Science Process Skills Home Learning Modified True/False Indicate whether the statement is true or false. If false, change the identified word or phrase to make the statement true. 1 An explanation backed by results obtained from repeated tests or experiments is a scientific law. 2 An object in motion stays in motion unless acted on by another force. This statement describes something that always happens in nature, without explaining why it happens. This is an example of a scientific law. 3 The statement The air temperature is 35 degrees is a(n) opinion. 4 The International System of Units makes it easier for scientists from different countries to communicate. 5 In a scientific study, investigators directly change the dependent variable. 6 The hypothesis in a scientific inquiry never changes, Multiple Choice Identify the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question. 1 Reggie gathered equipment for an investigation. He will place a starch solution in a plastic bag and then place the sealed bag into a beaker containing an iodine solution. The bag will serve as a membrane through which only small particles can pass. His hypothesis will predict which substances will move through the bag. Which information should he MOST likely use to develop his hypothesis? A the results he obtains after this investigation B the amount of iodine solution in the beaker C the size of starch and iodine particles D the type of starch solution
2 The chart shows different scientists and their contributions to germ theory. Which is the BEST conclusion based on the information in the chart? F Scientific discoveries are made mostly by doctors. G Most disease-causing germs have been kept under control since 1928. H Robert Koch s work provided a basis for Alexander Fleming s discoveries. J The earliest contributions to the science of medicine were made by William Farr. 3 Mr. Garcia s science class was studying energy and ways to cut energy costs. All of the students were to compare his or her electric bill for October to the one they would receive in November. All of the students would have a list of energy-saving tips that they would follow during November. Which would be the MOST uncontrollable factor in their investigation? A the list of energy-saving tips to follow B the outdoor temperature in November C the amount of time given to the investigation D the accuracy of the October and November bills 4 Trisha wonders if animals use one paw more often than another. She conducts an investigation using her two dogs and three cats. She puts a treat in a cup and watches to see which paw each pet uses to try to grab the treat. She conducts this test on each pet three times and records the results each time. What else should Trisha do to make sure her results are valid? F Use different kinds of treats in each trial of the test.
G Conduct the same tests on different kinds of animals. H Use cups with different-sized openings for each test. J Conduct the same tests on pets belonging to other people. 5 Laboratory rats were fed blueberry, strawberry, or spinach supplements along with their regular food. After eight weeks, the rats were given memory and motor skills tests. The rats given the blueberry supplement showed the most improvement. Which is the independent (manipulated) variable of the investigation? A the motor skills test B the aging process C the memory test D the supplements 6 In a laboratory activity, four different types of rock were placed in identical acid solutions for one week. Each sample was then measured to see if any of the rock mass was dissolved by the acid solution. Which is the dependent (responding) variable in this activity? F the type of acid G the type of rock tested H the length of time of the test J the amount of dissolved rock 7 Eric wanted to find out how many types of birds were found in the local park throughout the day. The chart shows the results of the investigation. Adding which variable would MOST likely change the results of the investigation? A performing the investigation at a different park B including all the animals found in the park C counting the number of trees in the park D using a calculator for the totals 8 Students conducted an investigation with green bananas. They hypothesized that an onion placed near a banana could increase the rate at which the banana ripened. They placed one onion and one banana in each of three containers. In a fourth container they placed a banana, but no onion. Which statement BEST explains why the onion was left out of the fourth container?
F The onion would contaminate the fourth trial. G The container without the onion is the control. H Three containers with onions are enough to conduct the test. J The container without the onion is the independent variable. 9 Students conducted an investigation that required measuring the ph of water samples. They repeated the investigation three times. The students decided that one ph measurement was incorrect. After analyzing the data, what MOST likely helped the students figure out there was an incorrect measurement? A One member of the group used new litmus paper. B The students kept good records of their investigations. C One student remembered taking a wrong measurement. D The teacher told the students that one measurement had an error. 10 Katherine wants to know if water at different temperatures will freeze at the same rate. She fills three identical bottles with water. The temperature of the water in each bottle is different. Then Katherine puts the bottles side-by-side in the freezer. Which information should be recorded to reach a conclusion? F the size of the bottles G the temperature of the freezer H the time it takes for the water to freeze J the temperature of the water in the bottles 11 Lorraine investigates how the position of the Sun in the sky changes over time. Each Sunday at noon, Lorraine draws a chalk line at the edge of the sunlight on the floor. She repeats this procedure every week for three months.
How can Lorraine BEST improve her observations? A Erase the line on the floor before drawing the next one. B Predict where the line will be the following week. C Write the date next to each line on the floor. D Change the color of the line each week. 12 Sarah wants to know what will happen when water is added to bean seeds. She puts five bean seeds and a wet paper towel in a clear, plastic bag. She tapes the bag to a window so the beans will get sunlight. To get accurate results, which should Sarah do each morning when she observes the bag of beans? F Plan what she will do next in the investigation. G Guess how much the beans have grown. H Write down what she sees in the bag. J Add more beans to the bag. 13 Dennis conducted an investigation on the effect of friction on a toy car. Dennis had a ramp that he moved onto four different surfaces. During each trial, he rolled the toy car down the ramp and measured the distance the car traveled from the bottom of the ramp. He repeated the investigation three times on each surface. His data are shown in the table.
Based on Dennis s results, what should he conclude? A The toy car rolled the greatest distance on wood. B The toy car rolled the shortest distance on gravel. C The toy car rolled farther on sand than on blacktop. D The toy car rolled farther on gravel than on blacktop. 14 A farmer thinks a new kind of feed will help his hens lay more eggs. To find out, he put his hens into two equal groups. Group 1 receives the old feed and Group 2 receives the new feed. What will the farmer need to compare in order to determine if his hypothesis is supported by the data? F the size of the hens in each group G the size of the eggs each group lays H the total number of hens in each group J the total number of eggs each group lays 15 Juan finished a jug of milk and placed the lid back on the jug. Later he heard a pop and saw the lid on the floor. He decided to conduct an investigation using different empty containers with lids to see how long it takes for the lids to pop off. What will be the dependent (responding) variable in this investigation? A the size of each lid B the size of each container C the place where the containers are set D the time it takes for each lid to pop off 16 Amy wants to know how different liquids added to paint affect the drying time. She uses three paper plates and spreads just paint on Plate 1, paint mixed with glue on Plate 2, and paint mixed with water on Plate 3. Amy records how long it takes the mixtures to dry.
Which BEST states why Amy puts just paint on Plate 1? F It helps her compare the data. G It helps her form a hypothesis. H It is being used as the dependent variable. J It is being used as the independent variable. 17 Claudia investigates on which type of surface her skateboard will travel the farthest. She pushes her skateboard with the same amount of force on a sidewalk, grass, and a street. Claudia records the results and compares the distances the skateboard traveled. What is the independent (manipulated) variable? A the surface used B the amount of force C the distance traveled D the type of skateboard 18 Which of the following is a way that scientists communicate their results to others? F speak at a conference G write scientific articles H exchange information on the Internet J all of the above 19 Which is NOT a result of scientific inquiry? A adding more branches of science B possible explanations for questions C technology D new materials 20 Which of the following describes a pattern or an event in nature that is always true? F scientific theory H scientific experiment G scientific law J scientific truth 21 Which of the following is a scientific law? A Plate tectonics explains the movement of Earth s crust. B If you drop an object, it will fall to Earth. C Earth is the center of the solar system. D The Sun is the center of the solar system. 22 A scientific law does which of the following? F describes a pattern in nature. G explains observations and events. H both a and b J neither a nor b
23 Which of the following is a fact? A Action movies are the most fun to watch. B Cars made in the United States are the best cars. C More white cars are sold every year than any other color. D All of the choices are facts. 24 In a controlled experiment, which variable does the investigator change? F dependent variable H experimental variable G independent variable J factor