Practice of Science

Best Friends Animal Society conducted an investigation to see where people get their pets. The graph below shows the data that was collected. What conclusion can be drawn from the graph?

• Cats are taken in as a stray less than dogs are.

• Dogs are acquired from a litter or as strays more than cats are.

• Dogs are adopted from shelters and rescues more than cats are.

• Cats are purchased from breeders and pet stores less than dogs are.

Daniel and Alex are both scientists. Daniel is investigating different fuel sources for cars in the future.  He conducts three trials and then shows Alex his results from each trial. Alex is confused about Daniel’s results, so he decides to conduct the investigation for himself.  Which scientific process did each scientist use?

• Alex and Daniel used each others data to compare their results.

• Alex and Daniel used the same hypothesis to compare their results.

• Daniel used repetition in his experiment while Alex used replication.

• Daniel used replication in his experiment while Alex used repetition.

A team of biology students conducted an investigation to test how four different solutions affect the volume of a raw chicken egg. Four identical raw chicken eggs were placed into four individual containers. Each container had a different solution. After 24 hours, the volume of each egg was measured and recorded. What is the test variable (independent variable) in this investigation?

• type of egg used

• mass of the egg used

• final volume of the eggs

• type of solution in the container

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Kevin wanted to determine the effect of fertilizer on plant growth. He purchased 9 identical plants and separated them into 3 groups. Group 1 did not receive fertilizer, Group 2 received one teaspoon of fertilizer, and Group 3 received two teaspoons of fertilizer. All the plants received the same amount of water and were placed in the same location so they could receive the same amount of sunlight. What was the outcome variable (dependent variable) in Kevin's experiment?

• the type of plant

• the growth of the plant

• the amount of fertilizer

• the amount of sunlight

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A swim team needs new swimsuits and have three different suits to choose from. Each suit is made of a different material. The team decides to conduct an investigation to determine which material will dry faster. The table shows the different experimental designs that the team members came up with. Whose experimental design is most likely to provide the team with reliable data for which suit will dry faster?

• Jose

• Alyssa

• Jayden

• Brandon

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

NGSS.MS-ETS1-3

Above is a graph of the data collected by a physicist while investigating the relationship between the distance between objects and gravity. Which conclusion is supported by the data the physicist collected?

• The force of gravity decreases the closer two objects are.

• The force of gravity increases the further apart two objects are. 

• The force of gravity decreases the further apart two objects are.

• The force of gravity stays the same even when the distance changes.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-4

Tanisha wanted to learn about the behaviors of different birds in her neighborhood and she wrote two investigation plans. Which statement describes the difference between the two investigations?

• Investigation #2 is not an experimental investigation, and investigation #1 is.

• Both investigations will provide scientific knowledge, but investigation #2 uses variables.

• Investigation #1 will not provide the scientists with usable data, and investigation #2 will.

• Both investigations follow a set of procedures to obtain data, but investigation #1 has a control group

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

Alexis is planning to grow bean plants from seeds. She wants to find out if 15°C or 32°C is the best temperature for growing these plants. She sets up her experiment as shown. Alexis's teacher tells her to review her experimental design for errors. What error did her teacher find in her experimental design? 

• She changed too many variables in the experiment. 

• The temperatures she kept the plants at were not the same.

• She should have used different seed types in Tray X and Tray Y.

• The amount of sunlight the plants were exposed to was not the same.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

A class conducted an investigation to collect data on how different types of soil absorbed heat from a light source. Each group’s investigation and data are in the table. What is most likely the cause of the difference in the data between Group 1 and Group 2?

• the soil types

• the procedures used

• how data was collected

• the amount of time in the light

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Brittney measured the brightness of a star by making observations on four different evenings and recorded her results. She took detailed notes on the type of equipment and procedures she used. She then shared the information with Andre so that he could check her findings. Which statement below best explains how this is an example of replication?

• Brittney discusses her experiment to confirm her results.

• Brittney evaluates her experiment by making multiple observations.

• Andre creates his own experiment using his own procedures to compare results.

• Andre conducts Brittney's experiment by following the same procedure in her detailed notes.