- A geologist suggested that an asteroid impact caused the extinction of the dinosaurs and predicted that iridium would be found at a particular sedimentary layer of rock. Searching for iridium is observational testing, not an experiment. Is this a valid method to obtain evidence to evaluate the geologist’s prediction?
 Describe the difference between a scientific law and a scientific theory. Give two examples of each and defend how you classify each of your examples.
- Suzy said, “The color of the fire hydrant appears red to my eyes.” Is this an objective statement?
- Stephen Colbert once said that he wanted “to let the free market decide what the atomic weight of carbon is.” Does his idea fit with the principles of scientific inquiry? Why or why not?
- Ned measures the dimensions of a nut using a micrometer and writes down a single measurement in his notebook. What should Ned do to reduce the potential for errors in his measurement before moving on to the next step of his experiment?
- Daniela wanted to improve the performance of her favorite race car. She designed and constructed a series of new cars, each with a different mass, engine, or aerodynamic shape. She then tested each car by driving it herself around a track to see which parameters improved the car’s speed. What should she use as the control for her investigation?
 Astronomers collect data by observing the sky with a telescope. Astronomers cannot do experiments that manipulate stars or galaxies. Do astronomers use the scientific method in their work? Can astronomers analyze scientific explanations in their work? Why?
- Psychologists conduct an experiment to determine the effect of weather on mood. They compare the weather with the responses of a few people whom they asked how they feel that day. Is this an objective scientific experiment?
- Research and write a short report on the role of at least three contemporary scientists conducting research on nuclear energy and power. Describe the impact of their work on society.
- Geologists study the history of the Earth by digging down vertically through progressively older layers of sedimentary rock. How does the scientific method apply to this kind of research?
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- Give two examples of how mathematics is important in physics.
- Describe the design method used in the engineering process.
- Research a career that uses physics. Write a short report on the career, and include specific examples of how it uses physics.
- A pizza delivery place claims that, to maintain freshness, they only start making your pizza after you order it. A pizza arrives six minutes after you order it. If it takes 8 minutes to cook a pizza, was the pizza made after your ordered it?
- A barber advertises his haircuts using the following statements from customers:
“The best haircut I’ve ever gotten.”
“The lowest price for a haircut anywhere in town.”
“The nicest barber this side of the Rocky Mountains.”
- Based on his advertisement, what kind of evidence do you infer he has to support his claims?
- Which of these claims about his services could conceivably be independently verified?
- What is different about how additive and subtractive technologies create colors? Which applies to a computer monitor?
- Explain how you can see ordinary, nonluminous objects in a classroom.
- When the light from a light bulb bounces off the wall, are the colors best represented using an RGB or a CMYK color scheme?
- Is black a color?
- What combination of CMYK pigments can you use to create the color red?
- Do advances in physics lead to developments in technology, or is it the other way around? Provide evidence to defend your position from things you have heard on TV or other media.
- How are unforeseen problems addressed in the engineering design process?
- List three kinds of technology you use everyday and list three physics concepts that go into each one.
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