
(A) it can explain all available evidence and observations?
(B) it allows scientists to make predictions about the natural world?
(C) it is a testable, falsifiable set of ideas?
Or
(D) all of the above are true?
ANSWER
(D) All of the above are true
49
How is a scientific hypothesis different from a scientific theory?
(A) a hypothesis is supported by more observations than a theory?
(B) a hypothesis is broader that a theory is?
(C) a hypothesis is tentative, but a theory is well accepted?
Or
(D) a hypothesis is based on facts, but a theory is a guess?
ANSWER
(C) a hypothesis is tentative, but a theory is well accepted.
50
Which of the following is true of a scientific theory, but not true of a scientific law?
(A) explains natural phenomena
(B) based on personal opinion
(C) testable
(D) supported by evidence
ANSWER
(A) explains natural phenomena
51
reductionist approach
- an approach to studying a system in which the focus is on each part of the system in isolation
52
systems approach
- an approach to studying a system in which the focus is on the system as a whole and the interactions between the parts of the system
53
technology
- the application of science to fulfill a need or address a problem
54
Which of the following is the best example of a systems approach to studying the natural world?
(A) measuring the heir of an oak tree
(B) studying how well a new kind of wire conducts electricity
(C) observing how wolves hunt elk
Or
(D) determining the structure of a cell protein
ANSWER
(C) observing how wolves hunt elk
55
A systems approach would be most useful for studying which of the following systems?
(A) a cell phone
(B) a thermostat
(C) a car
Or
(D) a forest
ANSWER
(D) a forest
56
Which is an example of a scientific discovery leading to new technology?
(A) sonar allowing us to determine the structure of the ocean floor
(B) identification of the electron allowing for the development of electricity
(C) computers being used to analyze human genetic information
Or
(D) people collaborating online to map the surface of the moon
ANSWER
(B) identification of the electron allowing for the development of electricity
57
Which of the following fields of study is concerned with the formation of rocks and the landforms found on the surface of the Earth?
(A) biology
(B) chemistry
(C) physics
(D) geology
(E) astronomy
ANSWER
(D) geology
58
Which is an advantage of using an integrated approach to the study of science?
(A) It enables us to see connections among different fields
(B) It provides a more complete understanding of the concepts bring studied
(C) It enables us to see how systems, as a whole, function
Or
(D) All of the above
ANSWER
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