Essential Science Vocabulary - ACT Science
Card 1 of 48
What is a positive correlation?
What is a positive correlation?
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When one variable increases, the other increases too (both go up together).
When one variable increases, the other increases too (both go up together).
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What is a negative correlation?
What is a negative correlation?
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When one variable increases, the other decreases (they move in opposite directions).
When one variable increases, the other decreases (they move in opposite directions).
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What does it mean if two variables are inversely proportional?
What does it mean if two variables are inversely proportional?
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As one increases, the other decreases at a constant rate (e.g., speed and travel time).
As one increases, the other decreases at a constant rate (e.g., speed and travel time).
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What does directly proportional mean?
What does directly proportional mean?
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As one variable increases, the other increases in the same ratio.
As one variable increases, the other increases in the same ratio.
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What does it mean if data 'fluctuates'?
What does it mean if data 'fluctuates'?
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The data goes up and down instead of following a single trend.
The data goes up and down instead of following a single trend.
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What does 'trend' mean in data?
What does 'trend' mean in data?
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The general direction the data is moving — upward, downward, or constant.
The general direction the data is moving — upward, downward, or constant.
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What does it mean if a graph 'plateaus'?
What does it mean if a graph 'plateaus'?
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It levels off — the values stop changing and stay constant.
It levels off — the values stop changing and stay constant.
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If a graph shows a steep slope, what does that mean?
If a graph shows a steep slope, what does that mean?
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There’s a rapid or strong rate of change between variables.
There’s a rapid or strong rate of change between variables.
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If a line on a graph is horizontal, what does that show?
If a line on a graph is horizontal, what does that show?
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No change — the variable stays constant.
No change — the variable stays constant.
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If two lines on a graph both go up together, what type of correlation is that?
If two lines on a graph both go up together, what type of correlation is that?
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Positive correlation.
Positive correlation.
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What is a hypothesis?
What is a hypothesis?
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An educated guess or prediction that can be tested by an experiment.
An educated guess or prediction that can be tested by an experiment.
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What is the independent variable?
What is the independent variable?
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The variable that is changed or controlled by the experimenter.
The variable that is changed or controlled by the experimenter.
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What is the dependent variable?
What is the dependent variable?
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The variable that is measured or observed to see the effect of the change.
The variable that is measured or observed to see the effect of the change.
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What is a control group?
What is a control group?
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A group that does not receive the experimental treatment — used for comparison.
A group that does not receive the experimental treatment — used for comparison.
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What is a constant (controlled variable)?
What is a constant (controlled variable)?
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A factor that stays the same throughout the experiment to ensure fairness.
A factor that stays the same throughout the experiment to ensure fairness.
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What does 'sample size' mean?
What does 'sample size' mean?
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The number of subjects or items tested in an experiment.
The number of subjects or items tested in an experiment.
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What is replication in an experiment?
What is replication in an experiment?
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Repeating an experiment to confirm results and reduce error.
Repeating an experiment to confirm results and reduce error.
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What is experimental error?
What is experimental error?
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Mistakes or variations in data that can affect accuracy.
Mistakes or variations in data that can affect accuracy.
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What is the purpose of a data table?
What is the purpose of a data table?
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To organize and display results clearly for comparison.
To organize and display results clearly for comparison.
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What does the x-axis on a graph usually represent?
What does the x-axis on a graph usually represent?
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The independent variable (the one you control or change).
The independent variable (the one you control or change).
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