Term | Definition |
Scientific inquiry | the different ways scientists study the natural world |
hypothesis | a possible answer to a scientific question or explanation for a set of observations |
parameter | a factor that can be measured in a experiment |
manipulated variable | the variable parameter changed on purpose |
responding variable | the variable parameter that changes because of the manipulated variable was changed. |
controlled experiment | a experiment where one parameter is changed at a time |
qualitative data | recorded as notes in a journal |
quantitative data | consists of measurements |
communicating | sharing ideas and conclusions with others with speaking and writing |
model | a picture, diagram, computer image, or other representation of an object or process |
scientific theory | a well-tested explanation of a wide range of observations or experimental results |
scientific law | a statement of what scientists think is going to happen under a particular set of conditions |
data | facts, figures, and other evidence gathered during an experiment |
science | study of the natural world |
observing | using one or more senses to gather information |
inferring | explaining your observations |
predicting | making a forecast based on the past experiences or evidence |
chemistry | the studies of the properties of matter and how it changes |
physics | the study of matter, energy, motion, and forces and how they interact |
graph | a picture of your data |
horizontal axis | the line that runs left to right also known as x-axis |
vertical axis | the line that runs up and down also known as y-axis |
origin | the point where the two axes cross |
coordinate | a pair of numbers used to determine the position of a point on a graph |
data point | the point showing the intersection |
line of best fit | a smooth line that reflects the general pattern of a graph |
linear graph | a line graph where the data points are on a straight line |
slope | the steepness of the graph line |
nonlinear graph | a line graph where the data points do not fall on a straight line |