Before reading the question: Understanding key, or important, words and phrases is crucial to answering questions. Sometimes a question directly asks you for a definition. Other times, the question uses keywords, so you’ll need to understand and apply them. Either way, when you see a key word or phrase, think about what it means and write it down on your screen to scratch.

Understand that an applied force can be either a push or a pull. Applied force is the work being done upon an object. Students should recognize that friction acts opposite the direction of motion.

Can be tested using data.

For example: How does the type of surface affect how far a toy car travels when pushed with the same force?

An educated guess based on research or prior knowledge.

For example: If toy cars are rolled on smooth surfaces, they will travel further than on rough surfaces.

Everything other than the independent variable stays the same

For example: Person pushing, the toy car, same starting point.

Usually some sort of data table to show the multiple trials.

Scientists communicate their results with others.