Overall 6th grade Science Review ( Virginia Standards )

Experimental Design

A step-by-step procedure that scientists used to do experiments.

Observation

To examine something closely using all of your senses. An observation does not include opinions.

Inference

An explanation of why something happened. An inference is how you explain what you observed.

Hypothesis

A possible answer to your experiment's problem. It is a prediction that can be tested.

Problem

The question that the experiment is designed to answer. It is the reason that you are doing the experiment.

Data

Measurements & facts obtained from the experiment. Data are used as a basis for drawing conclusions.

Procedure

The steps taken to carry out an experiment.

Analysis

An examination of the results of the experiment. A search for relationships within the data (often by using graphs).

Conclusion

Compares the hypothesis to the experiment's results. A search for relationships within the data.

Constant

Compares the hypothesis to the experiment's results. A search for relationships within the data.

Control or Control Group

The item or group of items which are the standard for comparison. A test that is performed by removing the independent variable.

Independent Variable (IV)

The part of the experiment that the scientist changes on purpose.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The part of the experiment that changes as a result of the independent variable. The dependent variable is the change that you are measuring.

Theory

A scientifically testable general principle offered to explain something in nature. It can accurately predict the outcome of future experiments and observations.

Law

Something that has been proven to occur over and over again whenever certain conditions exist or are met.

Length

The measure of how long something is; the measurement of anything from end to end; metric base unit= meters.

Volume

The amount of space something fills up or occupies; metric base unit= liters.

Mass

The amount of matter in something; metric base unit = grams.

Weight

A measure of the force of gravity on an object

Density

The ratio of mass to volume. Quantity or number per unit, as of area. D= M/V answer is in unit 2

Experimental Group

The group that has variables acting upon it so that it can be compared with the results of the control group.

Metric System

A measurement system based on 10's and is used internationally.

Qualitative Data

An observation that is based upon something that cannot be measured (quality). (Examples: sweetness, color, smell, taste)

Quantitative Data

Measurable data gathered in a numeric form (quantity). (Examples: length, volume, mass, temperature, pH, pressure)

Bias

A preformed judgment or unfavorable opinion about something.

What is a watershed?

Area of land that water drains over, under or through to a water body

What states are apart of the Chesapeake bay watershed?

Virginia, West Virginia, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, & Delaware

What are the major rivers in order from north to south that drain into the Chesapeake Bay?

Susquehanna, Potomac, Rappahannock, York & James

What separates watersheds?

Divide or ridgeline

What is a wetland?

A land area that is covered with a shallow layer of water during some or all of the year

What are the two categories of wetlands?

Coastal & Inland

What are the four other names for wetlands?

1)Bogs

2)Marshes

3)Swamps

4)Wet Meadows

Why are wetlands important?

1)Filters

2)Absorbs flood & Rain water

3) Provides Habitats

4)Prevents Erosion

What is an estuary?

A partially enclosed area of land where freshwater and saltwater mix.

What are the 5 types of estuaries?

1)Lagoons

2) Bays

3) Harbors

4) Inlets

5) Sounds

What are estuaries known as?

Nurseries of the Sea

Why are estuaries known as nurseries of the sea?

Because they provide a safe area for baby organisms to be born, grow and raise.

What do nitrates come from?

Fertilizers

What do phosphates do?

Detergents

Why are nitrates and phosphates bad for our water?

They create an increase in algae and algal blooms which cause dead zones

What is turbidity?

How clear the water is

With more turbidity what happens to the temperature of the water?

Temperature increase

What is salinity?

The amount of salt in water

It there is a flood, what will happen to the salinity?

Salinity will decrease

If there is a drought, what will happen to the salinity?

Salinity will increase

What is dissolved oxygen?

The amount of oxygen molecule between water molecules. This is what sea/aquatic life use to breath in the water.

What produces dissolved oxygen?

Aquatic vegetation / Sea plants

What takes away dissolved oxygen?

Algae or algal blooms ( from nitrates & phosphates)

What is a tributary?

a river or stream that flows into a larger river

Potomac River is a tributary of what body of water?

Chesapeake Bay

What is the order from smallest to largest does our water flow?

Smallest: Bull Run River

- Potomac River

- Chesapeake Bay

Largest: Atlantic Ocean

What is erosion?

Process of earth being MOVED SUDDENLY by wind or water

What is weathering?

Weathering is the breaking down of rock over a long period of time. NO MOVEMENT

What does abiotic mean?

Non-living

What does biotic mean?

living

What does Point source pollution mean?

Pollution that comes from a specific area

What does non point source pollution mean?

Pollution that does not come from a specific area or comes from a broad area

What are the layers of the atmosphere (Furthest to closest)

Exosphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere, Stratosphere, Troposphere

What is found in the Troposphere?

Weather, majority of gases,Planes, birds and everything we think of being in the sky

What is found in the Stratosphere?

ozone layer & Weather Balloons

What is found in the Mesosphere?

Meteors burn here. It is the coldest layer

What is found in the Thermosphere?

Northern Lights, Aura Borealis

What is found in the Exosphere?

Outer most layer, exit to space. Satellites are here.

Which layer of the atmosphere is the coldest?

Mesosphere

Which layer of the atmosphere is the warmest?

Thermosphere

Which layer has the most pressure?

Troposphere

Why does the 1st layer of atmosphere have the most pressure?

There are layers of atmosphere above it pushing down/ acting on it.

Where does the Earth get it's heat?

The Sun

Does the sun's rays heat the Earth evenly?

No

What area on Earth gets the most direct rays from the sun?

Equator

What area on Earth gets the least direct rays from the sun?

Poles

What are the 3 ways heat is transferred?

conduction, convection, radiation

What ways does heat move through conduction?

Through a solid

What is an example of conduction ?

metal rod

What ways does heat move through convection?

Through a fluid (Liquid or gas)

What is an example of convection?

boiling water

What ways does heat move through radiation?

Through Waves

What is an example of radiation?

Sun, microwaves

In high pressure is density high or low?

High

In low pressure is density high or low?

Low

In high pressure is the temperature warm or cool?

Cool

In low pressure is the temperature warm or cool?

Warm

In high pressure what type of weather would you have?

Sunny and fair

In low pressure what type of weather would you have?

Rain and snowy

As altitude increases, pressure________________.

Decreases

As altitude decreases, pressure ____________________.

Increases

What causes wind?

sun unevenly heating the Earth, Earth's rotation, pressure changes