Understandings about scientific inquiry Scientific investigations involve asking and answering a question and comparing the answer with what scientists already know about the world. Scientists use different kinds of investigations depending on the questions they are trying to answer. Types of investigations include describing objects, events, and organisms. Simple instruments, such as magnifiers and rulers, provide more information than scientists obtain using only their senses. Scientists make the results of their investigations public.
Scientists review and ask questions about the results of other scientists' work.
Physical Science Properties of objects and materials Objects have many observable properties, including size, weight, shape, color, temperature, and the ability to react with other substances. Those properties can be measured using tools. Objects are made of one or more materials and can be described by the properties of the materials from which they are made. Light, heat, electricity, and magnetism Light travels in a straight line until it strikes an object. Light can be reflected by a mirror, refracted by a lens, or absorbed by the object.