Question 1

Scientific hypotheses differ from scientific theories in that they are

Accepted Answer

Scientific hypotheses are tentative explanations that need further evaluation and testing, whereas scientific theories are widely accepted descriptions of what we find happening over and over in nature. Hypotheses are subject to proper investigation and testing, and often lead to the development of theories.

Question 2

All of the following are elements except

Accepted Answer

Water is a compound made up of two elements, hydrogen and oxygen. The other options (B-E) are all elements on their own.

Question 3

Which statement best describes the Bormann-Likens controlled experiment in forest valleys in New Hampshire that compared water flowing out of deforested areas to undisturbed areas?

Accepted Answer

The Bormann-Likens experiment found that deforested areas had a greater volume of water flow and more soil nutrients dissolved in the water compared to undisturbed areas.

Question 4

Which of the following choices best describes the sequence scientists typically use in the beginning stages of their investigations about how nature works?

Accepted Answer

Scientists typically start by identifying a problem, then search the literature to understand existing knowledge, ask a specific question, perform experiments to gather data, and finally analyze the data to draw conclusions.

Question 5

The scientists, with enough data,

Accepted Answer

The answer of The scientists, with enough data,
...

Question 6

When scientists are testing ideas to determine facts, they

Accepted Answer

The scientific process involves following a specific set of logical steps, such as forming a hypothesis, collecting data, analyzing the data, and drawing conclusions. These steps are universal and are used by all scientists in their research.

Question 7

The atomic number is the number of

Accepted Answer

The atomic number of an atom is equal to the number of protons it has in its nucleus. This is a unique identifier for every element on the periodic table, as no two elements have the same number of protons in their atoms.

Question 8

Matter is best described as

Accepted Answer

Matter is best described as anything that has mass and takes up space (occupies volume). It can exist in different phases - solid, liquid, or gas - depending on the conditions such as temperature and pressure. Therefore option E is the correct and comprehensive statement about matter. Option A is partially correct as it only describes the properties of matter, but not its physical state. Options B and D are incorrect as they describe the properties of energy, not matter. Option C is also incorrect as it does not include the property of having mass, which all matter must have.

Question 9

Protons, neutrons, and electrons are all

Accepted Answer

Protons, neutrons, and electrons are all subatomic particles, meaning they are particles that make up atoms. Option A is incorrect because although electrons can be considered a form of energy, protons and neutrons are not. Option B is incorrect because protons and neutrons have almost equal mass, while electrons have much less. Option D is incorrect because protons and neutrons are not negative, and neither are electrons unless they have gained extra electrons to become negative ions. Option E is incorrect because although electrons are charged particles, protons and neutrons are not.

Question 10

Scientific theories are

Accepted Answer

Scientific theories are rarely overturned unless new evidence discredits them. Scientific theories are based on extensive research, experimentation, and evidence, and they are continuously refined and improved over time. However, if new evidence arises that contradicts a scientific theory, it may need to be revised or replaced. This is a normal part of the scientific process and is necessary for the advancement of scientific knowledge.

Question 11

The Bormann-Likens study in the Hubbard Brooks Experimental Forest in New Hampshire can best be described as

Accepted Answer

The Bormann-Likens study involved comparing a control site with an experimental site, studying the effects of removing vegetation on water and nutrient cycles, and demonstrating how scientific research can inform us about human impacts on natural systems.

Question 12

The atomic mass number is equal to the sum of the

Accepted Answer

The atomic mass number of an atom is equal to the sum of its protons and neutrons in the nucleus. Electrons do not contribute significantly to the mass of an atom, so option D is incorrect. Option A is incorrect because isotopes refer to atoms of the same element with different numbers of neutrons, and they are not added to the atomic mass number. Option B is incorrect because electrons do not contribute to the mass number. Option E is incorrect because it only includes the number of protons, not the number of neutrons in the nucleus.

Question 13

An element

Accepted Answer

An element is a substance that cannot be broken down into simpler substances by chemical means. However, elements can combine with one or more other elements to form compounds. Therefore, option C is the correct choice. Options A and D are incorrect because an element is not identical to a compound and can combine with other elements. Option B is incorrect because compounds are made up of elements, not the other way around.

Question 14

A classmate tells you that a statement heard on the news about an environmental process noted in a local ecosystem cannot be true because it has not been scientifically proven. You realize that

Accepted Answer

Science is based on evidence and can support or refute hypotheses, but it cannot prove anything with absolute certainty.

Question 15

A tiny, tawny colored butterfly called the Carson Wandering Skipper was always known for its small and very localized populations. Typically, it was found along the western Nevada and eastern California high desert areas. It was always located close to hot springs and other wet areas that supported salt grass, the host plant it depended on.Recently, the populations went into a steep decline, and a last hold-out area was threatened by imminent construction of a freeway bypass. Biologists became alarmed and began an intensive search for populations in locations other than the spot designated for the freeway bypass. They began their search by identifying all known locations of hot springs, in hopes of finding small populations of the Carson Wandering Skipper close by.
-As they searched for previously unknown populations of the Carson Wandering Skipper, biologists wondered if hot springs were absolutely essential to its survival. This phase of the investigation is

Accepted Answer

Biologists are identifying known locations of hot springs and questioning if these are essential for the butterfly's survival, which aligns with finding out what is known and asking a question.

Question 16

Science

Accepted Answer

Science is an endeavor to discover how nature works, as it involves systematic observation, testing, and analysis to develop and refine our understanding of the natural world. Option A is incorrect because science studies the natural world as it exists now, rather than focusing on its history. Option B correctly describes one of the goals of science, but it is not the primary one. Option C is incorrect because science aims to develop a coherent and consistent body of knowledge, rather than being a random collection of facts. Option D is also incorrect because scientific knowledge is based on large amounts of evidence gathered through rigorous testing and experimentation.

Question 17

A tiny, tawny colored butterfly called the Carson Wandering Skipper was always known for its small and very localized populations. Typically, it was found along the western Nevada and eastern California high desert areas. It was always located close to hot springs and other wet areas that supported salt grass, the host plant it depended on.Recently, the populations went into a steep decline, and a last hold-out area was threatened by imminent construction of a freeway bypass. Biologists became alarmed and began an intensive search for populations in locations other than the spot designated for the freeway bypass. They began their search by identifying all known locations of hot springs, in hopes of finding small populations of the Carson Wandering Skipper close by.
-The biologists' observations that the Carson Wandering Skipper populations had declined is an example of

Accepted Answer

The observation of the decline in the population of the Carson Wandering Skipper is the identification of a problem.

Question 18

The commonest form of the Carbon atom that exists is at times referred to as C¹². An isotope of this atom is called C¹⁴. C¹⁴must have a different number of___________than C¹².

Accepted Answer

Isotopes of the same element have the same number of protons (atomic number) but a different number of neutrons (mass number), hence the only correct answer is D.

Question 19

Which of the following does not characterize frontier science?

Accepted Answer

Scientists may not always agree on the meaning and accuracy of the data involved in frontier science, as it is an emerging and evolving field with preliminary data that may require further testing and validation.

Question 20

What are the important steps involved in critical thinking?

Accepted Answer

All the steps mentioned in options A, B, and C are important, but it is also essential to identify and evaluate personal beliefs and biases. Additionally, being open to many viewpoints is important to avoid confirmation bias, and being skeptical about everything can help in critically evaluating the evidence presented. Hence, option E includes all the critical thinking steps necessary for effective decision making.

Quiz 2: Science, Matter, and Energy