Quiz: Nature of Science

Which of the following is true about a scientific theory?

• a scientific theory is an explanation

• scientific theories will eventually become scientific laws

• scientific theories are not supported by evidence

• scientific theories are usually rejected because they are only theories

What is the difference between a scientific theory and a scientific law?

• Theories and laws are the same thing: there is no difference.

• A theory will eventually become a law after a long period of time.

• A theory is an explanation of the natural world and a law is a description of the natural world.

• Theories and laws switch back and forth depending on the situation.

Which of the following best describes a hypothesis?

• A hypothesis is an educated guess to a parent's question.

• A hypothesis is the probability an event will occur such as winning the lottery.

• A hypothesis is a prediction about what will happen based on observations and evidence.

• A hypothesis occurs when you fall into freezing water and become very, very cold.

Which choice is an independent variable?

• measuring the distance a student can jump in meters

• counting the number of ants in population

• measuring the lengths of students' hair

• providing different levels of sunlight to plants in an experiment

Sea surface temperatures have a large influence on climate and weather. The surface temperatures of the Atlantic Ocean can vary through the different seasons. During the summer, it can reach about 30 degrees Celsius. The data above is known as _________.

• qualitative

• scientific

• constant

• quantitative

Using one or more of your senses to gather information is called

• Inferring

• Observing

• Predicting

• Hypothesizing

A testable prediction is a

• theory

• law

• hypothesis

• conclusion

The Skittles are yellow, red and green is an example of _____.

• qualitative observations

• quantitative observations

• hypothesis

The variable that is changed by the scientist to test a hypothesis is called the _________________________ .

• dependent variable

• independent variable

• control

Which of the following should be a goal of a scientific investigation?

• to help the scientist make money

• to make sure the scientist is correct

• to help the scientist solve a problem