Date:..................................

1.2:

Understanding the Steps in Scientific Investigation

1.

Arrange the steps of scientific investigation given below in the correct order.
Report the result of the investigation
Control the variables
Propose a hypothesis
Identify the problem

Collect data
Draw a conclusion
Analyse and interpret the data
Plan the experiment

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

2.

An experiment was carried out to study the relationship between the length of a
pendulum and the time taken to make a complete swing. The set-up of apparatus for the
experiment is shown in the diagram below.

Length of pendulum

p.1

a)

Match the following to identify the variables in the experiment

The mass of the pendulum bob

Constant variable

The time taken to make a complete swing

Manipulated variables

The length of the pendulum

Responding variable

The results of the experiment are shown in the following table.

Length of Pendulum (cm)
10
20
30
40
50
b)

Time Taken to Make a Complete Swing (s)

0.53
0.75
1.03
1.24
1.55

Fill in the blanks correctly.

Objective:
To study the relationship between the ..........................................................
and the ...........................................................................................................
Hypothesis:

The longer the ..........................................................................., the longer

the ..................................................................................................................

Conclusion:

The longer the ............................................................................, the longer

the ..................................................................................................................

3.

A simple pendulum is set up to study the relationship between the length of the pendulum
and the period of oscillation. The results of the investigation are recorded in the table
below.
Length of the
pendulum (cm)
20

st

1 reading
24.0

Time for 20 oscillations (s)

2nd reading
3rd reading
23.0
22.0

Average
22.0

Period (s)
1.10
1.50

25

29.0

30.0

31.0

30.0

30

42.0

41.0

40.0

42.0

35

50.0

52.0

51.0

40

65.0

66.0

64.0

a)

Complete the missing numbers in the table.

b)

Identify the problem in this scientific investigation.

2.55

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p.2
c)

Based on the table, suggest a hypothesis for this experiment.

................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................
d)

State the variables involved in this experiment.

Manipulated variable :..........................................................................................................
Responding variable :..........................................................................................................
Constant variable

Sketch the graph of the period of oscillation against the length of the pendulum.

one oscillation (s)

Time taken to complete

e)

:..........................................................................................................

Length of pendulum (cm)

f)

State the relationship between the length of the pendulum and the period of oscillation.
................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................

g)

What conclusion can be made from this experiment?

................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................

h)

Is the hypothesis accepted? ..................................................................................................

i)

State one reason why the experiment is repeated three times for each length of the
pendulum.
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p.3