SCSA Physics Science Inquiry Skills

A well-tested and broadly accepted scientific explanation is known as a scientific theory, not a hypothesis. A hypothesis is an initial proposal made before extensive testing occurs.

The scientific method relies on empirical evidence and testability, not the authority or fame of the person making the claim.

Popular belief or plausibility does not define a hypothesis. A hypothesis must be specifically testable through scientific methods, regardless of how many people currently believe it.

While a careful investigation is important in science, it does not define precision, which specifically refers to the consistency of repeated measurements.

Having different investigators use the same methodology ensures standardization, but it does not guarantee that the resulting data will have low variance or high precision.

Being close to the scientifically accepted or true value is the definition of accuracy, not precision.

Validity refers to how well an experiment measures what it intends to measure, whereas uncertainty quantifies the precision and potential error margin of a specific measurement.

Experimental uncertainty is an inherent part of any measurement process due to equipment limitations, not a procedural mistake or blunder.

A mistake in recording data is a human error, whereas uncertainty represents the natural limits of precision in the measuring instrument or process.

The kinematic equation for an object falling from rest is $v^2 = 2gs$, meaning $v$ is proportional to $\sqrt{s}$. A graph of $v$ versus $s$ would result in a curve, not a straight line.

Based on the equation $v^2 = 2gs$, $v^2$ is directly proportional to $s$, not $\sqrt{s}$. Plotting $v^2$ versus $\sqrt{s}$ would result in a quadratic curve.

Since $v$ is proportional to $s^{1/2}$, $\sqrt{v}$ would be proportional to $s^{1/4}$. Plotting $\sqrt{v}$ versus $s$ would not produce a straight line.