ILEARN Science Investigation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A student wants to test whether the color of light affects plant growth. What is the best way to set up this experiment?
- Change both light color and watering amount
- Keep all variables the same except light color (Correct answer)
- Use different plant species for each color
- Change light color and pot size at the same time
Correct answer: Keep all variables the same except light color
A controlled experiment changes only one variable (light color) while keeping all others constant.
Question 2: Which tool would a scientist use to measure the mass of a small rock sample?
- Graduated cylinder
- Ruler
- Balance scale (Correct answer)
- Thermometer
Correct answer: Balance scale
A balance scale measures mass by comparing an object to known weights.
Question 3: A student records temperature data every hour for 8 hours. What type of graph best shows how temperature changed over time?
- Pie chart
- Bar graph
- Line graph (Correct answer)
- Venn diagram
Correct answer: Line graph
A line graph shows change over time and is best for displaying continuous data trends.
Question 4: During an investigation, a student gets a result that is very different from the other trials. What should the student do?
- Ignore the result and use only the other data
- Report all data including the unusual result (Correct answer)
- Delete the trial and restart the whole experiment
- Change the hypothesis to match the unusual result
Correct answer: Report all data including the unusual result
Scientists must report all collected data honestly, including outliers, and investigate possible causes.
Question 5: What is the purpose of repeating an experiment multiple times?
- To make the experiment take longer
- To increase reliability of the results (Correct answer)
- To use more materials from the lab
- To change the independent variable each time
Correct answer: To increase reliability of the results
Repeating trials increases reliability by showing whether results are consistent.
Question 6: A student measures a liquid's volume using a graduated cylinder. Where should the student read the measurement?
- At the top of the curved surface
- At the bottom of the curved surface (meniscus) (Correct answer)
- At the middle of the liquid
- At the widest point of the cylinder
Correct answer: At the bottom of the curved surface (meniscus)
Volume in a graduated cylinder is read at the bottom of the meniscus for accuracy.
Question 7: Which of the following is an example of qualitative data collected during a science investigation?
- The mass of a rock is 45 grams
- The solution turned bright blue (Correct answer)
- The temperature increased by 5°C
- The plant grew 3 centimeters
Correct answer: The solution turned bright blue
Qualitative data describes qualities or characteristics, not numerical measurements.
ILEARN Science Investigation 2
A student wants to test whether the color of light affects plant growth.
What is the best way to set up this experiment?