Unit 1: The Nature of Science, Measurement, and Reasoning

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the nature of science, the scientific method, SI metric units and conversions, data visualization methods, and the CER argumentation framework.

Science

Both a body of knowledge (everything known so far) and a process (how that information is acquired).

Systematic

A foundational characteristic of science indicating that it follows a plan, is methodical, proceeds step by step, and actively searches for patterns.

Falsifiable

A necessary feature of any scientific claim meaning there must be a definitive way or test to prove the claim wrong.

Repeatable

The standard in science that an investigation yields similar results over time and that different people obtain similar results when conducting it.

Physical Science

The branch of science that combines chemistry (the study of matter) and physics (the study of the movement of matter, or energy).

Observational Science

A scientific approach that involves observing nature as it exists without manipulating any variables.

Experimental Science

A scientific approach characterized by intentionally manipulating and changing variables in an investigation.

Deductive Reasoning

A form of logical thinking consisting of a series of steps that must lead to a specific, necessary conclusion.

Inductive Reasoning

A form of logical thinking that involves coming to a likely conclusion based on accumulated evidence.

Scientific Theory

The most robust, well-supported claim that science makes about the universe, backed by extensive evidence across multiple agreeing hypotheses.

Scientific Hypothesis

A specific, testable prediction based on prior knowledge that can be applied to a broad range of future situations, typically structured in an if/related/then/because format.

Scientific Bias

Judging evidence based on preconceived ideas rather than evaluating it according to its objective reliability.

Independent Variable

The specific experimental condition or factor that the investigator intentionally changes.

Dependent Variable

The observed measurement or factor that changes as a direct result of manipulating the independent variable.

Quantitative Data

Data expressed as numerical measurements that address questions such as 'How much?' or 'How many?'.

Qualitative Data

Descriptive, non-numerical observational data that answers 'What did it look like?'.

Correlation

A shared or similar pattern observed between two variables that does not inherently mean one causes the other.

Causation

A direct relationship in which a change in one variable produces a change in another variable.

Pseudoscience

A practice or belief that appears and pretends to be science, frequently misusing scientific terminology, but fails to demonstrate the essential traits of science.

Scientific Method

The cyclical process of observation, hypothesis formation, testing, evaluation, and revision that leads to the scientific body of knowledge.

Metric System (SI)

The international standard system of measurement (Système International) derived from natural phenomena and structured around base $10$.

Metric Base Units

The fundamental units from which all other metric measurements derive: meter ($\text{m}$) for length, liter ($\text{L}$) for volume, gram ($\text{g}$) for mass, second ($\text{s}$) for time, Kelvin ($\text{K}$) for temperature, ampere ($\text{A}$) for electricity, mole ($\text{mol}$) for amount, and candela ($\text{cd}$) for brightness.

Metric Prefixes

Standard multipliers applied to base units, including Giga ($1{,}000{,}000{,}000$), Kilo ($1{,}000$), Hecto ($100$), Deka ($10$), Deci ($0.1$), Centi ($0.01$), Milli ($0.001$), Micro ($0.000001$), and Nano ($0.000000001$).

Guess Digit

The final estimated decimal place recorded when taking a reading with an analog measuring instrument to maximize precision.

Line Graph

A visual data representation where plotted points are connected with lines to show trends or changes over time, typically placing the independent variable on the x-axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis.

Bar Graph

A graph that displays counted quantities across distinct categories using bars, organizing categories along the x-axis and numerical counts along the y-axis.

Circle Graph (Pie Chart)

A circular chart divided into proportional sectors to display how a whole data set ($100\%$) is distributed into parts.

CER Framework

An argumentation structure made up of Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning that links an answer directly to supporting empirical data.

Claim (CER)

A complete sentence answering the original question based on lab outcomes, stated directly without including evidence or reasoning.

Evidence (CER)

Specific, relevant observations or numerical data from an investigation that directly support a claim, stated without interpretation.

Reasoning (CER)

The logical justification that explains why the evidence supports the claim by applying an established scientific principle, rule, law, or definition.

Scientific Model

A tentative, simplified description, explanation, or visual representation of a complex natural phenomenon that is never complete or perfect and remains open to improvement.