All flashcards
Flashcard 1: Which change is most appropriate if a cup-and-string phone string keeps sagging: pull it tight or leave it loose?
Answer: Pull it tight. Taut strings carry sound vibrations better than loose ones.
Flashcard 2: What is the main goal of improving a communication device after testing it?
Answer: To make the device work better based on test results. Testing reveals what needs fixing to enhance performance.
Flashcard 3: What do you call a part of the device that worked well during a test?
Answer: A success. Success means the part functioned as intended.
Flashcard 4: What do you call a part of the device that did not work well during a test?
Answer: A problem. Problems are parts that failed to meet expectations.
Flashcard 5: Which step comes right after you test a communication device: plan, build, test, or improve?
Answer: Improve. The engineering cycle follows: plan, build, test, then improve.
Flashcard 6: What is one correct way to record what worked and what did not during a device test?
Answer: Write notes in a results chart. Charts organize test data for easy analysis.
Flashcard 7: Which action best uses test results: guessing changes or using observations to choose changes?
Answer: Using observations to choose changes. Data-driven changes are more effective than random guesses.
Flashcard 8: What does it mean to improve a device fairly by changing only one thing at a time?
Answer: Change one variable at a time. Testing one change isolates its effect on performance.
Flashcard 9: What should you do first when a device does not work as planned during a test?
Answer: Identify what part caused the problem. Finding the cause helps target the right solution.
Flashcard 10: Which choice is the best reason to keep parts that worked well: to save time or to avoid improvement?
Answer: To save time by keeping what already works. Efficiency means preserving successful components.
Flashcard 11: Identify the best improvement goal: “make it prettier” or “make the message clearer to hear.”
Answer: Make the message clearer to hear. Function matters more than appearance for communication.
Flashcard 12: Which change is most appropriate if a cup-and-string phone sounds too quiet: shorter string or longer string?
Answer: Shorter string. Shorter strings transmit vibrations more effectively.
Flashcard 13: Identify the best fix if the string slips out of the cup hole: make a knot or cut the string shorter.
Answer: Make a knot. Knots prevent the string from detaching during use.
Flashcard 14: Which improvement best matches this result: “sound was muffled by the cup”?
Answer: Use a stiffer cup material. Rigid materials vibrate better to transmit sound clearly.
Flashcard 15: Find the best next step: You changed one part and it worked better; what should you do next?
Answer: Test again to confirm the improvement. Retesting verifies the change actually helped.
Flashcard 16: Identify the best choice: If two changes are needed, should you change both at once or one at a time?
Answer: One at a time. Sequential changes let you identify which one helped.
Flashcard 17: Which statement correctly compares tests: “same test each time” or “different test each time” for fairness?
Answer: Same test each time. Consistent testing ensures fair comparison of results.
Flashcard 18: What should you do with your device design after you improve it and it works better?
Answer: Update the design plan to match the new version. Documentation keeps your plan current with improvements.
Flashcard 19: Identify the best action if a device did not work because it fell apart.
Answer: Make it stronger so it stays together. Structural reinforcement prevents failure from breaking apart.
Flashcard 20: Identify the best action if a device worked well but was too slow.
Answer: Change a part to make it faster. Speed improvements address performance while maintaining function.
Flashcard 21: What should stay the same in a fair test when you improve a device?
Answer: Everything except the one part you are changing. Controlling variables ensures changes are due to the tested factor.
Flashcard 22: Which option best describes a fair test: change one thing or change many things?
Answer: Change one thing. Fair tests control variables by changing only one factor.
Flashcard 23: Which tool helps you remember test results: a results chart or a random guess?
Answer: A results chart. Charts document data systematically for accurate reference.
Flashcard 24: Identify the best reason to change only one part at a time when improving a device.
Answer: You can tell which change caused the improvement. Isolating variables reveals which specific change created results.
Flashcard 25: Which change is best when improving a device: change one part or many parts at once?
Answer: Change one part. Single changes isolate variables for clear cause-effect analysis.
Flashcard 26: What is one correct way to fix what did not work: change it or ignore it?
Answer: Change it. Modifying failed components addresses identified problems.
Flashcard 27: Which step comes right after you test a device: build, test, or improve?
Answer: Improve. The design cycle follows: build → test → improve → repeat.
Flashcard 28: What is the meaning of what worked when testing a device?
Answer: Parts of the device that did the job as planned. These components successfully fulfilled their intended function.
Flashcard 29: What is the meaning of improve a device in a science design project?
Answer: Make changes so the device works better than before. Improving means making modifications to enhance performance.
Flashcard 30: Which option is best if a change made the device worse: keep it or undo the change?
Answer: Undo the change. Reversing unsuccessful changes restores previous functionality.