OSAT Scientific Inquiry and Principles Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A science class is investigating how the amount of sunlight affects the height of tomato plants. One group of plants is placed in a window that receives direct sunlight for eight hours a day. A second group is placed in a location that receives four hours of direct sunlight. A third group is placed in a closet with no sunlight. All plants receive the same amount of water and are planted in the same type of soil. In this experiment, which factor is the independent variable?
- The type of soil used for the plants.
- The final height of the tomato plants.
- The amount of sunlight the plants receive. (Correct answer)
- The amount of water given to each plant.
Correct answer: The amount of sunlight the plants receive.
The independent variable is the one condition that the experimenter intentionally changes to see its effect. In this scenario, the amount of sunlight is being purposely varied for each group to test its impact on plant height.
Question 2: A student forms a hypothesis that salt water will freeze at a lower temperature than fresh water. According to the scientific method, what is the most logical next step for the student to take?
- Analyze data and form a conclusion.
- Publish the results for other students to review.
- Modify the hypothesis to be more specific.
- Design an experiment to test the hypothesis. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Design an experiment to test the hypothesis.
The scientific method is a sequential process. After formulating a testable hypothesis, the next step is to design and conduct a controlled experiment to gather data that will either support or refute that hypothesis.
Question 3: In a controlled experiment designed to test the effectiveness of a new fertilizer on plant growth, the primary purpose of the 'control group' is to:
- receive a double dose of the new fertilizer.
- be grown under identical conditions but without the new fertilizer. (Correct answer)
- be exposed to multiple different types of fertilizers simultaneously.
- be kept in a different environment from the experimental group.
Correct answer: be grown under identical conditions but without the new fertilizer.
A control group serves as a baseline for comparison. By treating the control group identically to the experimental group in every way except for the variable being tested (the new fertilizer), scientists can confidently attribute any observed differences in growth to the fertilizer itself.
Question 4: A student observes an experiment and records the following statement in a science journal: "After adding the powder to the liquid, the mixture fizzed and the temperature of the beaker increased by 8 degrees Celsius." Which part of this statement represents quantitative data?
- The mixture fizzed.
- The temperature increased by 8 degrees Celsius. (Correct answer)
- The powder was added to the liquid.
- The beaker felt warm.
Correct answer: The temperature increased by 8 degrees Celsius.
Quantitative data involves numbers and measurements. The specific measurement of an 8-degree Celsius temperature increase is quantitative. The observation that the mixture fizzed is qualitative data, as it describes a quality or characteristic without a numerical value.
Question 5: Which of the following questions is the most suitable for a scientific investigation that could be conducted in an elementary classroom?
- Why do some birds migrate south for the winter?
- Are daisies prettier than tulips?
- Does the type of surface (e.g., carpet, tile, wood) affect how far a toy car will travel after rolling down a ramp? (Correct answer)
- What is the best flavor of ice cream?
Correct answer: Does the type of surface (e.g., carpet, tile, wood) affect how far a toy car will travel after rolling down a ramp?
A testable scientific question is one that can be answered by designing and conducting an experiment where variables can be changed and measured. The question about the toy car allows students to change one variable (the surface) and measure another (the distance), making it a testable investigation. The other options are either too complex for the setting, subjective, or based on opinion.
Question 6: When heating a liquid in a beaker on a hot plate in a classroom setting, which of the following is an essential safety precaution?
- Filling the beaker to the brim to prevent heat loss.
- Using glassware that has a small, visible crack to allow for pressure release.
- Leaving the hot plate unattended to allow it to reach maximum temperature quickly.
- Using tongs or heat-resistant gloves to handle the hot beaker. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Using tongs or heat-resistant gloves to handle the hot beaker.
Hot plates and the glassware on them can reach very high temperatures, causing severe burns. It is a critical safety rule to always use appropriate tools, such as tongs or heat-resistant gloves, to handle hot objects.
OSAT Scientific Inquiry and Principles Questions and Answers
A science class is investigating how the amount of sunlight affects the height of tomato plants.
One group of plants is placed in a window that receives direct sunlight for eight hours a day.
A second group is placed in a location that receives four hours of direct sunlight.
A third group is placed in a closet with no sunlight.
All plants receive the same amount of water and are planted in the same type of soil.
In this experiment, which factor is the independent variable?