Practice Scenarios: The Scientific Method - Earth Science



Practice Scenarios: The Scientific Method

Directions:

• Read each of the scenarios below.

• For each scenario identify the parts of the scientific method.

Scenarios:

1. Ten sunflower seeds were planted in each of 5 pots found around the house that contained 500g of “Pete’s Potting Soil.” The pots were given the following amounts of distilled water each day for 40 days:

❖ Pot #1: 50mL

❖ Pot #2: 100mL

❖ Pot #3: 150mL

❖ Pot #4: 200mL

❖ Pot #5: 250mL

Because Pot #3 received the recommended amount of water, it was used as the control. The height of each plant was measured at the end of the experiment.

Identify the following:

A. Independent variable: _________________________________

B. Levels of the independent variable: _________________________________

C. Dependent variable: _________________________________

D. Number of repeated trials: _________________________________

E. Constants: _________________________________

F. Controls (if present): _________________________________

2. Susan observed that different types and amounts of fossils were present in a cliff behind her house. She wondered if changes in fossil types occurred from the top to the bottom of the cliff. She marked the cliff bank at 5 positions starting from the surface: 5m, 10m, 15m, 20m, 25m. She removed 1 bucket of soil from each of the 5 positions and determined the type and number of fossils in each sample.

Identify the following:

A. Independent variable: _________________________________

B. Levels of the independent variable: _________________________________

C. Dependent variable: _________________________________

D. Number of repeated trials: _________________________________

E. Constants: _________________________________

F. Controls (if present): _________________________________[pic]

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