Name Date Class

Quick Vocabulary
Lesson 1
biology study of all living things;
life science
critical thinking comparing what
you already know with the
information you are given to
decide whether you agree with it
ethics rules of conduct or moral
principles
hypothesis possible explanation
about an observation that can be
tested by scientific investigations
inference logical explanation of an
observation that is drawn from
prior knowledge or experience
observation using one or more of
your senses to gather information
and take note of what occurs
Copyright Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Lesson 2
accuracy description of how close
a measurement is to an accepted or
true value
description spoken or written
summary of observations
digital of, pertaining to, or using
numbers (numerical digits)
explanation interpretation of
observations
International System of Units (SI)
internationally accepted system for
measurement
precision description of how similar
or close measurements are to each
other
significant digits number of digits
in a measurement that are known

prediction statement about what with a certain degree of reliability

will happen next in a sequence of
events

science the investigation and

exploration of natural events and
of the new information that results
from those investigations

scientific law describes a pattern or

an event in nature that is always
true

scientific theory explanation of

observations or events based on
knowledge gained from many
observations and investigations

technology practical use of scientific

knowledge, especially for industrial
or commercial use

Scientific Explanations 1
Name Date Class

Quick Vocabulary
Lesson 3
constants factors in an experiment
that remain the same

dependent variable factor that is

measured or observed during an
experiment

independent variable factor being

tested in an experiment that is
changed by the investigator to
observe how it affects a dependent
variable

variable any factor in an experiment

that can have more than one value

Copyright Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

2 Scientific Explanations
Name
Enrichment
Plant-Based Fuels
Surplus corn and other grains, such as
wheat and barley, can be processed into
ethanol. A clear, colorless liquid, ethanol
is used as fuel in internal-combustion
engines such as those found in automobiles.
Ethanol already is blended into most
gasoline sold in the United States. This use
of ethanol saves nearly 1 billion gallons of
oil per year.
Biomass Ethanol
Scientists are investigating advanced
ways, such as biomass feedstocks, to
produce ethanol. The term biomass refers to
any organic matter that is renewable,
including wood, crops, plants, and animal
wastes. Biomass feedstocks include corn
fiber, plant residue, and rice straw. The
feedstocks contain cellulose, which can be
converted into sugars that are fermented
into ethanol. These biomass feedstocks are
considered low- or no-cost waste material.
Using inexpensive resources reduces the
cost of producing ethanol. Also, using these
waste materials has environmental benefits;
they otherwise would be burned or put
into a landfill. As an added bonus, waste
materials of the ethanol conversion process
are high in protein and other nutrients,
making them an excellent feed ingredient
for livestock.
Applying Critical-Thinking Skills
Directions: Answer each question.
1. Infer Why do you think some people would be reluctant to change from using gasoline
or diesel fuel in their automobiles to ethanol or methanol?
2. Analyze Do you think the United States should continue working toward using
renewable agricultural products for fuel energy? Why or why not?
50
Date Class
LESSON 3
Soy Diesel
Biodiesel is being developed as an
alternative to petroleum for heavy vehicles.
This fuel is made from natural, renewable
sources, such as new or used vegetable oils.
It is a cleaner-burning fuel and can operate
in existing combustion-ignition engines.
Soybean oil and methanol produce a
product called methyl soyate, or soy diesel.
Soy diesel is the main type of biodiesel
used in the United States. Alternative oils
that are being considered are animal fat
wastes and used frying oil, which are
cheaper than soybean oil.
Methanol
Methanol is another plant-based fuel. It
is made from wood. Like ethanol, methanol
can be mixed with gasoline. Pure methanol,
or neat methanol, is used as a racing fuel.
Methanol is a promising hydrogen source
Copyright Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
for fuel-cell vehicles. Hydrogen gas also is
being tested for used in combustion engines.
Because it is a gas instead of liquid, it is
easier to store and transport.
Ethanol and methanol are renewable
resources, which means they can be
replaced by natural processes in less than
100 years. These clean-burning fuels are
promising fuel alternatives for the future.
Scientific Explanations
Name Date Class

Chapter Test A

Scientific Explanations
Multiple Choice
Directions: On the line before each statement, write the letter of the correct answer.

1. Scientific inquiry often results in the development of , such as

televisions and MP3 players.
A. new materials
B. new technologies
C. possible explanations

2. Scalpels and scissors are examples of

A. dissecting tools.
B. measuring tools.
C. magnifying tools.

3. A possible explanation that can be tested by scientific investigation is a

A. hypothesis.
B. scientific law.
C. scientific theory.

Matching
Directions: On the line before each definition, write the letter of the term that matches it correctly. Each term is
used only once.

Copyright Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

4. the factor measured or observed in a controlled A. precision
experiment
B. dependent variable
5. a description of how close a measurement is to an C. accuracy
accepted value
D. independent variable
6. numbers in a measurement that are known with a
E. significant digits
certain degree of reliability

7. the factor in an investigation that is changed by

the investigator

8. a description of how similar measurements are to

one another

62 Scientific Explanations
Name Date Class

Chapter Test B

Scientific Explanations
Multiple Choice
Directions: On the line before each question, write the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which method is NOT used to prevent bias during scientific inquiry?

A. using random sampling
B. repeating investigations
C. conducting blind studies
D. testing several hypotheses

2. Which pair below are dissecting tools?

A. slide and scalpel
B. pipette and slide
C. scalpel and scissors
D. magnifying lens and pipette

3. Which statement correctly describes a scientific law?

A. It explains why something happens.
B. It describes a pattern or event in nature that is always true.
C. It assumed to be the best, current explanation for a set of observations.
D. It is a possible explanation for an observation that can be tested by an
investigation.

Copyright Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Matching
Directions: On the line before each definition, write the letter of the term that matches it correctly. Not all terms
are used.

4. the factor measured or observed in a controlled A. precision

experiment
B. predictions
5. a description of how close a measurement is to an C. dependent variable
accepted value
D. accuracy
6. numbers in a measurement that are known with a E. observation
certain degree of reliability
F. independent variable
7. the factor in an investigation that is changed by
the investigator
G. significant digits

8. a description of how similar measurements are to

one another

64 Scientific Explanations
Name Date Class

Chapter Test C

Scientific Explanations
Multiple Choice
Directions: On the line before each question, write the letter of the correct answer.

1. Which two tools serve a similar purpose?

A. scissors and slide
B. scalpel and pipette
C. microscope and pipette
D. magnifying lens and microscope

2. In an investigation to determine which of three brands of cereal tastes best,

which method would NOT reduce bias?
A. repeating the investigation many times
B. asking a random sample of people to try the cereal
C. removing the labels from the cereal before asking people to taste it
D. telling people which cereal is your favorite before they try the samples

3. Which statement correctly applies the definitions of the terms explanation and
description to tell about scientific theories and scientific laws?
A. Scientific laws and scientific theories are descriptions of events.
B. Scientific laws and scientific theories are explanations for events.
C. Scientific laws are explanations; scientific theories are descriptions.
D. Scientific laws are descriptions; scientific theories are explanations.

Copyright Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

Completion
Directions: On each line, write the term that correctly completes each sentence.

4. In a controlled experiment, the factor that is measured or observed is

the .
5. is a description of how close a measurement is to an
accepted value.
6. Each number in a measurement that is known with a certain degree of reliability is
a(n) .
7. The factor in a controlled investigation that is changed by the investigator is
the .
8. is a description of how similar measurements are to one
another.

66 Scientific Explanations
The Big6 Skills
The Big6 is a process model of how people of all ages
solve an information problem.
1. Task Definition
1.1 Define the information problem
1.2 Identify information needed (to solve the information problem)
o What is my current task?
o What are some topics or questions I need to answer?
o What information will I need?

2. Information Seeking Strategies

2.1 Determine all possible sources (brainstorm)
2.2 Select the best sources
o What are all the possible sources to check?
o What are the best sources of information for this task?

3. Location and Access

3.1 Locate sources (intellectually and physically)
3.2 Find information within sources
o Where can I find these sources?
o Where can I find the information in the source?

4. Use of Information
4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch)
4.2 Extract relevant information
o What information do I expect to find in this source?
o What information from the source is useful?

5. Synthesis
5.1 Organize from multiple sources
5.2 Present the information
o How will I organize my information?
o How should I present my information?

6. Evaluation
6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)
6.2 Judge the process (efficiency)
o Did I do what was required?
o Did I complete each of the Big6 Stages efficiently?

The "Big6" is copyright (1987) Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz. For more information, visit: www.big6.com
Handout created by: Barbara J. Shoemaker, School Media Specialist, Mill Road Elementary, K-2
Red Hook Central School District, Red Hook, NY