| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Scientific inquiry | the different ways scientists study the natural world |
| hypothesis | a possible answer to a scientific question or explanation for a set of observations |
| parameter | a factor that can be measured in a experiment |
| manipulated variable | the variable parameter changed on purpose |
| responding variable | the variable parameter that changes because of the manipulated variable was changed. |
| controlled experiment | a experiment where one parameter is changed at a time |
| qualitative data | recorded as notes in a journal |
| quantitative data | consists of measurements |
| communicating | sharing ideas and conclusions with others with speaking and writing |
| model | a picture, diagram, computer image, or other representation of an object or process |
| scientific theory | a well-tested explanation of a wide range of observations or experimental results |
| scientific law | a statement of what scientists think is going to happen under a particular set of conditions |
| data | facts, figures, and other evidence gathered during an experiment |
| science | study of the natural world |
| observing | using one or more senses to gather information |
| inferring | explaining your observations |
| predicting | making a forecast based on the past experiences or evidence |
| chemistry | the studies of the properties of matter and how it changes |
| physics | the study of matter, energy, motion, and forces and how they interact |
| graph | a picture of your data |
| horizontal axis | the line that runs left to right also known as x-axis |
| vertical axis | the line that runs up and down also known as y-axis |
| origin | the point where the two axes cross |
| coordinate | a pair of numbers used to determine the position of a point on a graph |
| data point | the point showing the intersection |
| line of best fit | a smooth line that reflects the general pattern of a graph |
| linear graph | a line graph where the data points are on a straight line |
| slope | the steepness of the graph line |
| nonlinear graph | a line graph where the data points do not fall on a straight line |
