Science Fundamentals Unit Vocabulary

Hypothesis

An “if…then” statement that is an explanation for a problem that can be tested by making observations or performing experiments.

Control Group

• A group that does not receive the independent variable in an experiment.

Experimental Group

• The group that is exposed to the independent variable in an experiment

Independent Variable

• A factor that is changed or manipulated in an experiment

Dependent Variable

• The variable that is measured in an experiment

X - Axis

• The line on a graph that runs horizontally (from left to right) through zero

Y - Axis

• The line on a graph that runs vertically (up to down) through zero.

Inference

• Reaching a conclusion by using logical reasoning

Volume

• The amount of space occupied by a solid, liquid, or gas.

Mass

• The amount of matter in an object.

Weight

• The force exerted on an object due to gravity.

Temperature

• A measure of the hotness or coldness contained in matter – also a measure of the kinetic energy of matter.

Meter

• The metric base unit of length

Liter

• The metric base unit of volume

Gram

• The metric base unit for mass

Celsius

• Temperature scale in which water freezes at 0 and boils at 100

Constants

• Variables in an experiment that are kept the same for all groups and trials

Quantitative

• Description of a measurement using numbers

Qualitative

• Description using words

Bias

• Prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, that can alter the results of an experiment