Question

from the outside, a whales flippers appear to be flat, solid objects. however, when scientists observed the bones within whale flippers they found bones like the ones shown in the diagram. observing the bones made scientists ask more questions about whale flippers. scientists then used the theory of evolution to understand how whales are related to land mammals. they surmised that over millions of years, the land mammals slowly adapted to living near the sea and then living in the sea, where solid flippers are more useful than fingers. what part of the scientific cycle was used to understand why whales have finger bones? experiments observation explanation facts

Explanation:

The scientists used the theory of evolution to explain why whales have finger bones. They surmised a process (land mammals adapting to sea life over millions of years) which is an explanation. Experiments involve testing hypotheses (not mentioned here). Observation was done initially (observing bones), but the question is about understanding "why" (explanation). Facts are just pieces of information; here a reasoning - based explanation is used.

Answer:

The scientists used the theory of evolution to explain why whales have finger bones. They surmised a process (land mammals adapting to sea life over millions of years) which is an explanation. Experiments involve testing hypotheses (not mentioned here). Observation was done initially (observing bones), but the question is about understanding "why" (explanation). Facts are just pieces of information; here a reasoning - based explanation is used.