Scientific Method and Basic Scientific Concepts Competitive Exams
100 questions · General Science
-
Question 1 of 100
The SI unit used to measure speed is:
ExplanationSpeed is distance travelled per unit time (m/s).
-
Question 2 of 100
A group in an experiment that receives no treatment, used for comparison, is the:
ExplanationThe control group provides a baseline to compare against the treated group.
-
Question 3 of 100
An error caused by viewing a scale at an angle instead of straight-on is called:
ExplanationParallax error occurs when the eye is not level with the measurement scale.
-
Question 4 of 100
The Law of Conservation of Energy states that energy can be transformed but:
ExplanationTotal energy in an isolated system remains constant over time.
-
Question 5 of 100
A well-tested explanation, broadly accepted and supported by much evidence, is a scientific:
ExplanationA scientific theory explains why something happens, backed by strong evidence.
-
Question 6 of 100
A combination of two or more substances that are not chemically bonded is a:
ExplanationMixtures can usually be separated by physical means.
-
Question 7 of 100
The SI (derived) unit used to measure density is:
ExplanationDensity combines the base units of mass and volume (kg/m^3).
-
Question 8 of 100
An error that consistently occurs in the same direction, often due to faulty instrument calibration, is called:
ExplanationSystematic errors can be corrected once identified, unlike random variation.
-
Question 9 of 100
An instrument that measures very small lengths, such as wire diameter, to about 0.01 mm is the:
ExplanationThe micrometer screw gauge is more precise than a vernier caliper.
-
Question 10 of 100
A change that alters only the physical form of a substance, not its chemical composition, is a:
ExplanationPhysical changes, like melting or cutting, do not form new substances.
-
Question 11 of 100
In a typical scientific graph, the independent variable is usually plotted on the:
ExplanationBy convention, the manipulated (independent) variable is on the horizontal axis.
-
Question 12 of 100
The change of state from liquid to gas is called:
ExplanationHeating a liquid enough causes it to turn into vapour/gas.
-
Question 13 of 100
Which of the following is an example of a chemical change?
ExplanationRusting forms iron oxide, a new substance, through a chemical reaction.
-
Question 14 of 100
The SI unit used to measure area is the:
ExplanationArea, a two-dimensional quantity, is measured in square metres (m^2).
-
Question 15 of 100
Physics, chemistry, astronomy and geology are generally classified as:
ExplanationThese branches study non-living matter, energy and the physical universe.
-
Question 16 of 100
A unit formed by combining two or more base units, such as m/s for speed, is called a:
ExplanationDerived units are built from combinations of the seven SI base units.
-
Question 17 of 100
The branch of science that studies stars, planets, and the universe is:
ExplanationAstronomy examines celestial objects and phenomena beyond Earth.
-
Question 18 of 100
The smallest unit of a compound that still has the compound's properties is a:
ExplanationA molecule is formed when two or more atoms bond together.
-
Question 19 of 100
The three common states of matter are:
ExplanationThese are the most familiar states encountered in everyday life.
-
Question 20 of 100
The First Law of Thermodynamics is essentially a restatement of the law of:
ExplanationIt states energy in a closed system is conserved, only changing form.
-
Question 21 of 100
A substance changing directly from solid to gas, without becoming liquid, undergoes:
ExplanationDry ice (solid CO2) is a common example of sublimation.
-
Question 22 of 100
A state of matter with a definite shape and definite volume is a:
ExplanationSolids hold a fixed shape and volume due to tightly packed particles.
-
Question 23 of 100
Facts and measurements gathered during observation or experiment are called:
ExplanationData is the raw information collected during scientific investigation.
-
Question 24 of 100
The energy possessed by an object due to its position or state is called:
ExplanationStored energy, like water behind a dam, is potential energy.
-
Question 25 of 100
The SI base unit used to measure the amount of a substance is the:
ExplanationThe mole relates a mass of a substance to its number of particles.
-
Question 26 of 100
A scientific fact is best described as information that is:
ExplanationFacts are the most basic, verified building blocks of scientific knowledge.
-
Question 27 of 100
A change that produces one or more new substances with different properties is a:
ExplanationChemical changes, like burning, form entirely new substances.
-
Question 28 of 100
Before publication, scientific research is typically evaluated by other experts through:
ExplanationPeer review helps check the quality and validity of research.
-
Question 29 of 100
The correct general order of the scientific method is:
ExplanationScience proceeds from observing, to hypothesising, testing, then concluding.
-
Question 30 of 100
Natural sciences are broadly divided into physical sciences and:
ExplanationPhysical sciences study non-living matter; life sciences study living things.
-
Question 31 of 100
Mass per unit volume of a substance is called its:
ExplanationDensity = mass / volume, often expressed in kg per cubic metre.
-
Question 32 of 100
Heat transfer through the movement of a fluid, such as air or water, is called:
ExplanationConvection currents carry heat as warmer, less dense fluid rises.
-
Question 33 of 100
If experimental results do not support a hypothesis, a scientist should:
ExplanationGood scientific practice means following the evidence, not forcing conclusions.
-
Question 34 of 100
A simplified representation used to explain or visualise a scientific idea is called a:
ExplanationScientific models, like diagrams of atoms, help explain complex ideas.
-
Question 35 of 100
The energy possessed by an object due to its motion is called:
ExplanationA moving object always carries kinetic energy, dependent on speed and mass.
-
Question 36 of 100
The smallest measurement an instrument can accurately and reliably read is called its:
ExplanationA smaller least count generally means a more precise instrument.
-
Question 37 of 100
A pure substance made of only one type of atom is called an:
ExplanationElements, like oxygen or gold, cannot be broken into simpler substances.
-
Question 38 of 100
The first step of the scientific method is usually:
ExplanationScience begins with observing a phenomenon or problem.
-
Question 39 of 100
Digits in a measurement that carry meaningful precision are called:
ExplanationSignificant figures indicate the reliable precision of a recorded value.
-
Question 40 of 100
The SI base unit used to measure luminous intensity (brightness of light) is the:
ExplanationCandela is the base SI unit for luminous intensity.
-
Question 41 of 100
An instrument used to measure the mass of an object is a:
ExplanationBalances compare an object's mass against known standard masses.
-
Question 42 of 100
A statement describing a consistent pattern in nature, without explaining why, is a scientific:
ExplanationLaws describe what happens; theories explain why it happens.
-
Question 43 of 100
A moving car speeding down a road is a common example of:
ExplanationMotion always involves kinetic energy, increasing with speed.
-
Question 44 of 100
An error caused by unpredictable variations or small human limitations while reading an instrument is called:
ExplanationRandom errors vary unpredictably and can be reduced by repeating measurements.
-
Question 45 of 100
The change of state from liquid to solid is called:
ExplanationRemoving heat from a liquid causes it to solidify.
-
Question 46 of 100
An inactive substance given to a control group for comparison with a real treatment is called a:
ExplanationPlacebos help researchers isolate the real effect of a treatment.
-
Question 47 of 100
The technique used to separate an insoluble solid from a liquid using fine pores is:
ExplanationFilter paper traps solid particles while liquid passes through.
-
Question 48 of 100
A pure substance formed when two or more elements chemically combine is a:
ExplanationCompounds, such as water (H2O), have fixed proportions of elements.
-
Question 49 of 100
The Law of Conservation of Mass, which states mass is neither created nor destroyed in a reaction, was proposed by:
ExplanationLavoisier's work laid foundations for modern chemistry.
-
Question 50 of 100
A statement about what is expected to happen in the future, based on a hypothesis, is a:
ExplanationPredictions are testable expectations derived from a hypothesis.
-
Question 51 of 100
Heat transfer through electromagnetic waves, without needing a medium, is called:
ExplanationRadiation is how the Sun's heat reaches Earth through space.
-
Question 52 of 100
The amount of space occupied by an object is its:
ExplanationVolume describes how much three-dimensional space a substance fills.
-
Question 53 of 100
The capacity or ability to do work is defined in science as:
ExplanationEnergy allows objects to perform work or cause change.
-
Question 54 of 100
A state of matter with a definite volume but no definite shape is a:
ExplanationLiquids take the shape of their container but keep a fixed volume.
-
Question 55 of 100
A conclusion in the scientific method is based mainly on the:
ExplanationConclusions must be supported by the actual experimental results.
-
Question 56 of 100
The change of state from solid to liquid is called:
ExplanationMelting occurs when a solid absorbs heat and becomes liquid.
-
Question 57 of 100
An instrument that measures small lengths precisely to about 0.1 mm is the:
ExplanationVernier calipers give finer precision than an ordinary ruler.
-
Question 58 of 100
A container with marked volume levels, used to measure liquid volume, is a:
ExplanationGraduated cylinders give a more precise liquid volume reading than beakers.
-
Question 59 of 100
A hypothesis that can potentially be proven false through experiment is described as:
ExplanationFalsifiability, a concept linked to Karl Popper, is key to testable science.
-
Question 60 of 100
The Law of Conservation of Mass states that, in a chemical reaction, mass is:
ExplanationTotal mass of reactants equals total mass of products in a closed system.
-
Question 61 of 100
The ionised gas state, often called the fourth state of matter and found in stars, is:
ExplanationPlasma consists of charged particles and exists at very high temperatures.
-
Question 62 of 100
A mixture with the same uniform composition throughout is called:
ExplanationSalt fully dissolved in water is a common homogeneous mixture example.
-
Question 63 of 100
In an experiment, the variable that the experimenter deliberately changes is the:
ExplanationThe independent variable is manipulated to observe its effect.
-
Question 64 of 100
When other scientists repeat an experiment and obtain the same result, this demonstrates:
ExplanationReproducible results strengthen confidence in a scientific finding.
-
Question 65 of 100
The amount of matter contained in an object is its:
ExplanationMass is a measure of the quantity of matter in a body.
-
Question 66 of 100
If a vernier caliper does not read zero when fully closed, this is called:
ExplanationZero error must be noted and corrected in all subsequent readings.
-
Question 67 of 100
The branch of science that studies the Earth's physical structure and materials is:
ExplanationGeology studies rocks, minerals, and the structure of the Earth.
-
Question 68 of 100
After forming a hypothesis, a scientist typically conducts an:
ExplanationExperiments are designed to test whether a hypothesis is supported.
-
Question 69 of 100
The SI unit used to measure volume is the:
ExplanationVolume, a three-dimensional quantity, is measured in cubic metres (m^3).
-
Question 70 of 100
A mixture whose composition is not uniform, with visibly distinct components, is called:
ExplanationSand mixed with iron filings is a classic heterogeneous mixture example.
-
Question 71 of 100
Heat transfer through direct contact between particles is called:
ExplanationConduction occurs when heat passes through touching materials, like a metal spoon.
-
Question 72 of 100
The key difference between science and technology is that science seeks understanding, while technology mainly:
ExplanationTechnology uses scientific knowledge to create tools and solutions.
-
Question 73 of 100
Biology, zoology and botany are generally classified as:
ExplanationLife sciences focus on living organisms and their processes.
-
Question 74 of 100
Water stored behind a dam is a common example of:
ExplanationIts stored height gives it potential energy, released as it falls.
-
Question 75 of 100
Observations expressed using numbers and measurements are called:
ExplanationQuantitative data involves measurable, numerical values.
-
Question 76 of 100
A substance changing directly from gas to solid, without becoming liquid, undergoes:
ExplanationDeposition is the reverse process of sublimation, e.g. frost formation.
-
Question 77 of 100
A tentative, testable explanation for an observation is called a:
ExplanationA hypothesis is a proposed explanation that can be tested by experiment.
-
Question 78 of 100
A state of matter with neither a definite shape nor a definite volume is a:
ExplanationGas particles spread out to fill any container completely.
-
Question 79 of 100
The branch of science that studies weather and atmospheric conditions is:
ExplanationMeteorologists study the atmosphere to understand and forecast weather.
-
Question 80 of 100
In physics, work is said to be done on an object when a force causes:
ExplanationIf there is no movement in the force's direction, no work is done.
-
Question 81 of 100
Expressing a number as a value multiplied by a power of ten is called:
ExplanationScientific notation simplifies writing very large or very small numbers.
-
Question 82 of 100
In a typical scientific graph, the dependent variable is usually plotted on the:
ExplanationThe measured (dependent) variable is plotted on the vertical axis.
-
Question 83 of 100
The technique used to separate a mixture of liquids based on differing boiling points is:
ExplanationDistillation heats and condenses components separately by boiling point.
-
Question 84 of 100
A line graph is especially useful in science for showing:
ExplanationLine graphs reveal how a dependent variable changes, e.g. over time.
-
Question 85 of 100
How close a measured value is to the true or accepted value is called its:
ExplanationAccuracy reflects correctness relative to a known true value.
-
Question 86 of 100
In a double-blind experiment, neither the subjects nor the researchers know who received the treatment, mainly to:
ExplanationBlinding prevents expectations from influencing results or their interpretation.
-
Question 87 of 100
The branch of science that studies living organisms and their interactions with their environment is:
ExplanationEcology examines relationships between organisms and their surroundings.
-
Question 88 of 100
Observations described in words, such as colour or smell, are called:
ExplanationQualitative data is descriptive rather than numerical.
-
Question 89 of 100
Anything that has mass and occupies space is called:
ExplanationMatter is the basic physical substance that makes up the universe.
-
Question 90 of 100
An instrument commonly used to measure heat changes during a chemical reaction is a:
ExplanationCalorimeters measure heat absorbed or released in physical/chemical processes.
-
Question 91 of 100
The key difference between a scientific law and a theory is that a law:
ExplanationTheories explain mechanisms; laws just describe observed patterns.
-
Question 92 of 100
The number 5,000,000 expressed correctly in scientific notation is:
ExplanationMoving the decimal point six places gives the correct power of ten.
-
Question 93 of 100
The number of fundamental (base) units in the SI system is:
ExplanationThey are metre, kilogram, second, ampere, kelvin, mole, and candela.
-
Question 94 of 100
The change of state from gas to liquid is called:
ExplanationCooling a gas causes it to turn back into a liquid.
-
Question 95 of 100
A logical conclusion drawn from observations, rather than observed directly, is called an:
ExplanationInference interprets what observations might mean.
-
Question 96 of 100
The variable that is measured or observed as a result in an experiment is the:
ExplanationThe dependent variable changes in response to the independent variable.
-
Question 97 of 100
The sum of an object's kinetic energy and potential energy is called its:
ExplanationMechanical energy is the total of motion and stored position energy.
-
Question 98 of 100
Which of the following is an example of a physical change?
ExplanationMelting changes the state of water without altering its chemical identity.
-
Question 99 of 100
How close repeated measurements are to one another, regardless of the true value, is called:
ExplanationPrecision reflects consistency or repeatability of measurements.
-
Question 100 of 100
A variable that is deliberately kept constant during an experiment is called a:
ExplanationKeeping other variables constant ensures a fair test.
0 / 100 answered · 0 skipped
You can practise as a guest, but sign in to save your score and track your progress.