Scientific Method Basics

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Questions and Answers

What is a crucial aspect of an experiment to ensure unbiased results?

Allowing independent investigators to repeat the experiment (correct)

Having a large sample size

Using complex laboratory equipment

Conducting the experiment only once

What is the primary purpose of publishing research in scientific journals?

To provide an opportunity for others to criticize or agree with the research (correct)

To collect feedback from the general public

To make the research accessible only to experts in the field

To establish the researcher's authority on the topic

What is the difference between a scientific theory and a scientific law?

A law explains why things happen, while a theory describes what happens

A theory explains why things happen, while a law describes what happens (correct)

A theory is a fact, while a law is a guess

A theory is a guess, while a law is a proven fact

What is the first step in the scientific method?

Making an observation Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of science?

Scientific knowledge can be used to support invalid opinions Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of an observation in the scientific method?

To carefully record an event Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a good hypothesis?

It is logical and testable Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a controlled experiment?

To isolate the effect of a single variable Signup and view all the answers

What is a key principle of the scientific method?

Ideas are constantly reevaluated and modified Signup and view all the answers

Why is reproducibility important in the scientific method?

It ensures that results are accurate and reliable Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of scientific inquiry?

Gathering evidence and forming hypotheses to support it Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of peer review in scientific journals?

To confirm the results of an experiment by independent laboratories Signup and view all the answers

What is a common feature of pseudoscience?

The use of misleading language to convince people Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of the spread of misinformation in society?

It takes a toll on certain individuals and society as a whole Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a pseudoscience mentioned in the text?

Vaccine denialism Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary effect of the distribution of heat energy in the ocean on coastal climates?

It moderates the temperature of coastal climates Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate consequence of energy conversion according to the second law of thermodynamics?

High-quality energy is converted into low-quality energy Signup and view all the answers

What is a fundamental principle in science that assumes the existence of specific causes for observed events?

The assumption of specific causes Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between energy conversion and pollution?

Energy conversion increases pollution Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of the scientific method?

To form possible solutions to questions Signup and view all the answers

What can be achieved by improving wind turbines and photovoltaic cells?

Converting low-quality energy into high-quality energy Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between correlation and causation in scientific research?

Correlation does not imply a cause-and-effect relationship, while causation does Signup and view all the answers

What is the limitation of the energy available in the universe?

The amount of energy is limited, and only a small portion of it is high-quality Signup and view all the answers

What is an essential aspect of the scientific method?

Systematic search for information and continual evaluation Signup and view all the answers

What is a key assumption of science that suggests that perceptions are not individualistic?

The concept of universal rules of nature Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of the greenhouse effect?

The rise in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for energy that cannot be used to do useful work?

Entropy Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when orderly arrangements of matter become disordered?

An increase in entropy Signup and view all the answers

What determines the usefulness of energy?

The ability to perform useful work Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the process of energy conversion?

Heat dissipation into the environment Signup and view all the answers

What is the composition of protons and neutrons?

Three quarks each Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary way elements in the same group of the periodic table react with other elements?

They have the same outer shell electrons Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for atoms of the same element that have a different number of neutrons?

Isotopes Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of an atom gaining or losing electrons?

It becomes an ion Signup and view all the answers

What is the composition of a molecule?

Atoms bonded together Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a period in the periodic table?

To group elements by their orbital Signup and view all the answers

What is a common element in our natural environment?

Oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What is the nuclide symbol used to represent?

The number of neutrons in an atom Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of two or more atoms or ions binding together?

A compound Signup and view all the answers

What is the chemical formula for water?

H2O Signup and view all the answers

What is the charge of neutrons in an atom?

No charge Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of atoms in a mixture?

Not chemically bonded to each other Signup and view all the answers

What determines the difference between atoms of different elements?

The number of protons, neutrons, and electrons Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of chemically bonding two or more atoms or ions?