Interpreting Scientific Data Flashcards

A bar graph shows the number of birds observed in a park over four seasons: Spring=45, Summer=30, Fall=52, Winter=18. Which season had the fewest bird observations?

Answer: Winter

Winter had the lowest count at 18 birds observed.

A scientist records water temperature at noon each day for a week: 18°C, 19°C, 17°C, 21°C, 20°C, 16°C, 22°C. What is the range of temperatures recorded?

Answer: 6°C

The range is 22°C − 16°C = 6°C.

A line graph shows plant height increasing steadily from Week 1 to Week 4, then remaining flat from Week 4 to Week 6. What does the flat portion of the graph indicate?

Answer: Growth stopped during that period

A flat line means no change in height, indicating growth paused.

Two students measure the length of the same stick. Student A records 24.3 cm and Student B records 24.7 cm. What is the difference between their measurements?

Answer: 0.4 cm

24.7 − 24.3 = 0.4 cm difference between the two measurements.

A table shows that three soil samples have the following pH levels: Sample A=6.2, Sample B=7.0, Sample C=7.8. Which sample is most acidic?

Answer: Sample A

Lower pH values indicate greater acidity, so Sample A at pH 6.2 is most acidic.

A pie chart shows the composition of air: Nitrogen 78%, Oxygen 21%, Other gases 1%. Approximately what fraction of air is oxygen?

Answer: About one-fifth

21% is close to 20%, which is approximately one-fifth (1/5) of the total.

An experiment tests how fertilizer amount affects crop yield. The independent variable is fertilizer amount and yield is measured. What is the dependent variable?

Answer: Crop yield

The dependent variable is what is measured as an outcome — crop yield.