Chemistry Module 1
1. What is science? What are the limits of science? (1.02) - correct answer-Science the
process of gaining new knowledge and is a body of knowledge. Science cannot be applied
to opinion and beliefs such as religion, art and philosophy.
2. What is pseudoscience? (1.02) - correct answer-A pseudoscience is a practice or belief
that claims to be science, but is not. It does not follow the scientific method and is not
testable by objective means.
3. List three pseudosciences and explain why they are not considered scientific. (1.02) -
correct answer-Astrology is the belief that the position of the stars can give us information
about a person. This cannot be proven reliable through testing with the scientific method.
Phrenology is where we read 'bumps' in a person's skull to determine personality traits. This
cannot be proven reliable through the scientific method. Superstition is another
pseudoscience. It is the belief that people have that certain things will bring them good or
bad luck. Superstitions cannot be proven reliable through scientific method.
4. Is the following statement scientific? Justify your answer. "Pink flowers are the prettiest."
(1.02) - correct answer-No, this statement is not scientific. It is not testable and cannot be
proven reliable by the scientific method.
5. List and briefly explain each step of the scientific method. (1.03) - correct answer-The six
steps are: purpose, research, hypothesis, experiment, analysis, conclusion.The purpose is
what you are trying to find out based upon your observations of the world. You always want
to research what other scientists have observed and discovered already. The hypothesis is
your prediction of what will happen in your experiment. The hypothesis relates your
independent and dependent variables. Once the hypothesis has been developed, the
experiment will need to be designed and carried out. In an experiment, you must identify the
independent, dependent variables and all the controlled variables. Once the experiment has
been conducted, you will need to analyze and compare the data collected. After you have
analyzed your results, you will need to re-visit your hypothesis and conclude whether or not
it was correct.
6. Latoya is conducting an experiment to see under which conditions a plant will grow the
best. She researches factors that contribute to plant growth on the internet and speaks with
her local florist. She then obtains three identical plants and places them in different amount
of sunlight. She ensures that all plants have the same soil and fertilizer. She then waters
them daily in the following manner: plant 1 receives one cup of water; plant 2 receives 2
cups of water and plant 3 receives 3 cups of water. She records the plant height each day for
one month. What is wrong with this experiment? (1.03) - correct answer-Latoya has two
independent variables; amount of light and amount of water. She has changed the amount of
light as well as the amount of water. In any investigation, you can only test one independent
variable. She should pick one of them to test and hold the other variable constant.
1. What is science? What are the limits of science? (1.02) - correct answer-Science the
process of gaining new knowledge and is a body of knowledge. Science cannot be applied
to opinion and beliefs such as religion, art and philosophy.
2. What is pseudoscience? (1.02) - correct answer-A pseudoscience is a practice or belief
that claims to be science, but is not. It does not follow the scientific method and is not
testable by objective means.
3. List three pseudosciences and explain why they are not considered scientific. (1.02) -
correct answer-Astrology is the belief that the position of the stars can give us information
about a person. This cannot be proven reliable through testing with the scientific method.
Phrenology is where we read 'bumps' in a person's skull to determine personality traits. This
cannot be proven reliable through the scientific method. Superstition is another
pseudoscience. It is the belief that people have that certain things will bring them good or
bad luck. Superstitions cannot be proven reliable through scientific method.
4. Is the following statement scientific? Justify your answer. "Pink flowers are the prettiest."
(1.02) - correct answer-No, this statement is not scientific. It is not testable and cannot be
proven reliable by the scientific method.
5. List and briefly explain each step of the scientific method. (1.03) - correct answer-The six
steps are: purpose, research, hypothesis, experiment, analysis, conclusion.The purpose is
what you are trying to find out based upon your observations of the world. You always want
to research what other scientists have observed and discovered already. The hypothesis is
your prediction of what will happen in your experiment. The hypothesis relates your
independent and dependent variables. Once the hypothesis has been developed, the
experiment will need to be designed and carried out. In an experiment, you must identify the
independent, dependent variables and all the controlled variables. Once the experiment has
been conducted, you will need to analyze and compare the data collected. After you have
analyzed your results, you will need to re-visit your hypothesis and conclude whether or not
it was correct.
6. Latoya is conducting an experiment to see under which conditions a plant will grow the
best. She researches factors that contribute to plant growth on the internet and speaks with
her local florist. She then obtains three identical plants and places them in different amount
of sunlight. She ensures that all plants have the same soil and fertilizer. She then waters
them daily in the following manner: plant 1 receives one cup of water; plant 2 receives 2
cups of water and plant 3 receives 3 cups of water. She records the plant height each day for
one month. What is wrong with this experiment? (1.03) - correct answer-Latoya has two
independent variables; amount of light and amount of water. She has changed the amount of
light as well as the amount of water. In any investigation, you can only test one independent
variable. She should pick one of them to test and hold the other variable constant.
