Science

Commonly Used Scientific Tools and Models

This document is a supplement to the Assessment Guide for Educators (AGE). Educators
may use this document as a resource for classroom instruction, and students may use it
for reinforcement of lessons and as a study guide in preparation for the GED Science test.

The examples provided are associated with the GED Science indicators and content topics
from the domains of life science, physical science, and Earth and space science. These
examples are separated into two sections: (1) Tools and (2) Models.

1. TOOLS
Balance (triple beam) Electronic Balance
An instrument that measures the mass An instrument that measures the mass
(grams; milligrams) of an object (grams; milligrams) of an object
Its measurement is more precise than a
triple beam balance.

Rabbitmindphoto/Shutterstock

Stopwatch
An instrument that measures a time litchima/Shutterstock

interval (usually minutes and seconds)

Test Tube with stopper
A container used to hold, heat, or mix
small amounts of substances

Aleksandr Bryliaev/Shutterstock

Rawan Hussein/123RF

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 Beaker Graduated Cylinder
A container that holds liquid samples An instrument that measures the volume
It can be used for mixing, heating, and (liters; milliliters) of a substance
stirring substances as well as for Its measurement is more precise than a
measuring approximate volumes (liters; flask or beaker.
milliliters) of solutions.

Idea tank/Shutterstock

Erlenmeyer Flask gloverk/Shutterstock

A container that holds and temporarily

stores liquid samples Funnel
It can be used for heating or stirring An instrument used to transfer liquid or
substances as well as for measuring powdered substances into a container
approximate volumes (liters; milliliters) of with a small opening; can also be used
solutions. for filtering

Jan Kaliciak/Shutterstock

Pipette/Dropper
An instrument used to transfer small
amounts (milliliters; microliters) of liquid
from one container to another

Paket/Shutterstock

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 Petri Dish Bunsen Burner
A container that holds a growth medium A gas burner that produces a single
used to culture different microorganisms continuous flame that can be used as a
and cells source for heating, sterilization, and
Can also be used to temporarily hold combustion
substances

Jan Kaliciak/Shutterstock

Metric Ruler/meter stick

An instrument that measures length Microscope Slide (with coverslip)
(meter; centimeter; millimeter) A thin flat piece of glass that holds
specimens for examination under a
microscope
Feng Yu/Shutterstock

Microscope (compound)
A microscope that uses light for the
magnification of samples that are placed
on a glass slide; can magnify 4 to 2,000
times the size of a sample
Thermometer
An instrument that measures temperature
(°Fahrenheit; °Celsius)

Yanas/Shutterstock

Joey Chan/Pearson Education Asia Ltd

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Seismograph Spring Scale
An apparatus that detects earthquakes and An apparatus with a spring and a hook
measures different aspects of an event by that measures the weight (grams) or
recording the movement of the ground force (newtons) of an object that is
attached to the hook

Tsz-shan Kwok/Pearson Education Asia Ltd

Simple Machines
A device that reduces the amount of force (newtons) required to move objects

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 2. MODELS

Bohr Model of an Atom Punnett Square

A diagram that shows the arrangement of A diagram that shows the possible
subatomic particles in an atom combination of alleles in offspring based
on parental alleles
Capital letters represent dominant alleles
and lowercase letters represent
recessive alleles.

PDQ Digital Media Solution LTD/Pearson Education Ltd

Energy Pyramid
Pedigree Chart A graphical representation that shows
A diagram that shows an inherited trait in a the energy found at each trophic level in
family over several generations an ecosystem

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Wave Properties
Characteristics that identify or describe waves

PDQ Digital Media Solution LTD/Pearson Education Ltd

Earth’s Layers
A diagram that shows the different layers of Earth

Sakurra/Shutterstock

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 Water Cycle
The continuous movement of water within Earth and its atmosphere

Designua/Shutterstock

Heat Transfer (convection, conduction, radiation)

The process by which heat (thermal energy) flows from one place to another through
convection, conduction, or radiation

Fouad A. Saad/Shutterstock

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 Earth’s Rotation
The amount of time (approximately 24 hours; 1 day) it takes Earth to complete one rotation
on its axis

Earth’s Revolution and Seasons

Revolution: The amount of time (approximately 365 days; 1 year) it takes Earth to travel
around the Sun.
Season: The changes that take place due to Earth’s tilt on its axis and the position on its
orbital path.

Designua/Shutterstock

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8
 Carbon Cycle
The continuous movement of carbon through Earth and its atmosphere

photoiconix/Shutterstock

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9
 Plate Tectonics Theory Newton’s Laws of Motion
A theory that explains how Earth’s Laws that explain the relationship
geological features (mountains, ridges, between the motion of an object and the
trenches, fault lines) form as a result of forces acting upon it
the movement of plates that are part of FIRST LAW: An object at rest will
the lithosphere remain at rest unless it is acted upon by
an unbalanced force. An object in
motion will remain in motion at constant
speed and direction unless acted upon
by an unbalanced force.
SECOND LAW: The acceleration of an
object depends on the mass of the
object and the amount of force applied
to it.
THIRD LAW: For every action force,
there is an equal and opposite reaction
force.

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GED® and GED Testing Service® are registered trademarks of the American Council on Education. They may not be used or reproduced without the express written permission of ACE or
GED Testing Service. The GED® and GED Testing Service® brands are administered by GED Testing Service LLC under license from the American Council on Education.
Copyright © 2022 GED Testing Service LLC. All rights reserved.