"Exploration: Entering the World of Secondary Science" — Practice

Question 1

What is a hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

A testable, tentative explanation proposed to answer a scientific question.

✦ Answer: a testable proposed explanation.

Question 2

State the SI units of length, mass and time.

Accepted Answer

Metre (m), kilogram (kg), second (s).

✦ Answer: metre, kilogram, second.

Question 3

Give one example of an observation and one of an inference.

Accepted Answer

Observation: the liquid turned blue. Inference: a chemical reaction took place.

✦ Answer: observation = liquid turned blue; inference = a reaction occurred.

Question 4

List the main steps of the scientific method in order.

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Observation, question, hypothesis.

Step 2 — Experiment (fair test), data analysis, conclusion, and communicate/verify.

✦ Answer: observe → question → hypothesis → experiment → data → conclusion → communicate.

Question 5

What makes an experiment a 'fair test'?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Only one variable is changed at a time; all other conditions are kept constant.

Step 2 — A control is used for comparison, and the test can be repeated.

✦ Answer: change one variable, keep the rest constant, use a control.

Question 6

Name the three main branches of science and what each studies.

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Physics: matter, energy, motion and forces.

Step 2 — Chemistry: substances and their reactions; Biology: living organisms.

✦ Answer: physics (matter/energy), chemistry (substances), biology (life).

Question 7

You think plants grow taller with more sunlight. Design a fair test.

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Take identical plants in the same soil, pots, water and temperature.

Step 2 — Change only the sunlight: give different groups different amounts (the variable); keep everything else constant.

Step 3 — Measure heights over time, compare with a control, and repeat for reliability.

✦ Answer: vary only sunlight across identical plants, keep other factors constant, measure and repeat.

Question 8

Why must scientific results be reproducible and communicated?

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Others must be able to repeat an experiment to verify the results.

Step 2 — Reproducibility guards against error, chance or dishonesty.

Step 3 — Communicating results lets the wider community check and build on them.

✦ Answer: so results can be verified by others, ensuring reliability.

Question 9

State two rules for working safely and honestly in science.

Accepted Answer

Step 1 — Handle chemicals, glassware and flames carefully with proper protection.

Step 2 — Record data honestly — never fake or alter results to fit a hypothesis.

✦ Answer: follow lab-safety rules and record data honestly.

Practice — "Exploration: Entering the World of Secondary Science"

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