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nature of science
unit 1 in our textbook
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Empirical evidence | The observations, measurements, and other types of data that people gather and 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 | An organized procedure to study something under controlled conditions |
| Hypothesis | A testable idea or question that leads to a scientific investigation |
| Observation | The process of obtaining information by using the senses; the information obtained by using the senses |
| Independent variable | In a scientific investigation the factor that is deliberately manipulated |
| Dependent variable | In a scientific investigation the factor that changes as a result of manipulation of one or more independent variables |
| Data | Information gathered by observation or experimentation that can be used in calculated or reasoning |
| Model | A representation 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 |
| Trade-off | Giving up of one thing in return for 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 and energy used for the manufacture, transportation, sale, use and disposal of a technology |
| Pugh chart | A table used to compare the features of multipule items |
| Prototype | A test model of a product |