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Nature of Science
Unit 1
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Empirical evidence | The observations, measurements, and other types of data that people gather and to test to support and evaluate scientific explanations. |
| Theory | A system of ideas that explains many related observations and Is supported by a large body of evidence acquired through scientific investigation. |
| Law | A descriptive statement or equation that reliably predicts events under certain conditions. |
| Experiment | All of the nonliving things, living things, and processes that make up the planet Earth, including the solid Earth, the hydrosphere, the atmosphere, and the biosphere. |
| Hypothesis | A testable idea or explanation that leads to scientific investigation. |
| Dependent variable | In a scientific investigation, the factor that changes as a result of manipulation of one or more independent variables. |
| Observation | The process of obtaining information by using the sense; the information obtained by using the senses. |
| Independent variable | In a scientific investigation, the factor that is deliberately manipulated. |
| Data | Information gathered by observation or experimentation that can be used in calculating or reasoning. |
| Model | A pattern, plan, representation, or description designed to show the structure or workings of an object , system, or concept. |
| Engineering | The application of science and mathematics to solve real-life problems. |
| Technology | The application of science for practical purposes; the use of tools, machines, materials, and processes to meet human needs. |
| Prototype | A test model of a product. |
| Trade-off | The giving up of one thing in return of another, often applied to the engineering design process. |
| Risk benefit analysis | The comparison of the risks and benefits of a decision or product. |
| Life cycle analysis | The evaluation of the materials an energy used for the manufacture, transportation , sale, use , and disposal of a technology. |
| Pugh chart | A table used to compare the feature of multiple items, such as technological products or solutions. |