The Nature of Science
Practice Test
1.
How is 100 000 000 written in scientific notation?
a.
1 x 100 000 000
b.
1 x 10
8
c.
1 x 10
-8
d.
1 x 100
8
2.
What is the standard SI unit for measuring length?
a.
liter
b.
mile
c.
foot
d.
meter
3.
How many meters are in 1 km?
a.
10 m
b.
1/100 m
c.
1000 m
d.
1/1000 m
4.
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.
product versus time
b.
time
c.
weight
d.
mass
5.
What part of an experiment is used to show that results are due to the condition being tested?
a.
dependent variable
b.
control
c.
hypothesis
d.
independent variable
6.
A(n) __________ is an explanation that is based on the results of repeated experiments.
a.
control
b.
hypothesis
c.
law
d.
theory
7.
Graphs and charts of data can be used for __________.
a.
formation of a hypothesis
b.
deciding on a control
c.
testing the independent variable
d.
data analysis
8.
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.
9.
What is technology?
a.
Technology is not important to scientific advancement.
b.
Technology is the study of computers and instruments.
c.
Technology is something that can only be used for science.
d.
Technology is the application of scientific discoveries.
10.
What type of scientist studies ocean currents and ocean chemistry?
a.
a meteorologist
b.
a geologist
c.
an oceanographer
d.
an astronomer
11.
What explains the behavior of natural phenomena?
a.
dependent variables
b.
experiments
c.
theories
d.
scientific laws
12.
What is the best method to show a change in volume over time?
a.
theory
b.
model
c.
law
d.
graph
13.
A __________ is a simplified version of a system.
a.
chart
b.
hypothesis
c.
model
d.
theory
14.
What is the partially molten layer of Earth called?
a.
the biosphere
b.
the lithosphere
c.
the asthenosphere
d.
the hydrosphere
15.
What is the general composition of Earth's continental crust?
a.
granite
b.
basalt
c.
schist
d.
gabbro
16.
What is the standard SI unit of weight?
a.
gram
b.
newton
c.
ounce
d.
pound
17.
The __________ includes organisms living on Earth and their environments.
a.
lithosphere
b.
biosphere
c.
hydrosphere
d.
atmosphere
18.
What is the general composition of Earth's oceanic crust?
a.
shale
b.
basalt
c.
gneiss
d.
granite
19.
Climatology is most closely related to which field?
a.
astronomy
b.
geology
c.
meteorology
d.
oceanography
