OSAT Scientific Inquiry and Principles Flashcards

A student measures the length of a pencil as 14.2 cm, 14.1 cm, and 14.3 cm in three trials. The actual length is 14.2 cm. These measurements are best described as:

Answer: Both accurate and precise

The measurements cluster closely together (precise) and are centered on the true value (accurate), so they are both.

Which of the following is an example of a systematic error in an experiment?

Answer: A balance that consistently reads 2 grams too heavy

Systematic errors consistently skew results in the same direction, such as a miscalibrated instrument.

When designing an experiment, operational definitions are used to:

Answer: Explain how variables will be measured

Operational definitions specify exactly how a variable will be measured or manipulated in a study.

A student's experiment shows that caffeine increases heart rate. To strengthen this conclusion, the student should:

Answer: Increase the number of trials and subjects

Increasing the number of trials and subjects reduces variability and strengthens the reliability of conclusions.

Which SI unit is used to measure the amount of a substance?

Answer: Mole

The mole (mol) is the SI base unit for the amount of substance, defined by Avogadro's number.

Scientific models are most useful because they:

Answer: Allow scientists to visualize and test ideas about complex systems

Scientific models simplify complex systems to help scientists visualize, predict, and test explanations.

Which of the following practices BEST protects the integrity of scientific research?

Answer: Maintaining detailed lab notebooks and transparent methods

Detailed documentation and transparent methods allow others to evaluate, replicate, and build on research.