Scientific Concepts Flashcard

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What is a scientific theory?

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A scientific theory explains how or why things happen in nature.

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Does a failed experiment mean no information is gained?

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False. If the results do not support the hypothesis, it still provides valuable information.

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How should a hypothesis about ice cubes melting be tested?

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Observe and record the time for each ice cube to completely change to liquid.

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What does precision describe in scientific measurements?

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Precision describes how close together or reproducible repeated measures are.

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What is the primary purpose of a control group in an experiment?

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To provide a standard for comparison.

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What is the difference between accuracy and precision?

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Accuracy refers to how close a measurement is to the true value, while precision refers to the reproducibility of measurements.

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What is a hypothesis?

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A hypothesis is a testable prediction about the relationship between variables.

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What is the role of variables in an experiment?

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Variables are factors that can change in an experiment, affecting the outcome.

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What is the difference between independent and dependent variables?

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The independent variable is manipulated by the researcher, while the dependent variable is measured in response.

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What is the significance of repeat trials in experiments?

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Repeat trials help ensure the reliability and validity of the results.