Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Quick Vocabulary
Lesson 1 Lesson 2
biology study of all living things; accuracy description of how close
life science a measurement is to an accepted or
true value
critical thinking comparing what
you already know with the description spoken or written
information you are given to summary of observations
decide whether you agree with it
digital of, pertaining to, or using
ethics rules of conduct or moral numbers (numerical digits)
principles
explanation interpretation of
hypothesis possible explanation observations
about an observation that can be
International System of Units (SI)
tested by scientific investigations
internationally accepted system for
inference logical explanation of an measurement
observation that is drawn from
precision description of how similar
prior knowledge or experience
or close measurements are to each
observation using one or more of other
your senses to gather information
significant digits number of digits
and take note of what occurs
in a measurement that are known
Copyright Glencoe/McGraw-Hill, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Scientific Explanations 1
Name Date Class
Quick Vocabulary
Lesson 3
constants factors in an experiment
that remain the same
2 Scientific Explanations
Name Date Class
Enrichment LESSON 3
Plant-Based Fuels
Surplus corn and other grains, such as Soy Diesel
wheat and barley, can be processed into Biodiesel is being developed as an
ethanol. A clear, colorless liquid, ethanol alternative to petroleum for heavy vehicles.
is used as fuel in internal-combustion This fuel is made from natural, renewable
engines such as those found in automobiles. sources, such as new or used vegetable oils.
Ethanol already is blended into most It is a cleaner-burning fuel and can operate
gasoline sold in the United States. This use in existing combustion-ignition engines.
of ethanol saves nearly 1 billion gallons of Soybean oil and methanol produce a
oil per year. product called methyl soyate, or soy diesel.
Soy diesel is the main type of biodiesel
Biomass Ethanol used in the United States. Alternative oils
Scientists are investigating advanced that are being considered are animal fat
ways, such as biomass feedstocks, to wastes and used frying oil, which are
produce ethanol. The term biomass refers to cheaper than soybean oil.
any organic matter that is renewable,
including wood, crops, plants, and animal Methanol
wastes. Biomass feedstocks include corn Methanol is another plant-based fuel. It
fiber, plant residue, and rice straw. The is made from wood. Like ethanol, methanol
feedstocks contain cellulose, which can be can be mixed with gasoline. Pure methanol,
converted into sugars that are fermented or neat methanol, is used as a racing fuel.
into ethanol. These biomass feedstocks are Methanol is a promising hydrogen source
1. Infer Why do you think some people would be reluctant to change from using gasoline
or diesel fuel in their automobiles to ethanol or methanol?
2. Analyze Do you think the United States should continue working toward using
renewable agricultural products for fuel energy? Why or why not?
50 Scientific Explanations
Name Date Class
Chapter Test A
Scientific Explanations
Multiple Choice
Directions: On the line before each statement, write the letter of the correct answer.
Matching
Directions: On the line before each definition, write the letter of the term that matches it correctly. Each term is
used only once.
62 Scientific Explanations
Name Date Class
Chapter Test B
Scientific Explanations
Multiple Choice
Directions: On the line before each question, write the letter of the correct answer.
64 Scientific Explanations
Name Date Class
Chapter Test C
Scientific Explanations
Multiple Choice
Directions: On the line before each question, write the letter of the correct answer.
3. Which statement correctly applies the definitions of the terms explanation and
description to tell about scientific theories and scientific laws?
A. Scientific laws and scientific theories are descriptions of events.
B. Scientific laws and scientific theories are explanations for events.
C. Scientific laws are explanations; scientific theories are descriptions.
D. Scientific laws are descriptions; scientific theories are explanations.
66 Scientific Explanations
The Big6 Skills
The Big6 is a process model of how people of all ages
solve an information problem.
1. Task Definition
1.1 Define the information problem
1.2 Identify information needed (to solve the information problem)
o What is my current task?
o What are some topics or questions I need to answer?
o What information will I need?
4. Use of Information
4.1 Engage (e.g., read, hear, view, touch)
4.2 Extract relevant information
o What information do I expect to find in this source?
o What information from the source is useful?
5. Synthesis
5.1 Organize from multiple sources
5.2 Present the information
o How will I organize my information?
o How should I present my information?
6. Evaluation
6.1 Judge the product (effectiveness)
6.2 Judge the process (efficiency)
o Did I do what was required?
o Did I complete each of the Big6 Stages efficiently?
The "Big6" is copyright (1987) Michael B. Eisenberg and Robert E. Berkowitz. For more information, visit: www.big6.com
Handout created by: Barbara J. Shoemaker, School Media Specialist, Mill Road Elementary, K-2
Red Hook Central School District, Red Hook, NY