Understanding Science

A hypothesis is a possible explanation about an observation that can be tested by scientific investigations.

• True

• False

When a hypothesis or a group of hypotheses has been tested over and over and has not been supported by scientific investigations, the hypothesis can become a scientific theory.

• True

• False

a possible explanation of an observation that can be tested by scientific investigations

• inference

• observation

• prediction

• hypothesis

the act of using one or more of your senses to gather information and recording what occurs

• inference

• observation

• prediction

• hypothesis

a statement about what will happen next in a sequence of events

• inference

• observation

• prediction

• hypothesis

a logical explanation of an observation that is drawn from prior knowledge or experience

• inference

• observation

• prediction

• hypothesis

Physical science includes

• physics and biology.

• biology and geology.

• chemistry and physics.

• oceanography and chemistry.

Which statement about scientific laws is correct?

• Scientific laws are hypotheses.

• Scientific laws describe patterns in nature.

• Scientific laws explain why something happens.

• Scientific laws are the same as scientific theories.

Which step would most likely occur at the end of a scientific investigation?

• asking questions

• analyzing results

• making predictions

• communicating results

Which of these is NOT a fact?

• an observation

• a measurement

• a personal view