The Nature of Science Segment

1. A test for a hypothesis is called a(n)

Experiment

2. All of the factors that are kept the same throughout the experiment in all test groups are called

Constants

3. The factor or condition that is being measured as a result of the independent variable is called the

Dependent variable

4. An organized way to learn about nature is called

Science

5. The factor or condition that is being changed or manipulated on purpose is called the

independent variable

6. A test in which only ____ variable(s)  is changed at a time is called a controlled experiment.

One

7. What is the independent variable in Maggie’s experiment?

Week	Height of Plants in Container with Vinegar (cm)	Height of Plants in Container without Vinegar (cm)
1	10.0	10.0
2	12.4	11.5
3	14.8	13.0
4	18.0	15.7
5	21.4	17.8

Independent variable = Plants with vinegar

8. What is the dependent variable in Maggie’s experiment?

Week	Height of Plants in Container with Vinegar (cm)	Height of Plants in Container without Vinegar (cm)
1	10.0	10.0
2	12.4	11.5
3	14.8	13.0
4	18.0	15.7
5	21.4	17.8

dependent variable = plant height

9. The control group in Maggie’s experiment '

Scenario:

Maggie read that some plants grow better if the soil is acidic. She cannot believe that a plant can grow when exposed to acid. Maggie did some research and decided to test if the roses she has will grow better when a weak acid is added to the soil. 

She put potting soil in two planting containers and transplanted two of her rose plants that seemed about the same size into the pots. Maggie put a tablespoon of vinegar in the water she gave to one of the plants. She put the pots in the same location so that they both get the same sunlight each day, were at the same temperature and she made sure they get the same amount of water. 

Plants without vinegar

10. Identify several constants in Maggie’s experiment 

Scenario:

Maggie read that some plants grow better if the soil is acidic. She cannot believe that a plant can grow when exposed to acid. Maggie did some research and decided to test if the roses she has will grow better when a weak acid is added to the soil. 

She put potting soil in two planting containers and transplanted two of her rose plants that seemed about the same size into the pots. Maggie put a tablespoon of vinegar in the water she gave to one of the plants. She put the pots in the same location so that they both get the same sunlight each day, were at the same temperature and she made sure they get the same amount of water. 

constants = same size rose plants, same amount of sunlight, same temperature, same amount of water

11. Which statement is a correctly written problem statement for Maggie’s experiment?

    a. The effect of vinegar on the height of rose plants

    b. If vinegar is added to rose plants, then the plants will grow taller.

Scenario:

Maggie read that some plants grow better if the soil is acidic. She cannot believe that a plant can grow when exposed to acid. Maggie did some research and decided to test if the roses she has will grow better when a weak acid is added to the soil. 

She put potting soil in two planting containers and transplanted two of her rose plants that seemed about the same size into the pots. Maggie put a tablespoon of vinegar in the water she gave to one of the plants. She put the pots in the same location so that they both get the same sunlight each day, were at the same temperature and she made sure they get the same amount of water. 

Problem statement: a

12. Which of the following is the correct hypothesis for Maggie’s experiment?

    a. The effect of vinegar on the height of rose plants

    b. If vinegar is added to rose plants, then the plants will grow taller.

Scenario:

Maggie read that some plants grow better if the soil is acidic. She cannot believe that a plant can grow when exposed to acid. Maggie did some research and decided to test if the roses she has will grow better when a weak acid is added to the soil. 

She put potting soil in two planting containers and transplanted two of her rose plants that seemed about the same size into the pots. Maggie put a tablespoon of vinegar in the water she gave to one of the plants. She put the pots in the same location so that they both get the same sunlight each day, were at the same temperature and she made sure they get the same amount of water. 

Hypothesis: b

13. What is a step of the scientific method not used in Maggie’s experiment?

Scenario:

Maggie read that some plants grow better if the soil is acidic. She cannot believe that a plant can grow when exposed to acid. Maggie did some research and decided to test if the roses she has will grow better when a weak acid is added to the soil. 

She put potting soil in two planting containers and transplanted two of her rose plants that seemed about the same size into the pots. Maggie put a tablespoon of vinegar in the water she gave to one of the plants. She put the pots in the same location so that they both get the same sunlight each day, were at the same temperature and she made sure they get the same amount of water. 

Maggie did not draw a conclusion, share results

14. The independent variable in this experiment is 

independent variable = weeks of practice

15. Based on the data, the amount of words per minute typed ______over the ten weeks of practice.

The amount of words per minute typed increases over the ten weeks of practice.