hypothesis
possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answers to a scientific question
observation
process of noticing and describing events or processes in a careful, orderly way
independent variable
factor in a controlled experiment that is deliberately changed; also called manipulated variable
dependent variable
variable that is observed and that changes in response to the independent variable; also called the responding variable
control group
group in an experiment that is exposed to the same conditions as the experimental group except for one independent variable
data
evidence; information gathered from observation
conclusion
a statement made based on experimental measurements and observations
inference
a logical interpretation based on prior knowledge and experience
experimental group
a group that receives the variable, or treatment, that the researchers are testing
controlled experiment
experiment in which only one variable is changed
theory
well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations and hypotheses, enabling scientists to make accurate predictions about new situations
graduated cylinder
used to measure the volume of liquids / transfer liquids
electronic balance
used to measure the weight of something (measured in grams)
thermometer
an instrument used for measuring and indicating temperature
magnitude
measurement of how large a quantity is
volume
the amount of space occupied by a substance (measured with a beaker, flask, graduated cylinder)
mass
the amount that something weighs (measured with an electronic scale)
length
the amount of distance between two points (measured with a meter stick, ruler)
temperature
the degree of hotness or coldness of a body or environment (measured with a thermometer)
meter
standard unit of measurement used to label the length of an object
liter
standard unit of measurement used to label the volume of a substance
gram
standard unit of measurement used to label the weight of an object