1. Performance Benchmark N.12.A.3 Students know repeated experimentation allows for statistical analysis and unbiased conclusions. High School Science Proficiency Review

2. A student measures the length of a pendulum three times. The measurements were 1.42 meters, 1.43 meters, and 1.45 meters. The actual length of the pendulum was 1.89 meters. What can be said about these measurements? a. the measurements are accurate b. the measurements are precise c. the measurements are both accurate and precise d. the measurements are neither accurate nor precise

3. A student measures the length of a pendulum three times. The measurements were 1.42 meters, 1.43 meters, and 1.45 meters. The actual length of the pendulum was 1.89 meters. What can be said about these measurements? Accurate and Precise Precise but not accurate

4. A student measures the length of a pendulum three times. The measurements were 1.42 meters, 1.43 meters, and 1.45 meters. The actual length of the pendulum was 1.89 meters. What can be said about these measurements? The circled numbers above are precise but not accurate because they are close together (precise), but not close to the true value of 1.89 meters (not accurate).

5. A student measures the length of a pendulum three times. The measurements were 1.42 meters, 1.43 meters, and 1.45 meters. The actual length of the pendulum was 1.89 meters. What can be said about these measurements? a. the measurements are accurate b. the measurements are precise c. the measurements are both accurate and precise d. the measurements are neither accurate nor precise

6. What makes a scientific explanation different from a non-scientific explanation? a. scientific explanations are based on assumptions b. scientific explanations are predictable c. scientific explanations cannot be changed d. scientific explanations are testable

7. What makes a scientific explanation different from a non-scientific explanation? a. scientific explanations are based on assumptions b. scientific explanations are predictable c. scientific explanations cannot be changed d. scientific explanations are testable

8. The degree to which data matches the true or accepted value is a. accuracy b. correlation coefficient c. precision d. none of the above

9. The degree to which data matches the true or accepted value is a. accuracy b. correlation coefficient c. precision d. none of the above acc think bull’s eye – accuracy – accepted value

10. A student throws five darts at the bull’s eye (centermost circle) of a target and the following pattern results. What can be said about the grouping of darts? a. the grouping is accurate b. the grouping is precise c. the grouping is both accurate and precise d. the grouping is neither accurate nor precise

11. A student throws five darts at the bull’s eye (centermost circle) of a target and the following pattern results. What can be said about the grouping of darts? a. the grouping is accurate b. the grouping is precise c. the grouping is both accurate and precise d. the grouping is neither accurate nor precise Read through all the choices to make sure you have marked the best one.

12. a. the grouping is accurate b. the grouping is precise c. the grouping is both accurate and precise d. the grouping is neither accurate nor precise Accurate and Precise

13. Students conduct a laboratory investigation to determine the acceleration due to Earth’s gravity (g). They calculate g to be 8.0 m/s 2. The actual (true) acceleration due to Earth’s gravity is 9.8 m/s 2. What is the percent error for their experiment? a. 7.0% b. 15% c. 18% d. 23%

14. Students conduct a laboratory investigation to determine the acceleration due to Earth’s gravity (g). They calculate g to be 8.0 m/s 2. The actual (true) acceleration due to Earth’s gravity is 9.8 m/s 2. What is the percent error for their experiment? measured value – true value true value X 100 % Error = TRUE VALUE MEASURED VALUE 8.0 – 9.8 9.8 X 100 = -18.4%

15. Students conduct a laboratory investigation to determine the acceleration due to Earth’s gravity (g). They calculate g to be 8.0 m/s 2. The actual (true) acceleration due to Earth’s gravity is 9.8 m/s 2. What is the percent error for their experiment? a. 7.0% b. 15% c. 18% d. 23% The NEGATIVE SIGN shows that the experimental result was LOW, but percent error is often reported as an ABSOLUTE VALUE.

16. In August 2006, the International Astronomical Union removed Pluto’s status as a planet and named it a dwarf planet. What prompted the reclassification of Pluto? a. A new telescope introduced in 2006 allowed scientists to see a better view of Pluto. b. Scientists based their decision on known data from Pluto and other objects in the solar system. c. A manned mission to Pluto provided evidence to make it a dwarf planet. d. Scientists were biased to make the solar system have ten planets.

17. In August 2006, the International Astronomical Union removed Pluto’s status as a planet and named it a dwarf planet. What prompted the reclassification of Pluto? a. A new telescope introduced in 2006 allowed scientists to see a better view of Pluto. b. Scientists based their decision on known data from Pluto and other objects in the solar system. c. A manned mission to Pluto provided evidence to make it a dwarf planet. d. Scientists were biased to make the solar system have ten planets. Too specific Scientists try never to be biased. NO manned missions that far away.

18. Scientists publish the details of important experiments so that a. their work can be repeated. b. their experimental procedures can be reviewed. c. others can try to reproduce the results. d. all of the above Read through all the choices to make sure you have marked the best one.

19. Scientists have observed data that shows the average temperature of the Earth has risen over the past century. However, there is a debate among some scientists if the temperature rise is caused by human activity or natural climate change. What is the source of the global warming debate? a. Errors in the data collection process. b. Political bias among scientists and their position. c. Different interpretations of the same data. d. Failure of some scientists to publish their data. Many different scientists have collected data.

20. Scientists have observed data that shows the average temperature of the Earth has risen over the past century. However, there is a debate among some scientists if the temperature rise is caused by human activity or natural climate change. What is the source of the global warming debate? a. Errors in the data collection process. b. Political bias among scientists and their position. c. Different interpretations of the same data. d. Failure of some scientists to publish their data. Scientists try to remain free from bias.

21. Scientists have observed data that shows the average temperature of the Earth has risen over the past century. However, there is a debate among some scientists if the temperature rise is caused by human activity or natural climate change. What is the source of the global warming debate? a. Errors in the data collection process. b. Political bias among scientists and their position. c. Different interpretations of the same data. d. Failure of some scientists to publish their data. A lot of climate data are available

22. Scientists have observed data that shows the average temperature of the Earth has risen over the past century. However, there is a debate among some scientists if the temperature rise is caused by human activity or natural climate change. What is the source of the global warming debate? a. Errors in the data collection process. b. Political bias among scientists and their position. c. Different interpretations of the same data. d. Failure of some scientists to publish their data.

23. Pellagra is a disease that first appeared in the United States in the 1820s and was known as the disease of the four Ds: dermatitis, diarrhea, dementia, and death. There was a debate among scientists if pellagra was caused by poor diet or an infectious agent. Which of the following evidence supports the fact that pellagra is caused by a poor diet? a. Pellagra was common in the South, especially in mental hospitals, orphanages, and prisons. b. Orphans provided with fresh vegetables, meat, and milk recovered from Pellagra or never got it. c. Staff at institutions (such as hospitals, prisons, and orphanages) did not develop Pellagra. d. Both b. and c.

24. Which of the following evidence supports the fact that pellagra is caused by a poor diet? a. Pellagra was common in the South, especially in mental hospitals, orphanages, and prisons. b. Orphans provided with fresh vegetables, meat, and milk recovered from Pellagra or never got it. c. Staff at institutions (such as hospitals, prisons, and orphanages) did not develop Pellagra. d. Both b. and c. Can’t tell from choice A … could be diet or infection.

25. Which of the following evidence supports the fact that pellagra is caused by a poor diet? a. Pellagra was common in the South, especially in mental hospitals, orphanages, and prisons. b. Orphans provided with fresh vegetables, meat, and milk recovered from Pellagra or never got it. c. Staff at institutions (such as hospitals, prisons, and orphanages) did not develop Pellagra. d. Both b. and c. Choice B: only diet is changed Choice C: staff has better diet than patients