Dsst Astronomy (Part 2): Hallmarks Of Science & Major Theories

Front 1

Science seeks explanations for ______________ that rely solely on natural causes.

Back 1

Observable phenomena. This is the foundation of the scientific method.

Front 2

A physical, mathematical, or logical representation of a scientist's observations are usually presented in a __________.

Back 2

Model. Scientific models represent a formal interpretation of scientific observations.

Front 3

A scientific model must make __________ predictions.

Back 3

Testable. If tested predictions do not agree with observations, the model must be abandoned or revised.

Front 4

The scientific method consists of the collection of __________ through observation and experimentation.

Back 4

Data. Collecting data is part of the first, observational stage of the scientific method.

Front 5

Formulating a hypothesis represents the ______ stage of the scientific method.

Back 5

Question. The question or hypothesis stage focuses on creating a testable explanation for the observed data.

Front 6

Once a hypothesis is formed, a scientist ______ the outcome of the experiment.

Back 6

Predicts. A scientist makes reasonable predictions, based on the available data.

Front 7

________ is the final stage of the scientific method.

Back 7

Experimentation. An experiment is performed to test a scientist's hypothesis.

Front 8

Scientists should be __________ so as not to bias the results of an experiment.

Back 8

Objective. The data yielded from a biased experiment is considered scientifically unsound.

Front 9

If an experiment _______ a hypothesis, additional predictions and testing are required.

Back 9

Supports. A hypothesis must undergo significant testing before it can become a theory or law.

Front 10

If an experiment does not support a hypothesis, the hypothesis must be ____________.

Back 10

Revised. A falsified hypothesis should be revised or abandoned.

Front 11

A scientific _____ summarizes the order believed to exist within certain prescribed conditions.

Back 11

Law. Scientific law should have an empirical basis and have a history of successful replication.

Front 12

Scientific law should _____ new facts.

Back 12

Fit. As new facts are discovered, the laws of science should successfully incorporate these facts.

Front 13

Successful ______ of natural phenomena is a hallmark of scientific law.

Back 13

Prediction. Like hypotheses and theories, scientific law should accurately predict what is found in nature.

Front 14

Scientific law _______ be disproven.

Back 14

Can. Like a theory or hypothesis, a scientific law must be testable and capable of disproof.

Front 15

Ideally, the _________ conditions of scientific law should be known.

Back 15

Boundary. Conditions where a law fails should be know, if possible.

Front 16

_________ is a systematic and scientific way of exploring and understanding what is observed in the sky.

Back 16

Astronomy. This is the purpose of astronomy.

Front 17

The ___________ Theory states that the universe originated in a colossal explosion.

Back 17

Big Bang. According to this theory, a highly concentrated mass of gases suddenly and forcefully expanded outward around 10 to 14 billion years ago, creating the universe.

Front 18

A concentrated mass of ________ formed the universe, according to the Big Bang Theory.

Back 18

Gases. The Big Bang Theory contends that the universe began as a concentrated mass of gases.

Front 19

Many scientists believe the universe is ________.

Back 19

Expanding. While not universally accepted, many scientists believe that the expansion begun with the Big Bang is continuing - and accelerating.

Front 20

It is widely believed that life on Earth is a natural consequence of the __________.

Back 20

Big Bang. According to the theory, all matter in the universe originated with the gaseous cloud.

Front 21

The Big Bang Theory _____ universally accepted.

Back 21

Is not. Observations of star clusters older than universe and the distribution of galaxies in space have called the theory into question.

Front 22

Scientists have identified _____________ that appear to be older than the universe.

Back 22

Globular clusters. These spherical collections, or clusters, or stars are usually found in the "halo" of a galaxy. The age of these clusters has raised questions about the Big Bang Theory.

Front 23

The oldest galaxies in the universe exist in _______ with enormous voids of space between them.

Back 23

Superclumps. Older galaxies tend to clump together, while younger galaxies are farther apart. The discovery of this distribution of galaxies called into question the acceptance of the Big Bang Theory.

Front 24

The Friedmann Theory states that the universe began with a Big Bang followed by a ____________.

Back 24

Big Crunch. This theory led to the Oscillating Universe Theory.

Front 25

The ___________ Theory states that the universe undergoes a never-ending cycle of bangs and crunches.

Back 25

Oscillating. The Oscillating Universe Theory holds that the universe functions much like a star, with expansion and gravity always at odds.

Front 26

If gravity overcomes expansion, the result is a ___________.

Back 26

Big Crunch. If the gravitational attraction of matter is high enough, expansion can reverse and eventually all matter would collapse into black holes.

Front 27

In the ____________ Theory, new matter is created as the universe continually expands.

Back 27

Steady State. In the Steady State model, the universe is expanding, has no beginning or end, and is constant in appearance over time. This model is not widely accepted by astronomers.