MODULE 1 - THE NATURE OF SCIENCE

experiment

a well-organized procedure that tests an idea

hypothesis

a prediction or explanation that can be tested by experimentation

model

something that represents an idea or object to help people better understand it.

independent variable

variable in an experiment is specifically changed by the scientist

bias

occurs when the expectations of a scientist change how the results of an experiment are viewed

standard

an exact quantity that people agree to use for comparison

density

the mass per unit volume of a material

technology

the application of scientific knowledge of materials and processes to benefit people

society

a group of people that share similar values and beliefs

variable

a factor that can change

volume

the amount of space occupied by an object

control

A standard for comparison that helps to ensure that the experimental result is caused by the condition being tested

dependent variable

A factor that changes in an experiment from manipulation of the independent variable

constant

A factor that does not change in an experiment

scientific law

A statement that describes what happens in

theory

well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations

matter

anything that takes up space and has mass

graph

a visual display of data

International System of Units (SI)

The improved, universally accepted version of the metric system that is based on multiples of ten and includes the meter (m), liter (L), and kilogram (kg)

bar graph

a graph that uses vertical or horizontal bars to show comparisons among two or more items

line graph

a graph that uses one or more lines to show changes in statistics over time or space

circle graph

A graph of data where the entire circle represents the whole or 100%

significant figures

all the digits in a measurement that are directly measured, plus the last digit, which is estimated

mass

the amount of matter in an object

1 significant figure

0.0004 g

2 significant figures

2.3 g

3 significant figures

0.0450 mm

4 significant figures

3,007 m