Science Investigation Flashcards

A student measures the length of a caterpillar five times and gets: 3.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.1, and 3.2 cm. What can be said about these measurements?

Answer: They are precise because they are very close together

Precision means repeated measurements are close together; these values cluster tightly around 3.16 cm.

Which statement best describes a scientific law?

Answer: A statement that describes a pattern observed in nature

A scientific law describes a consistent pattern in nature but does not explain the cause.

A student wants to find out if exercise increases heart rate. How many times per day a student exercises is which type of variable?

Answer: Independent variable

The independent variable is what the experimenter changes — in this case, the amount of exercise.

Which action best demonstrates proper lab safety when working with chemicals?

Answer: Wear goggles and gloves throughout the experiment

Wearing goggles and gloves protects eyes and skin from chemical splashes and contact.

A student graphs data from an experiment and the points form a straight line going upward. What relationship do the two variables have?

Answer: Direct (positive) relationship

A straight upward line shows a direct relationship — as one variable increases, the other also increases.

When writing a conclusion for a science investigation, what should the student include?

Answer: Whether the data supported or did not support the hypothesis

A conclusion states whether the evidence supports the hypothesis and summarizes what was learned.

A student uses a thermometer that consistently reads 2°C higher than the actual temperature. This is an example of what type of error?

Answer: Systematic error from a faulty instrument

Systematic error occurs when a measuring tool consistently produces incorrect readings in one direction.