Practice of science：練習問題

What is typically the initial step in a scientific investigation?

When designing investigations, what is the primary purpose of suggesting operational procedures?

A research team wants to determine if a new type of biodegradable plastic decomposes faster in seawater than in freshwater. They prepare several identical plastic samples. Which experimental setup would best ensure a fair test?

In an experiment designed to investigate how the amount of sunlight affects the growth rate of a specific type of plant, which factor would be the manipulated variable?

A group of marine biologists observed a sudden decrease in the population of a specific fish species in a coral reef. They then started collecting data on water temperature, pollution levels, and predator populations in that area over several months to identify potential causes. What type of scientific investigation are they primarily conducting?

In the practice of science, why is it necessary to repeat measurements multiple times and calculate an average during an investigation?

According to the 'Practice of Science', what specifically constitutes evidence, and how is it used to support scientific inquiry?

Why is Communicating considered a critical science process skill, and what are two specific ways students are expected to present their scientific findings?

A student is using a measuring cylinder to measure exactly \( 50 \text{ mL} \) of water. To get an accurate reading, the student must account for the meniscus.
a) Define what a 'meniscus' is and identify which specific part of it should be aligned with the scale mark for water. (2 points)
b) Describe the correct position of the student's eyes relative to the liquid level to avoid a parallax error. (1 point)

Scientific investigations are often categorised into 'fair testing', 'classifying', and 'pattern seeking'.

a) Describe the primary objective and methodology of a 'pattern seeking' investigation. Give an example of a scientific question that would require this type of investigation. (3 points)

b) A researcher notices that in forests affected by industrial pollution, the diversity of insect species is significantly lower compared to pristine forests. She hypothesizes that pollution reduces insect diversity.
i) Which type of scientific investigation should the researcher use to study the correlation between pollution levels and insect species diversity across multiple forest sites? (1 point)
ii) Explain why this investigation type is necessary before conducting a 'fair test' experiment in a laboratory setting. (2 points)