ATAR Scientific Inquiry & Understanding 2

Question 1

A scientist repeats an experiment five times and gets results that are close together but far from the true value. This describes data that is:

Accepted Answer

Precise but not accurate

Answer

Accurate but not precise

Answer

Both accurate and precise

Answer

Neither accurate nor precise

Question 2

When graphing experimental results, placing the independent variable on the x-axis is important because:

Accepted Answer

The independent variable is the one the experimenter controls and changes

Answer

It makes the graph look symmetrical

Answer

The dependent variable is harder to measure

Answer

Convention requires the larger values on the x-axis

Question 3

A student measures the boiling point of water at sea level and obtains 99.4°C instead of 100°C. This error is most likely due to:

Accepted Answer

Systematic error from an incorrectly calibrated thermometer

Answer

Random error from fluctuating conditions

Answer

Parallax error from reading the graph

Answer

Sampling error from using too small a sample

Question 4

In a controlled experiment testing the effect of fertilizer on plant growth, which of the following is a controlled variable?

Accepted Answer

Amount of water each plant receives

Answer

Amount of fertilizer applied

Answer

Height of plant after 4 weeks

Answer

Type of fertilizer used

Question 5

A hypothesis must be:

Accepted Answer

A testable prediction about the relationship between variables

Answer

Proven true before experiments begin

Answer

Based solely on mathematical models

Answer

Confirmed by at least three independent studies

Question 6

Which action best reduces random error in an experiment?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the number of trials and averaging results

Answer

Replacing all equipment with new models

Answer

Using a control group only

Answer

Changing the independent variable more frequently

Question 7

The peer review process in science primarily serves to:

Accepted Answer

Detect errors and evaluate the validity of research before publication

Answer

Ensure only popular theories are published

Answer

Speed up the publication of new discoveries

Answer

Allow scientists to patent their findings