Science & The Universe: Solar System and Scientific Method - Fill-in-the-Blank Flashcards

Fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering solar system facts, planetary differences, and the scientific method topics from the lecture notes.

The largest planet in our solar system is __.

Jupiter

The four inner planets are mainly composed of __.

rock

The asteroid belt is located between the orbits of __.

Mars and Jupiter

The eight planets in order from closest to farthest from the Sun are: __.

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune

Terrestrial planets are __ and rocky.

solid

Gas giants are largely composed of __ such as hydrogen and helium.

hydrogen and helium

The second major difference is the lack of a __ surface.

solid

Gas giants are located farther from the Sun because of the __.

heat

Gravity acts as the fundamental force that __ everything together.

holds

The Kuiper Belt is found in the __ reaches of our solar system.

outer

The Kuiper Belt is mostly made of __ bodies.

icy

The asteroid belt is made of __.

rocky materials

The asteroid belt is located between the orbits of and .

Mars and Jupiter

'Goldilocks' zone is the region where Earth's distance from the Sun is just right for water to remain in a __.

liquid water

The control group is the __.

third plot

If the plot treated with the new pesticide has damage similar to the control plot, the new pesticide is __.

ineffective

The independent variable in this experiment is the __.

pesticide type

The dependent variable is the __.

insect damage

The single factor that is altered in an experiment is the __.

independent variable

If data from repeated experiments do not support the hypothesis, the scientist should __.

revise the hypothesis

A structured procedure for collecting information to test a hypothesis is a(n) __.

experiment

The information gathered from experiments is called __.

data

A scientific explanation using known facts/evidence arrived at through repeated testing over time is called a(n) __.

theory

The steps commonly used by scientists in gathering information to test hypotheses and solve problems are called the __ method.

scientific

A testable explanation for a question or problem is a(n) __.

hypothesis

In the plant growth experiment, we are measuring __.

plant growth over time

Factors that can affect results are __.

extraneous variables

An experimental control is __.

a standard for comparison

In an experiment, a 'variable' is __.

anything that can be changed

The independent variable is the __ in an experiment.

factor being tested

The dependent variable is the __.

result of the independent variable

The control group is the __.

group left unchanged / baseline for comparison

Extraneous variables are factors that __ your results and should be eliminated.

affect

An unavoidable source of error is __.

low precision of measurement tools