Question 1

Which of the following best describes a hypothesis in the context of the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

A tentative explanation that can be tested by experimentation.

Question 2

In a controlled experiment investigating the effect of temperature on the solubility of salt in water, which variable is the independent variable?

Accepted Answer

The temperature of the water.

Question 3

Which step in the scientific method involves collecting data through qualitative or quantitative means?

Accepted Answer

Make observations.

Question 4

Gay-Lussac’s Law states that the pressure of a gas increases as the temperature increases, when the volume is kept constant. Which equation represents this law?

Accepted Answer

$$\frac{P_1$}{T_1$} = \frac{P_2$}{T_2$}$$

Question 5

A student observes that the boiling point of water is higher at sea level than at high altitude. What type of observation is this?

Accepted Answer

Qualitative observation.

Question 6

Which of the following statements is an example of a law in science?

Accepted Answer

The pressure of a gas mass increases as the temperature increases, when the volume is kept constant.

Question 7

After performing an experiment, a scientist finds that the results do not support the original hypothesis. What is the next step according to the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Accept or modify the hypothesis.

Question 8

Which of the following best describes a scientific theory?

Accepted Answer

A well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of evidence.

Question 9

A researcher measures the mass of soap and finds it to be 99.44% pure. What type of observation is this?

Accepted Answer

Quantitative observation.

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a step in the scientific method as described in the study materials?

Accepted Answer

Publish results in a scientific journal.

Question 11

A scientist proposes that increasing the concentration of reactants will increase the rate of a chemical reaction. This statement is best classified as:

Accepted Answer

A hypothesis.

Question 12

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the development of a scientific law?

Accepted Answer

After repeated experiments, a consistent mathematical relationship between pressure and temperature of a gas is established.

Question 13

In an experiment, the amount of fertilizer added to a plant is varied to study its effect on plant growth. What is the dependent variable?

Accepted Answer

Plant growth.

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of a quantitative observation?

Accepted Answer

The temperature increased from $$15.5^\circ C to$$ $$22.0^\circ C.$$

Question 15

A scientist tests whether increasing the temperature of a solution increases the rate at which a solid dissolves. Which is the best way to ensure the experiment is well-controlled?

Accepted Answer

Keep all variables constant except for temperature.

Question 16

Which statement about the relationship between a law and a theory is correct?

Accepted Answer

A law describes a consistent relationship, while a theory explains the underlying reasons.

Question 17

Which of the following is the correct sequence of steps in the scientific method?

Accepted Answer

Make observations → Formulate a hypothesis → Design and perform experiments → Accept or modify hypothesis → Development into a law/theory

Question 18

A student claims that the mass of a gas sample will decrease as the temperature increases, based on repeated experiments. What is this claim best classified as?

Accepted Answer

A law.

Question 19

Which of the following is an example of applying the scientific method to a real-world medical scenario?

Accepted Answer

A doctor observes that patients with a certain disease have high blood pressure, proposes a possible cause, tests it by monitoring patients under different conditions, and modifies the hypothesis based on results.

The Scientific Method in Chemistry: Steps, Applications, and Examples

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards