Name ___________________________ Class ___________________ Date _____________
Chapter 1 Science Skills
Section 1.2 Using a Scientific Approach
(pages 7–11)
This section describes scientific methods and how they are used to understand
the world around you.
Reading Strategy (page 7)
Using Prior Knowledge Before you read, add to the web diagram
what you already know about scientific methods. After you read
the section, revise the diagram based on what you have learned.
For more information on this Reading Strategy, see the Reading
and Study Skills in the Skills and Reference Handbook at the
end of your textbook.
Scientific Methods (pages 7–9)
1. Identify the goal of any scientific method.
2. Name three types of variables in an experiment.
a. b. c.
3. Is the following sentence true or false? If the data from an
experiment do not support your hypothesis, you can revise the
hypothesis or propose a new one.
4. How does a scientific theory differ from a hypothesis?
Match the following vocabulary terms to the correct definition.
Definition Vocabulary Terms
5. Information that you obtain
through your senses
6. Awell-tested explanation
for a set of observations
7. Aproposed answer to a question
Physical Science Reading and Study Workbook
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Chapter 1 5
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All rights reserved.
Scientific
Methods
Observation
Forming a
hypothesis
Testing a
hypothesis
Drawing
conclusions
Developing
a theory
a. theory
b. hypothesis
c. observation
The goal of any scientific method is to solve a
problem or better understand an observed event.
Manipulated variable Responding variable Controlled variable
true
A hypothesis is an untested
explanation for an observation while a theory is a well-tested explanation for a set of observations.
c
a
b
Name ___________________________ Class ___________________ Date _____________
Chapter 1 Science Skills
6 Physical Science Reading and Study Workbook
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Chapter 1
© Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Pearson Prentice Hall.
All rights reserved.
8. Complete the model of a scientific method by filling in the
missing steps.
a. b.
c. d.
Scientific Laws (page 9)
9. Is the following sentence true or false? A scientific law attempts to
explain an observed pattern in nature.
10. All scientists may accept a given scientific law, but different
scientists may have different to explain it.
Scientific Models (page 10)
11. Why do scientists use scientific models?
12. Circle the letters that correctly state what scientists do if data show
that a model is wrong.
a. Change the model. b. Replace the model.
c. Ignore the data. d. Revise the data.
Working Safely in Science (page 11)
13. Circle the letters of safety precautions to follow whenever you
work in a science laboratory.
a. Study safety rules. b. Never ask questions.
c. Read all procedural steps. d. Understand the procedure.
14. Why should you wash your hands after every experiment?
Make observation.
Ask question.
Develop
hypothesis.
Test hypothesis
with an
experiment.
Hypothesis
is
supported.
Hypothesis
is not
supported.
a.
b.c.
d.
Analyze data and draw conclusions
Test hypothesis with further experiments
Revise hypothesis
Develop theory
false
scientific theories
Scientists use scientific models to make it easier
to understand things that might be too difficult to observe directly.
hands after experiments to remove chemicals that you may have touched.
You should wash your
