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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
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
Bays
Harbors
Inlets
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
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