Practice of Science

Kevin wanted to find out which of his toy cars, the Corvette or the Mustang, would roll downhill faster. He made a ramp by putting several books under one end of a board so that the board was slanted.
Which would be the best way for him to perform his experiment?

• Roll each car down the ramp separately five times and estimate which car looked faster.

• Roll both cars down the ramp together one time and see which one gets to the bottom first.  

• Roll each car down the ramp separately one time, and time them with the second hand on his watch.

• Roll both cars down the ramp together five times and record which gets to the bottom first each time.

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When a another scientist does someone's experiment to see if the results are valid?

• repetition

• replication

• experimental method

• controlled variable

Scientists frequently repeat the experiments of others scientists. Why is this important in science?

• Scientists often ask each other for help in performing experiments.

• Replication of experiments helps to confirm and verify results.

• Scientists frequently perform other scientists’ experiments in order to practice their technique.

• Repeating experiments is an effective way to make sure a laboratory is in optimal condition.

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Dr. Smith has been reading about another scientist’s research in a physics journal. He plans to do these experiments himself and see if he gets the same result.

• repetition

• replication

Things that stay the same throughout the whole experiment are called

• controls

• conclusions

• independent variables

• constants

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What is a hypothesis?

• a guess

• an educated guess

• a prediction

Name 3 types of information that you hypothesis can be based on.

• observations, research, background knowledge

• guessing, internet, previous experiments

• records, data, opinions

What tools are used to make observations?

• Bunsen burner, graduated cylinder, etc

• test tubes, beakers, etc

• your 5 senses

In the scientific method what step comes after making an observation?

• forming a hypothesis

• conducting your experiment

• making a conclusion

• asking a question

Why is it necessary to have a control group in an experiment?

• experiments don't need a control group

• compare what happens in that group to the experimental group

• makes the experiment better