Question

1.3.2 test (cst): science and engineering
question 10 of 25
which statement describes a question that can be answered by a scientific investigation?

a. it asks whether an investigation is worth doing.

b. it asks why a scientist is curious about a phenomenon.

c. it is based on an observation of a natural phenomenon.

d. it is based on a philosophical argument.

Explanation:

To determine which statement describes a question answerable by scientific investigation, we analyze each option:

• Option A: Asking if an investigation is "worth doing" is a matter of value judgment, not scientific (science focuses on empirical facts, not worth).
• Option B: A scientist's curiosity reason is personal, not a question science answers (science studies phenomena, not motivations).
• Option C: Scientific questions start with observing natural phenomena (e.g., "Why does this plant grow here?") and can be tested empirically.
• Option D: Philosophical arguments are abstract/conceptual, not based on empirical observation, so not scientific.

Answer:

C. It is based on an observation of a natural phenomenon.