SOL review

2. Scientific Method
 A scientific theory is a well-substantiated
explanation of some aspect of the natural
world, based on a body of facts that have
been repeatedly confirmed through
observation and experiment. Scientists
create scientific theories from hypotheses
that have been corroborated through the
scientific method, then gather evidence to
test their accuracy.
 A scientific law or scientific principle is a
concise verbal or mathematical statement
of a relation that expresses a fundamental
principle of science, like Newton's law of
universal gravitation. A scientific law must
always apply under the same conditions,
and implies a causal relationship between
its elements. The law must be confirmed
and broadly agreed upon through the
process of inductive reasoning.
 Like theories and hypotheses, laws make
predictions (specifically, they predict that
new observations will conform to the law),
and can be falsified if they are found in
contradiction with new data.

3. Reading Graphs
 Independent variable
goes on the x-axis,
dependent on the y-
axis
 Constants are things
that stay the same in
an experiment
 Control group is the
group that you do not
manipulate…
independent variable
is not applied

4. What is Density?
 Density is defined as the mass of an object per
unit volume. It is the relationship between the
mass and volume of a certain object
 So what does that mean?
 If the molecules are more compact or packed together,
it is said to have more density.
 If they are loosely packed, they are said to be less
dense.

5. How to Solve for Density
 It’s simple….D = m/v!
 Cover up what you
want to solve for and
go for it!
 If the values are on
top of each other, you
divide. If they are
next to each other,
you multiply.

6. Latitude & Longitude
 Lines of latitude run
horizontally and are
measured north and
south of the equator
(0o)
 Lines of longitude run
vertically and are
measured east and
west of the prime
meridian (0o)
 180o longitude line is
the International
Date Line.

7. Practice with Coordinates
A. 30 N, 100 W
B. 39 N, 87 W
C. 25 N, 78 W
D. 43 N, 121 W
E. 47 N, 94 W

8. Topographic Mapping
 Topographic maps show
differences in the elevation of the
Earth’s surface
 Lines connecting points of equal
elevation are called contour
lines; contour lines already
marked with an elevation are
called index contours; the
distance between side by side
contours is called the contour
interval
 Contour lines that are close
together indicate steep
elevation, and contour lines
farther apart indicate gentle
elevation
 Benchmarks are located on the
tops of mountains or hills that tell
the exact elevation

9. Practice with Topo Maps