The Nature of Science
Practice Test
1.
Graphs and charts of data can be used for __________.
a.
testing the independent variable
b.
data analysis
c.
formation of a hypothesis
d.
deciding on a control
2.
What type of scientist studies ocean currents and ocean chemistry?
a.
an astronomer
b.
a geologist
c.
an oceanographer
d.
a meteorologist
3.
What is an example of an SI unit of area?
a.
m
2
b.
g/mL
c.
cm
d.
cm
3
4.
A(n) __________ is an explanation that is based on the results of repeated experiments.
a.
theory
b.
hypothesis
c.
law
d.
control
5.
How would the values in the "Percent Carbon Dioxide" column in Figure 2 be presented in scientific notation?
Experiment 1
Experiment 2
Percent
Oxygen
Percent
Carbon
Dioxide
Percent
Nitrogen
Growth
Rate
(mm/day)
Percent
Oxygen
Percent
Carbon
Dioxide
Percent
Nitrogen
Growth
Rate
(mm/day)
1
0.03
98.97
10
21
1
78
15
10
0.03
89.97
11
21
10
69
25
20
0.03
79.97
10
21
20
59
35
30
0.03
69.97
12
21
30
49
43
40
0.03
59.97
11
21
40
39
44
50
0.03
49.97
10
21
50
29
44
a.
30 x 10
-3
b.
3 x 10
2
c.
3 x 10
-2
d.
0.03 x 10
3
6.
What is a hypothesis?
a.
A hypothesis is a suggested explanation of an observation.
b.
A hypothesis is the first step of the scientific method.
c.
A hypothesis is the same as identifying the problem in the scientific method.
d.
A hypothesis is the answer to a scientific question.
7.
A scientist using a device shown in Figure 1 studies which earth system?
a.
biosphere
b.
lithosphere
c.
atmosphere
d.
hydrophere
8.
How many meters are in 1 km?
a.
1/1000 m
b.
10 m
c.
1/100 m
d.
1000 m
9.
What is the general composition of Earth's oceanic crust?
a.
basalt
b.
shale
c.
granite
d.
gneiss
10.
What is the dependent variable in the graph in Figure 3?
Time (s)
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Mass of product (g)
1.5
3.2
4.3
6.0
7.7
9.2
10.4
12.1
a.
mass
b.
weight
c.
product versus time
d.
time
11.
What is the best method to show a change in volume over time?
a.
theory
b.
graph
c.
law
d.
model
12.
In an experiment, the results show a conclusion contrary to the hypothesis. What does this mean?
a.
The hypothesis must be reevluated.
b.
The experiment was bad.
c.
The analysis was incorrect.
d.
The control was not done properly.
13.
Which of the following is not a specialized area of Earth science.
a.
biology
b.
meteorology
c.
geology
d.
astronomy
14.
A __________ studies groundwater and surface water.
a.
geochemist
b.
hydrologist
c.
climatologist
d.
meteorologist
15.
What explains the behavior of natural phenomena?
a.
theories
b.
scientific laws
c.
dependent variables
d.
experiments
