1.1 Introduction to Science

The study of the natural world through observation and tests.

• Science

• Experiment

• Investigation

• Hypothesis

A possible explanation or answer that an experiment may test.

• Science

• Experiment

• Investigation

• Hypothesis

A fair test of a question or idea that is often a part of an investigation.

• Science

• Experiment

• Investigation

• Hypothesis

A planned, thorough set of experiments for gathering information.

• Science

• Experiment

• Investigation

• Hypothesis

Which step is part of a typical science investigation?

• asking questions about observations of nature

• changing a plan in the middle of an experiment

• recording only the observations that support the hypothesis

• none of these

Which step is part of a typical science investigation?

• planning an experiment to test a hypothesis

• changing a plan in the middle of an experiment

• recording only the observations that support the hypothesis

• none of these

Which step is part of a typical science investigation?

• making observations, often with tools such as a magnifying glass

• changing a plan in the middle of an experiment

• recording only the observations that support the hypothesis

• none of these

In an investigation, a team of scientists observes ants in several locations. Some locations have hard, dense soil, while other locations have light, sandy soil. The scientists analyze each type of soil, and they measure and record the size of each ant hill.

Which question is most likely to be answered by the results of this investigation?

• How does soil affect the tunnels that ants dig?

• Where do ants learn to dig in soil?

• Can ants dig through solid rock?

• Why do ants dig tunnels in soil?