Development of a Theory

Scientists do not base their conclusions on

• ethics

• qualitative data

• quantitative data

• published research

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NGSS.HS-LS4-1

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

If a scientific experiment repeatedly gives the same results, the experiment is

• reliable

• a law

• invalid

• being done by an untrained student

Which question would be MOST appropriate to guide a scientific investigation?

• Which cup material is the best insulator?

• Which room deodorizer smells the sweetest?

• What is the effect of playing video games on memory?

• In a taste test, which soft drink taste better, Coke or Pepsi?

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NGSS.MS-ETS1-2

NGSS.MS-ETS1-3

NGSS.MS-PS3-3

Identify the scientific law from among the following statements.

• The book fell 1 meter in 0.5 seconds

• Gravity acts upon each object on the Earth

• The velocity of the book is 2 meters/second

• I believe that the book will fall faster outside rather than inside the building

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NGSS.HS-PS2-1

NGSS.HS-PS2-4

Why might a scientist repeat an experiment if he/she did not make a mistake in the first one? An experiment should be repeated to

• increase income for increased work

• prove how interesting the study was

• ensure the results are accurate

• eliminate steps and save time

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NGSS.MS-PS1-2

The timeline BEST illustrates that

• publication in scientific journals is necessary to expand any theory.

• peer review and publication is the basis for disproving early theories.

• scientific knowledge builds on prior knowledge; theories can be expanded.

• scientific knowledge builds on prior knowledge; theories are often disproved.

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NGSS.HS-LS2-6

Which of these would not be a VALID scientific theory?

• All cells come from pre-existing cells.

• Humans originated on earth from outer space.

• Atoms are the basic unit of matter.

• At one time, all of Earth's continents were one large land mass.

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NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

NGSS.HS-ESS1-6

The laws of motion discovered in the 17th century were used to explain force, movement, and acceleration for decades. However, by 1905, there were a number of findings that could not be explained by those laws. Which statement BEST describes the eventual outcome?

• The old laws of motion were discarded in favor of new ones.

• Scientists realized the limitations of the scientific method.

• Scientists formulated a new theory that elaborated on the original.

• All the calculations using the old theory were found to be incorrect.

Sometimes, new but well-tested experimental results may go against commonly accepted scientific ideas. Which statement BEST justifies the need to revise the existing ideas when this happens?

• Scientific theories continually change over a period of time.

• A scientific theory must explain as many findings as possible.

• Accepted scientific ideas are usually based on the latest experiments.

• The new results usually show that the accepted ideas were completely wrong.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

NGSS.HS-PS1-2

A statement that is extensively tested and generally accepted.

• Hypothesis

• Theory

• Observation

• Law