Final answer:
An experiment is a controlled procedure used to gain insight into the physical or natural world. It is a key component of scientific investigations, which involve observing and manipulating variables to develop theories and scientific laws.
Step-by-step explanation:
A controlled test or procedure carried out to learn more about the physical or natural world is better known as an experiment. Experiments are a type of scientific investigation conducted in a regulated setting, often a laboratory, where one can manipulate an independent variable to observe the effects on a dependent variable. Science relies heavily on such experimentation to advance our understanding through observation, experimentation, and the development of scientific laws and theories based on systematic evidence and logical analysis. The practice of science encompasses numerous disciplines such as physics, chemistry, and biology, and utilizes formal sciences like mathematics and logic to support the analyses.
Science is inherently a methodical and creative endeavor, aimed both at solving practical problems and expanding knowledge purely out of curiosity. Whether through the precision of physical laws or the elegance of experimental design, science endeavors to reveal the workings of the natural world in an objective, verifiable manner. Moreover, science is not only a collection of facts but also a process of continual discovery and refinement of our understanding of nature.