Assumption — Science definition
Defined in 2 courses:
- Something a result depends on without having established it — a representative sample, complete detection, a full list of pathways; stated beside the result. (Life Science & Scientific Inquiry)
- A condition taken as true for a model or calculation and needing to be checked against the case. (Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy)
Where it is taught
- Life Science Capstone: Explain, Test & Revise — Evolution, Evidence & Life History, Life Science & Scientific Inquiry, Grade 7
- Atomic Structure — Properties of Matter, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Physical vs. Chemical Properties — Properties of Matter, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Density & Floating — Properties of Matter, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- The Periodic Table — Properties of Matter, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Materials: Properties, Uses & Impacts — Properties of Matter, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- States of Matter & Phase Changes — Phases of Matter, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Temperature & Thermal Energy — Phases of Matter, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Gas Particles, Diffusion & Pressure — Phases of Matter, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Evaporation, Condensation & a Wet Cold Cup — Phases of Matter, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Heating Curves & Energy During Phase Change — Phases of Matter, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Signs of a Chemical Reaction — Chemistry, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Conservation of Mass — Chemistry, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Balancing Chemical Equations — Chemistry, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions — Chemistry, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Acids, Bases & pH — Chemistry, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Balanced & Unbalanced Forces — Forces, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Interaction Pairs & Force Diagrams — Forces, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Gravity & Friction — Forces, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Electric & Magnetic Forces — Forces, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Pressure & Buoyant Forces — Forces, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Speed, Velocity & Acceleration — Motion, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Reading Motion Graphs — Motion, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Newton's Three Laws of Motion — Motion, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Collisions, Deformation & Changes in Motion — Motion, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Designing & Revising a Collision Protector — Motion, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Work: Transferring Energy with a Force — Work & Machines, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Levers, Ramps & Pulleys — Work & Machines, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Mechanical Advantage — Work & Machines, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Efficiency & Improving a Design — Work & Machines, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Power: The Rate of Energy Transfer — Work & Machines, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Kinetic & Potential Energy — Energy & Heat Transfer, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Energy Transfer & Transformation — Energy & Heat Transfer, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Thermal Energy & Heat Transfer — Energy & Heat Transfer, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Conservation of Energy — Energy & Heat Transfer, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Electricity & Simple Circuits — Energy & Heat Transfer, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Sound Sources, Vibrations & Receivers — Waves, Sound & Light, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Wave Properties — Waves, Sound & Light, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Sound Waves — Waves, Sound & Light, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Light & the Electromagnetic Spectrum — Waves, Sound & Light, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
- Waves, Information & a Speaker System — Waves, Sound & Light, Physical Science: Matter, Forces & Energy, Grade 8
In use
And it states the assumptions it rests on, the alternative explanations it has not ruled out, and the qualifications that limit the claim.
Life Science Capstone: Explain, Test & Revise
Questions using assumption
Problem 1
Hints
Keep temperature, material and temperature rise distinct from mass.
Answer and explanation
30°C, the midpoint for equal masses of the same material, assuming no energy lost or absorbed by the container and no phase change.
Problem 2
Hints
Distinguish the observed quantities, the proposed mechanism and its conditions.
Answer and explanation
The product is 2,400 kPa·mL, so the predicted pressure is 160 kPa at 15 mL. Amount and temperature must remain fixed; the particles do not shrink.
The product is 2,400 kPa·mL, so the predicted pressure is 160 kPa at 15 mL. Amount and temperature must remain fixed; the particles do not shrink.
Problem 3
Answer and explanation
400 J enters during the four-minute interval. In the simplified model it supports melting and changed particle interactions while the temperature stays approximately constant. It is not missing energy. Some real input can also reach the container or surroundings, so attributing all 400 J to the sample requires an idealized boundary and negligible losses.
400 J enters during the four-minute interval. In the simplified model it supports melting and changed particle interactions while the temperature stays approximately constant. It is not missing energy. Some real input can also reach the container or surroundings, so attributing all 400 J to the sample requires an idealized boundary and negligible losses.
Response criteria
- Use the supplied conditions and relevant evidence.
- Explain the scientific mechanism or calculation.
- State a meaningful limitation or testable next step.
Problem 4
Answer and explanation
Energy is 50 J/s × 20 s = 1,000 J. This uses a constant or appropriately averaged 50 W over the entire interval; real varying operation requires interval data.
Energy is 50 J/s × 20 s = 1,000 J. This uses a constant or appropriately averaged 50 W over the entire interval; real varying operation requires interval data.
Response criteria
- Use the supplied conditions and relevant evidence.
- Explain the scientific mechanism or calculation.
- State a meaningful limitation or testable next step.
Taught alongside
- inquiry report
- alternative explanation
- qualification
- revision
- atom
- proton
- neutron
- electron
- nucleus
- atomic number
- mass number
- isotope
- ion
- model