Question 1

Which of the following best describes the difference between accuracy and precision in scientific measurements?

Accepted Answer

Accuracy is how close measurements are to the true value, while precision is how close measurements are to each other.

Question 2

A student measures the mass of a sample five times and gets values very close to each other, but far from the actual mass. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

The measurements are precise but not accurate.

Question 3

Which of the following is the correct order of steps in the traditional scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Make observations → Pose questions → Formulate hypothesis → Do experiments → Draw conclusions

Question 4

Which of the following statements about hypotheses is correct?

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested and potentially disproved.

Question 5

Convert $$1.40\ \mathrm{kg} to $$centigrams ($$\mathrm{cg}).$$

Accepted Answer

$$1.40\ \mathrm{kg} = 140,000\ \mathrm{cg}$$

Question 6

A scientist wants to compare the favorite vegetables of boys and girls in a class. Which type of graph is most appropriate for this data?

Accepted Answer

Bar graph

Question 7

Which metric prefix represents $$10^{-6}$$?

Accepted Answer

Micro-

Question 8

If you have $$2345\ \mu\mathrm{L}$$, how many liters is this?

Accepted Answer

$$0.002345\ \mathrm{L}$$

Question 9

Which of the following is the independent variable in an experiment where a professor measures the effect of days spent studying on exam scores?

Accepted Answer

Days spent studying

Question 10

A market analyst records the number of people in a store at different times of day. What is the dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

Number of people

Question 11

Which of the following best describes a controlled experiment?

Accepted Answer

An experiment where only one variable is changed at a time, and all others are kept constant.

Question 12

Convert $$56.78\ \mathrm{mm} to $$nanometers ($$\mathrm{nm}).$$

Accepted Answer

$$56,780,000\ \mathrm{nm}$$

Question 13

Which type of graph is best for showing how a variable changes continuously over time?

Accepted Answer

Line graph

Question 14

A best fit line on a scatter plot is used to:

Accepted Answer

Show the general trend or relationship between two variables.

Question 15

Convert $$0.000345\ \mu\mathrm{g} to $$nanograms ($$\mathrm{ng}).$$

Accepted Answer

$$0.345\ \mathrm{ng}$$

Question 16

Which of the following is NOT a base SI unit?

Accepted Answer

Liter

Question 17

A pie chart is most useful for:

Accepted Answer

Showing proportions of a whole.

Question 18

Convert $$1.5\ \mathrm{L} to $$milliliters ($$\mathrm{mL}).$$

Accepted Answer

$$1,500\ \mathrm{mL}$$

Question 19

Which of the following is a key feature of the modern, circular model of the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

It emphasizes ongoing revision, collaboration, and peer review.

Question 20

If you need to convert $$750\ \mathrm{nm} to $$decameters ($$\mathrm{dam}$$), what is the correct answer?

Accepted Answer

$$0.0000000750\ \mathrm{dam}$$

Introduction to the Scientific Method, Metric System, and Data Graphing

Study Guide - Practice Questions