Q. 1.37 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Classify each of the following statements as an observation or a hypothesis: $\left(1.2\right)$

a. A patient breaks out in hives after receiving penicillin.

b. Dinosaurs became extinct when a large meteorite struck  Earth and caused a huge dust cloud that severely decreased the amount of light reaching Earth.

c. The dash was run in  $9.8 s$.

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

a. The statement a patient breaks out in hives after receiving penicillin is classified below.

b. The statement dinosaurs became extinct when a large meteorite struck  Earth and caused a huge dust cloud that severely decreased the amount of light reaching Earth is classified below.

c.  The statement the dash was run-in $9.8s$ is classified below.

Part (a) step 1: Given Information

We need to classify the statement that a patient breaks out in hives after receiving penicillin. 

Part (a) step 2: Explanation

A patient breaking out in hives, as well as it occurred after the patient received penicillin, are two observations that are noted to have occurred.

So, the answer is $\mathit{O}$.

Part (b) step 1: Given Information

We need to classify the statement that dinosaurs became extinct when a large meteorite struck  Earth and caused a huge dust cloud that severely decreased the amount of light reaching Earth. 

Part (b) step 2: Explanation

This statement is a hypothesis because a prediction has been made to what happend in the past that is not necessarily observed to be happening at present.

So, the answer is H. 

Part (c) step 1: Given Information

We need to classify the statement that  The dash was run in  $9.8 s$.

Part (c) step 2: Explanation

This statement is an observation, as it describes something that has happened with facts that were seen and observed.

Then, the answer is O.