Question

select the correct answer.
mary and jim find an unusual rock in their backyard. which question about the rock cannot be answered through scientific investigation?

how old is the rock?
what minerals make up the rock?
is it the most unusual rock in the area?
is it the heaviest rock in the backyard?

Explanation:

Identify the core scientific criteria

To be answered through scientific investigation, a question must be testable, objective, and based on observable evidence. Using the Scientific Method, we evaluate each option to see if it can be measured or tested.

Evaluate the testability of each question

• "How old is the rock?" can be tested using scientific methods like radiometric dating.
• "What minerals make up the rock?" can be tested using chemical analysis or mineralogical tests.
• "Is it the heaviest rock in the backyard?" can be tested by weighing the rocks in the backyard and comparing their masses.
• "Is it the most unusual rock in the area?" relies on the word "unusual," which is subjective and depends on personal opinion rather than objective measurement.

Determine the non-scientific question

Because "unusual" is a subjective opinion that cannot be measured objectively, the question "Is it the most unusual rock in the area?" cannot be answered through scientific investigation.

Answer:

• How old is the rock?
• What minerals make up the rock?
• Is it the most unusual rock in the area? (Correct answer)
• Is it the heaviest rock in the backyard?