ATAR Scientific Inquiry & Understanding 4

Question 1

The term 'validity' in an experiment refers to:

Accepted Answer

Whether the experiment actually measures what it claims to measure

Answer

Whether measurements are consistent across trials

Answer

Whether the sample size is large enough

Answer

Whether results can be replicated by another lab

Question 2

A researcher finds a strong positive correlation between two variables. This means:

Accepted Answer

As one variable increases, the other tends to increase

Answer

One variable directly causes the other to increase

Answer

The variables are unrelated

Answer

The relationship is perfectly linear

Question 3

In scientific notation, the number 0.00452 is written as:

Accepted Answer

4.52 × 10⁻³

Answer

4.52 × 10²

Answer

45.2 × 10⁻⁴

Answer

0.452 × 10⁻²

Question 4

Which of the following best defines 'reliability' in scientific experimentation?

Accepted Answer

The experiment produces the same results each time it is repeated under the same conditions

Answer

The experiment measures what it was designed to measure

Answer

The results agree with the accepted scientific consensus

Answer

The sample used represents the whole population accurately

Question 5

A student notices that plants near a window grow taller than those in the corner of the room and concludes that light increases plant growth. What is the main weakness of this conclusion?

Accepted Answer

The conclusion ignores other variables like temperature and air circulation near the window

Answer

The student did not measure the plants often enough

Answer

The student should have used more types of plants

Answer

Light has already been proven to affect plant growth so no conclusion is needed

Question 6

When recording a measurement of 25.0 mL rather than 25 mL, the extra zero is significant because it:

Accepted Answer

Indicates the measurement was made to the nearest 0.1 mL

Answer

Makes the number look more precise

Answer

Is required by ATAR examination rules only

Answer

Shows the thermometer was calibrated correctly

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the purpose of a control group in an experiment?

Accepted Answer

To provide a baseline comparison by not receiving the experimental treatment

Answer

To demonstrate what happens when the experiment fails

Answer

To test multiple independent variables simultaneously

Answer

To represent the largest sample in the study