Unit LEQ: What is Science and how does it help scientists investigate the Universe?
A Section 1: What is Science?
Vocabulary:
1.Hypothesis
2.Inference
3.Observation
4.Theory
5.Law
6.Independent variable
7.Dependent variable
8.Quantitative observations
9.Qualitative observations
Concepts:
10. What are the steps of the Scientific method in order?
11. Once you’ve reached your conclusion and you’ve accepted your hypothesis, what needs to
happen to have it accepted as a theory?
12. Explain the difference between a Theory and a Law.
13. Which one is more likely to change in the future, Theory or Law? Explain why.
14. In the hypothesis “If we increase the amount of salt in our salt solution by 10g, then the
size of the crystals formed will increase” identify the Independent and Dependent variables.
IV:
DV:
15. In the hypothesis above, which variable is QUANTIFIED?
16. The scientist made some observations of her crystals formed. She stated that her largest
crystal was 10mm in diameter and that the water was cloudy. Which observation is
QUALITATIVE?
B Section 2: What is the chemical composition of Stars?
Vocabulary
1.Atom
2.Element
3.Proton
4.Neutron
5.Electron
6.Atomic number
7.Mass number
8.Isotope
9.Nuclear Fusion
Concepts
10. Draw a picture showing the parts of an atom. Mark the charges of each subatomic particle.
11. Complete the chart below.
Element
Atomic
Number
Mass Number
(Atomic Weight)
Sodium
11
23
Chlorine
17
Neutrons
11
6
Carbon
6
14
Hydrogen
1
1
Hydrogen
(deuterium)
2
1
Electrons
18
Carbon
Hydrogen
(tritium)
Protons
6
1
3
12. Using the chart above, what makes Carbon (mass number 14) an isotope of Carbon (mass
number 12)? Explain.
13. What two elements make up the majority of the composition of a star?
C Section 3: What evidence exists regarding the formation of the universe?
Vocabulary:
1.Electromagnetic Spectrum
2.Doppler Shift
3.Spectroscope
4.Red Shift
5.Background Radiation
6.Hubble's Law
7.Big Bang Theory
8.Light Year
Concepts:
9.Use the diagram of the electromagnetic spectrum to answer
to following questions:
a. What wavelength range does human eye see
between?
b. Which part of the spectrum has longest wavelength?
10. The electromagnetic spectrum is radiation, what is radiation?
11. Describe Earth’s motions & what effect it has on Earth.
12. How do astronomers determine the elements present in a star?
13. How do astronomers know the universe is expanding?
14. State Hubble’s Law
15. More distant galaxies have greater red shifts. What does this indicate about the universe?
16. How old do astronomers believe the universe to be?
D Section 4: What evidence exists regarding the formation of the Solar System and Earth?
Vocabulary
1.
Solar Nebular Theory
2. Nebula
3. Supernova
4. Pulsar
5. Main-Sequence
6. Gravity
7. Red Giant
8. Super Giant
9. White Dwarf
10. Black Hole
11. Geocentric
12. Heliocentric
Concept
13. Compare and Contrast how a HIGH Mass, LOW Mass, and a AVERAGE Mass (Sun-like) star
evolves through its life cycle.
14. Label the H-R diagram
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Absolute magnitude
Temperature
Supergiants
Main Sequence Stars
Red Giants
White Dwarfs
Red Dwarfs
Blue Giants
Sun
Place a where a very bright, but cool
star would be
Place a  at the next stage our sun will
evolve to
Place a  where a star is about Earth size, yet very hot
Place a + where a star is fusing Hydrogen into Helium