Question

1. which step of the scientific method comes first? a) hypothesis b) observation c) experiment d) conclusion 2. a hypothesis is best described as: a) a proven fact b) an educated guess that can be tested c) a summary of data collected d) a law of nature 3. in an experiment testing fertilizers effect on plant growth, the independent variable is: a) plant height b) type of fertilizer used c) amount of sunlight d) soil type 4. which of the following is a control group? a) plants given new fertilizer b) plants given water only c) plants placed in sunlight d) plants grown in different soils 5. the dependent variable is: a) what the scientist changes b) what stays constant c) what the scientist measures d) the hypothesis 6. a constant in an experiment is: a) a factor kept the same for all groups b) the variable being tested c) the conclusion d) the error 7. which statement is a proper hypothesis? a) if salt is added to water, then the freezing point will decrease. b) salt water freezes at a lower temperature. c) the freezing point of water is 0°c. d) salt makes ice melt faster. 8. which of the following is qualitative data? a) 15 cm plant height b) 5 ml of liquid c) leaves are bright green d) temperature is 25°c 9. which of the following is quantitative data? a) the solution is cloudy b) the reaction makes a fizzing sound c) the liquid volume is 100 ml d) the flower smells sweet 10. a good experiment must be: a) expensive and high - tech b) repeated and replicable c) complex with many variables d) performed by multiple scientists 11. a student tests if listening to music affects test scores. the independent variable is: a) type of music played b) students test scores c) the test given d) noise level in the room

Explanation:

1. Observation is the first step in the scientific - method as it leads to formulating a question and hypothesis.
2. A hypothesis is an educated guess that can be tested through experiments.
3. In an experiment testing fertilizer's effect on plant growth, the type of fertilizer used is what the scientist manipulates (independent variable).
4. A control group is not exposed to the variable being tested. Plants given water only are a control group when testing fertilizer.
5. The dependent variable is what the scientist measures as a result of changing the independent variable.
6. A constant is a factor that is kept the same for all groups in an experiment to ensure valid results.
7. A proper hypothesis is an "if - then" statement that can be tested. "If salt is added to water, then the freezing point will decrease" is a proper hypothesis.
8. Qualitative data is descriptive, like "leaves are bright green".
9. Quantitative data is numerical, like "the liquid volume is 100 mL".
10. A good experiment must be repeatable and replicable to be valid.
11. In the experiment of music and test scores, the independent variable is what is being changed, which is the type of music played.

Answer:

1. B. Observation
2. B. An educated guess that can be tested
3. B. Type of fertilizer used
4. B. Plants given water only
5. C. What the scientist measures
6. A. A factor kept the same for all groups
7. A. If salt is added to water, then the freezing point will decrease.
8. C. Leaves are bright green
9. C. The liquid volume is 100 mL
10. B. Repeated and replicable
11. A. Type of music played