IB Criteria Assessed

Data Collection, Data Processing,Evaluation

CriteriaassessedAspect

123

LevelawardedPl (a)Pl (b)DCDPPCE

International Baccalaureate Physics4/PSOW

To Measure the Stiffness of Steel by theOscillations of a Hacksaw Blade

Aim:

This is to show that a concept difficult to measure can be easilycalculated indirectly from a suitable equation. Also this is further practice in plotting an appropriate graph and using the gradient to finda constant - in this case the constant is the stiffness (E) of the steel.Also you will see how to use your graph to obtain a

estimate of accuracy.

Apparatus:

Clamp, hacksaw blade, stop watch, 2 magnets, ruler, micrometer,digital scales, blocks of wood.

Diagram:

Method:

Clamp the hacksaw blade between the 2 blocks of wood with the blade vertical. Attach the 2 magnetsto the end of the blade, about 0.15 m from the blocks (distance x). Pull the magnets to one side andrelease them so that the blade vibrates. Time the period T. Repeat this for various lengths of x up to 0.3m. Also measure the mass of the magnets (M), the thickness of the hacksaw blade (d), and the breadth(b).

Data Collection:

Period T, mass M and stiffness E are related by the equation:

•

Draw a suitable table to include all of the variables together with their actual uncertainties and percentage uncertainties due to the apparatus used.

Data Processing and Presentation:

•

Plot a suitable graph that will allow you to find the stiffness E.

•

What is the accuracy of your result?

•

To estimate this, find the best-fit line on the graph and the worst fit line.

•

Calculate a value for E from each gradient and so find a

value for your result for E.

Conclusion and Evaluation:

•

What does the term “stiffness” mean?

•

What is the value of the stiffness (E) for steel?

•

How does this value compare with the one that you have obtained.

•

Suggest reasons for any differences.

•

Suggest areas where the procedures used in this practical may have been the cause of some of these errors.

ClampHacksaw bladeMagnets Mx

3322

x E bd M T

π=

International Baccalaureate Physics4/PSOW

•

Suggest modifications to the practical to minimise any errors and shortcomings.

International Baccalaureate Physics4/PSOW

Internal Assessment Marking Form

Crit.AspectsLevelGradePl(a)

Research Question:

c.Identifies a

focused

problem or researchquestion. p.States the problem or research question, but itis unclear or incomplete.n.Does not state the problem or researchquestion

repeats thegeneral aim provided bythe teacher.

Hypothesis:

Relates

the hypothesis or prediction directly to theresearch question and

explains

it,

quantitatively

where appropriate. p.States the hypothesis or prediction but does notexplain it.n.Does not state ahypothesis or prediction.

Variables:

c.Selects therelevant

independent

and

controlledvariable(s)

. p.Selects somerelevantvariables.n.Does not selectany relevantvariables.ccc 3ccp 2ccn 2cpp 2 ppp 1cpn 1cnn 1 ppn 1 pnn 0nnn 0

Pl(b)

Materials / Apparatus:

c.Selects appropriateapparatus or materials. p.Selects someappropriateapparatus or materials.n.Does not selectany apparatus or materials.

Control of Variables:

c.Describes a methodthat allows for thecontrol of thevariables. p.Describes a methodthat makes someattempt to control thevariables.n.Describes a methodthat does not allow for the control of thevariables.

Collecting Data:

c.Describes a method thatallows for the collectionof sufficient relevantdata. p.Describes a method thatallows for the collectionof insufficient relevantdata.n.Describes a method thatdoes not allow anyrelevant data to becollected.ccc 3ccp 2ccn 2cpp 2 ppp 1cpn 1cnn 1 ppn 1 pnn 0nnn 0

Collecting / Recording Raw Data:

c.Records appropriate raw data (qualitativeand/or quantitative), including units anduncertainties where necessary. p.Records some appropriate raw data.n.Does not record any appropriate raw data.

Aspect 1 includes units, uncertainties,significant digits

Organising / Presenting Raw Data:

c.Presents raw data clearly,allowing for easyinterpretation. p.Presents raw data but does notallow for easy interpretation.n.Does not present raw data

presents it incomprehensibly.cc 3cp 2cn 1 pp 1 pn 0nn 0

DPP

Processing Raw Data:

c.Processes the rawdata correctly. p.Some raw data is processed correctly.n.No processing of rawdata is carried out

major errors are madein processing.

Presenting Processed Data:

c.Presents processed data appropriately, helpinginterpretation and, where relevant, takes intoaccount errors and uncertainties. p.Presents processed data appropriately but with someerrors and/or omissions.n.Presents processed data inappropriately

incomprehensibly

Aspect 2 includes uncertainty bars, max / min slopes(HL), axes with labels and units, best fit line drawn

cc 3cp 2cn 1 pp 1 pn 0nn 0

Drawing Conclusions:

c.Gives a validconclusion, based on thecorrect interpretation of the results, with anexplanation and, whereappropriate, comparesresults with literaturevalues. p.States a conclusion thathas some validity.n.Draws a conclusion that

Evaluating procedure(s)and results:

c.Evaluates procedure(s)and results includinglimitations,weaknesses or errors. p.Evaluates procedure(s)and results but missessome obviouslimitations or errors.n.The evaluation issuperficial

Improving theinvestigation:

c.Identifiesweaknesses andstates realisticsuggestions toimprove theinvestigation. p.Suggests onlysimplisticimprovements.n.Suggests unrealisticccc 3ccp 2ccn 2cpp 2 ppp 1cpn 1cnn 1 ppn 1 pnn 0nnn 0