Nature of Science Study Guide Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering lab safety protocols, experimental variables, scientific observations, core scientific terms, and the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) framework.

ANSI splash-proof safety goggles

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that must always be worn prior to handling heat, glassware, or chemicals.

Independent Variable (IV)

The factor intentionally changed by the scientist, representing the cause in a controlled experiment.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The factor measured or observed in an experiment, representing the effect.

Constants

Factors kept identical across all trials in an experiment to ensure a fair test.

Qualitative Observations

Descriptive qualities gathered using the senses, such as observing that a liquid turned dark grey or bubbles formed.

Quantitative Observations

Numerical measurements accompanied by units, such as $3.5\,\text{cm}$ height, $12\,\text{millibars}$ drop, or $50\,\text{grams}$.

Observation

Direct factual data gathered by tools or senses, defined as the act of noticing and recording information about phenomena or events.

Inference

A logical explanation based on direct factual observations.

Hypothesis

An educated guess or a proposed explanation for a phenomenon.

Scientific Theory

An explanation of a phenomenon of the natural world.

Experiment

A test conducted to determine if a scientific explanation is correct.

Scientific Law

A statement that describes an observed phenomenon.

Science

The study of the physical natural world to explain phenomena, generating durable knowledge to which people from all cultures contribute.

Scientific Method

A system for advancing knowledge by asking questions and collecting data through testing hypotheses and experiments.

Claim

A one-sentence statement about the results of an investigation that answers the question investigated, describes the relationship between dependent and independent variables, and does not start with yes or no.

Evidence

Sufficient and appropriate scientific data—qualitative, quantitative, or a combination of both—used to support a claim.

Reasoning

The justification that ties together the claim and the evidence, showing how or why the data counts as evidence using one or more scientific principles.