©THEBRIGHT EXAM STUDY SOLUTIONS 8/21/2024 1:28 PM
General Science PRAXIS 5435 Exam
Questions With Correct Answers
Identifying problems based on observations - answer✔✔Causal question—what am I seeing,
what hypothesis might I test to learn more information about what I am seeing?
Forming and testing hypotheses - answer✔✔Hypotheses make a prediction about what will
happen upon experimentation, but will not make inferences as to why something is happening.
I.e. As amount of physical exertion increases, heart rate will increase.
Development of theories, models and laws - answer✔✔A theory is a thoroughly vetted
explanation for phenomena. It is not a name taken lightly, it is almost fact; no evidence has
arisen to disprove the theory. A model is a type of theory that attempts to explain how something
works. I.e. heliocentric model. A law is a theory that has been proven to be fact, such as the laws
of motion. It has been affirmed that no evidence will ever be brought forward to disprove a law.
Hypotheses become theories as they are tested and supported over time. Theories become laws
when it is clear no evidence will come forward to disprove them.
Experimental design, including independent and dependent variables, controls, and sources of
error - answer✔✔The independent variable is the one and only thing about an experimental setup
that I am changing, in order to measure a dependent variable. I.e. I change the amount of
exercise, and heart rate changes as a result. Controls are what stays the same in my experiment.
I.e. how quickly I do jumping jacks, how many jumping jacks I do, that the same person is doing
the jumping jacks. Sources of error include anything that may be changing data that is
uncontrolled. I.e. food calorimetry lab, not all heat is being captured efficiently by the water.
Process skills including observing, comparing, inferring, categorizing, generalizing, and
concluding - answer✔✔Observing; making observations and asking causal questions.
Comparing; evaluate two phenomena in light of each other
Inferring; using evidence to offer an explanation of why something is happening
Categorizing: using observations to organize information
Generalizing: knowing what can and cannot be included in a generalization
Concluding: drawing conclusions based on experimental evidence.
,©THEBRIGHT EXAM STUDY SOLUTIONS 8/21/2024 1:28 PM
Nature of scientific knowledge: subject to change - answer✔✔As new evidence is gathered,
previous conclusions may change to fit the evidence. We can't know things until we make
hypotheses, and those hypotheses may be disproven.
Nature of scientific knowledge: consistent with evidence - answer✔✔We cannot call something
a scientific finding unless it is based on experimental evidence; anecdotal evidence is
insufficient.
Nature of scientific knowledge: based on reproducible evidence - answer✔✔Evidence has to be
reproducible in an experimental setting. A one-time phenomenon is not enough to come to
scientific conclusions. I.e. "I drank a soda and did well on my exam" does not make drinking
soda a tried and true way to do well on an exam; it needs to be experimentally tested.
Nature of scientific knowledge: includes unifying concepts and processes (e.g., systems, models,
constancy and change, equilibrium, form and function) - answer✔✔Consistent with previous
knowledge. Fits with other systems and models. Is able to be disproven and/or modified.
Common units of measurement (metric and English) including unit conversion and prefixes such
as milli and kilo - answer✔✔Kilogram (kg) -- .5 kg in 1 pound
Second (s)
Kelvin (K)
Meter (m) - 0.3 m = 1 ft
Liter (L) - 0.9 L in 1 quart
Unit Prefixes from largest to smallest:
Giga
Mega
Kilo
Deci
Centi
Milli
Micro
Nano
Pico
Femto
, ©THEBRIGHT EXAM STUDY SOLUTIONS 8/21/2024 1:28 PM
Organization and presentation of data - answer✔✔Bar graph to compare numbers in different
groups.
Line graph to look at data over time.
Pie chart to compare parts of a whole.
Histogram to compare continuous numerical groups.
Dot plot a modification of bar graphs.
Labels on axes.
Basic data and error analysis including determining mean, accuracy, precision, and sources of
error - answer✔✔Mean: total divided by number of groups/individuals. Accuracy: correct
results. Precision: same results repeatedly. Sources of error: Why does my data not look how it
should?
Trends in data - answer✔✔Skewed? Right or left? Continuous growth or shrinking?
Relationships between variables - answer✔✔Correlation vs. causation. We often cannot
conclude causation.
Predictions based on data - answer✔✔What will happen in the future? What could cause a
change in the data?
Drawing valid conclusions based on data - answer✔✔Drawing correlations between variables
while accounting for any error or confounding factors.
Appropriate and safe use of materials (e.g., chemicals, lab specimens) - answer✔✔Always read
safety labels, and have access to the SES sheet.
If chemical is labeled as "harmful when inhaled" it must only be used in a fume hood. Gloves
must be worn for any chemical that is an irritant or corrosive.
Glass, heat, or chemicals require the use of safety goggles.
Always label all beakers.
Store specimens properly according to handling notes.
Always wear gloves
Dispose of specimens properly.
Safe disposal of materials - answer✔✔Always dilute spills with water before mopping up.
Use sand for the absorption of acid spills.
Do not pour organic solvents down the sink.
General Science PRAXIS 5435 Exam
Questions With Correct Answers
Identifying problems based on observations - answer✔✔Causal question—what am I seeing,
what hypothesis might I test to learn more information about what I am seeing?
Forming and testing hypotheses - answer✔✔Hypotheses make a prediction about what will
happen upon experimentation, but will not make inferences as to why something is happening.
I.e. As amount of physical exertion increases, heart rate will increase.
Development of theories, models and laws - answer✔✔A theory is a thoroughly vetted
explanation for phenomena. It is not a name taken lightly, it is almost fact; no evidence has
arisen to disprove the theory. A model is a type of theory that attempts to explain how something
works. I.e. heliocentric model. A law is a theory that has been proven to be fact, such as the laws
of motion. It has been affirmed that no evidence will ever be brought forward to disprove a law.
Hypotheses become theories as they are tested and supported over time. Theories become laws
when it is clear no evidence will come forward to disprove them.
Experimental design, including independent and dependent variables, controls, and sources of
error - answer✔✔The independent variable is the one and only thing about an experimental setup
that I am changing, in order to measure a dependent variable. I.e. I change the amount of
exercise, and heart rate changes as a result. Controls are what stays the same in my experiment.
I.e. how quickly I do jumping jacks, how many jumping jacks I do, that the same person is doing
the jumping jacks. Sources of error include anything that may be changing data that is
uncontrolled. I.e. food calorimetry lab, not all heat is being captured efficiently by the water.
Process skills including observing, comparing, inferring, categorizing, generalizing, and
concluding - answer✔✔Observing; making observations and asking causal questions.
Comparing; evaluate two phenomena in light of each other
Inferring; using evidence to offer an explanation of why something is happening
Categorizing: using observations to organize information
Generalizing: knowing what can and cannot be included in a generalization
Concluding: drawing conclusions based on experimental evidence.
,©THEBRIGHT EXAM STUDY SOLUTIONS 8/21/2024 1:28 PM
Nature of scientific knowledge: subject to change - answer✔✔As new evidence is gathered,
previous conclusions may change to fit the evidence. We can't know things until we make
hypotheses, and those hypotheses may be disproven.
Nature of scientific knowledge: consistent with evidence - answer✔✔We cannot call something
a scientific finding unless it is based on experimental evidence; anecdotal evidence is
insufficient.
Nature of scientific knowledge: based on reproducible evidence - answer✔✔Evidence has to be
reproducible in an experimental setting. A one-time phenomenon is not enough to come to
scientific conclusions. I.e. "I drank a soda and did well on my exam" does not make drinking
soda a tried and true way to do well on an exam; it needs to be experimentally tested.
Nature of scientific knowledge: includes unifying concepts and processes (e.g., systems, models,
constancy and change, equilibrium, form and function) - answer✔✔Consistent with previous
knowledge. Fits with other systems and models. Is able to be disproven and/or modified.
Common units of measurement (metric and English) including unit conversion and prefixes such
as milli and kilo - answer✔✔Kilogram (kg) -- .5 kg in 1 pound
Second (s)
Kelvin (K)
Meter (m) - 0.3 m = 1 ft
Liter (L) - 0.9 L in 1 quart
Unit Prefixes from largest to smallest:
Giga
Mega
Kilo
Deci
Centi
Milli
Micro
Nano
Pico
Femto
, ©THEBRIGHT EXAM STUDY SOLUTIONS 8/21/2024 1:28 PM
Organization and presentation of data - answer✔✔Bar graph to compare numbers in different
groups.
Line graph to look at data over time.
Pie chart to compare parts of a whole.
Histogram to compare continuous numerical groups.
Dot plot a modification of bar graphs.
Labels on axes.
Basic data and error analysis including determining mean, accuracy, precision, and sources of
error - answer✔✔Mean: total divided by number of groups/individuals. Accuracy: correct
results. Precision: same results repeatedly. Sources of error: Why does my data not look how it
should?
Trends in data - answer✔✔Skewed? Right or left? Continuous growth or shrinking?
Relationships between variables - answer✔✔Correlation vs. causation. We often cannot
conclude causation.
Predictions based on data - answer✔✔What will happen in the future? What could cause a
change in the data?
Drawing valid conclusions based on data - answer✔✔Drawing correlations between variables
while accounting for any error or confounding factors.
Appropriate and safe use of materials (e.g., chemicals, lab specimens) - answer✔✔Always read
safety labels, and have access to the SES sheet.
If chemical is labeled as "harmful when inhaled" it must only be used in a fume hood. Gloves
must be worn for any chemical that is an irritant or corrosive.
Glass, heat, or chemicals require the use of safety goggles.
Always label all beakers.
Store specimens properly according to handling notes.
Always wear gloves
Dispose of specimens properly.
Safe disposal of materials - answer✔✔Always dilute spills with water before mopping up.
Use sand for the absorption of acid spills.
Do not pour organic solvents down the sink.
