InCopy Notes1. This is a list

LessonLesson ReviewVocabularyCircle the term that best completes each of the following sentences.1 A scientific law / theory is an explanation for

how something occurs. It is supported by a great deal of evidence.

2 Scientists look for empirical evidence / laws either in the field or in the laboratory.

3 A basic principle that applies everywhere and in all situations is best described as a scientificlaw / theory.

Key Concepts4 List Into what three areas are the natural

sciences commonly divided?

5 Distinguish How is the use of the word theory in science different from its more common use?

6 Differentiate How would you distinguish a scientific theory from a scientific law?

7 Identify Name two methods scientists use to obtain empirical evidence.

8 Apply What is a difference between research in the field and in the laboratory?

Critical ThinkingUse this picture to answer the following question.

9 Interpret As the flames heat the gases in the balloon, the volume of the gases increases. At constant pressure, the volume of all gases increases with increasing temperature. Is this statement a scientific theory or law? Explain.

10 Defend Someone tells you that scientific knowledge cannot be changed or modified. How would you answer this statement?

11 Conclude Each year, the American Chemical Society holds a national meeting and many regional meetings for chemists. Reports of these meetings are then circulated all over the world. Why do you think this has become standard practice?

Lesson Review Answers1. theory

2. empirical evidence

3. law

4. Biology; geology; physical science

5. Theories in science are more than “hunches.” They are supported by a large amount of evidence.

6. Theories explain for what reasons things happen. Laws basically just describe what we always see hap-pening.

7. Observation and experimentation

8. In the laboratory, scientists do experiments and control conditions.

9. Law. It is a scientific law because the statement describes what is hap-pening, not for what reasons it is happening.

10. I would say that scientific knowledge is often changed and modified as new evidence is found or new expla-nations are put forth for old evi-dence.

11. They hold these meetings and pub-lish the discussion so scientists can debate scientific knowledge. Scien-tists know debate is important for scientific knowledge to advance.

15Lesson 1 Scientific Knowledge

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33Lesson 1 Scientific Knowledge