RICAS Scientific Inquiry 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the scientific method?
- A systematic process for investigating phenomena through observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and analysis (Correct answer)
- A single experiment
- A math formula
- A way to write lab reports
Correct answer: A systematic process for investigating phenomena through observation, hypothesis, experimentation, and analysis
The scientific method is the structured approach scientists use: observe, question, hypothesize, experiment, analyze data, and draw conclusions.
Question 2: What is the difference between a hypothesis and a theory?
- A hypothesis is a testable prediction; a theory is a well-supported explanation (Correct answer)
- They are the same thing
- A theory is less certain than a hypothesis
- A hypothesis cannot be tested
Correct answer: A hypothesis is a testable prediction; a theory is a well-supported explanation
A hypothesis is an educated guess that can be tested, while a theory is a broad explanation supported by extensive evidence from multiple experiments.
Question 3: What is a controlled variable in an experiment?
- A factor kept constant to ensure a fair test (Correct answer)
- The variable being measured
- The variable being changed
- An unexpected result
Correct answer: A factor kept constant to ensure a fair test
Controlled variables are kept the same throughout the experiment so that any changes in the dependent variable can be attributed to the independent variable.
Question 4: What is the difference between mass and weight?
- Mass is the amount of matter; weight is the gravitational force on that matter (Correct answer)
- They are identical
- Mass changes with location; weight stays constant
- Weight is measured in kilograms
Correct answer: Mass is the amount of matter; weight is the gravitational force on that matter
Mass is constant regardless of location and measures the amount of matter. Weight varies with gravity and is a measure of gravitational force.
Question 5: What is the law of conservation of energy?
- Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed (Correct answer)
- Energy is always increasing
- Energy can be created from nothing
- Energy always decreases
Correct answer: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed
The law of conservation of energy states that the total energy in a closed system remains constant — it can change forms but cannot be created or destroyed.
Question 6: What is the difference between an element and a compound?
- An element is a pure substance; a compound is two or more elements chemically combined (Correct answer)
- They are the same thing
- A compound is simpler than an element
- An element contains multiple types of atoms
Correct answer: An element is a pure substance; a compound is two or more elements chemically combined
Elements consist of one type of atom (e.g., oxygen), while compounds are substances formed by chemical combination of two or more different elements (e.g., water = Hâ‚‚O).
RICAS Scientific Inquiry 1
What is the scientific method?