Question | Answer |
hypothesis | prediction or possible answer to a scientific question |
independent variable | purposely being changed or tested; manipulated; on the x-axis |
dependent variable | being measured or observed; the response; on the y-axis |
control group | used for comparision; the "no test" group |
constants | factors kept the same from group to group |
data | information collected during the experiment (numbers, measurements, observations) |
inference | assumptions about observations based on past experiences and knowledge |
observation | information or facts obtained by using the five senses |
scientific law | explains and predicts phenomena in nature, often mathematically based; much accumulated evidence, appears to be without exception |
scientific theory | summarizes a set of hyptheses supported with repeated testing; has yet to be disproven |
bias | an unfair opinion favoring one side or another; swayed; bad! |
mass | the amount of matter in an object |
volume | the amount of space an object occupies |
density | the ratio of mass to volume |
subjective data | opinionated, possibly bias; influenced by personal feelings or experiences |
objective data | data that can be verified with concrete facts and figures; unbiased |
Qualitative Data | information gotten by using your senses- see, hear, touch, taste, smell |
Quantitative data | numerical data - numbers |
Trials | how many times the experiment is repeated |
Duration | how long the experiment lasts |
Conclusion | summary of what happened during the experiment |
Variable | any factor or condition that can be controlled or changed. |
Atom | basic building block of all matter |
Element | basic substance that cannot be broken down any further. |
Matter | anything that has mass and takes up space. |