Practice lab

Lab #: 0

Topic: Measurement
Skill: M/M, ORR, AI

Aim: To determine the volume of a drink bottle cap.

Apparatus: drink bottle cap, measuring cylinder, beaker, dropper, water.

Diagrams:

Bottle caps measuring cylinder beaker dropper

METHOD:

 Place the bottle cap on a flat surface.

 Use the dropper to completely fill the bottle cap with water.
 Carefully transfer all the water to the measuring cylinder. (Avoid spilling. If spilling
occurs you may have to start over).
 Use the correct procedure to read the measuring cylinder.
 Record your reading in a table such as the one below.
 Repeat method 1 – 5 until a total of ten (ten) readings have been
obtained.
 Results

Number of Total volume

capfuls / ml

Graph

 Plot a graph of total volume against number of capfuls.

Calculations

 Determine the gradient of the graph showing how the values were obtained.
 Calculate the average volume of a capful of water using values from your table.

Discussion

 What are the sources of error of this experiment?

 What precautions were taken or could be taken to minimize the errors identified?
 What is the significance of the gradient of the graph (look at what was calculated)
 Which method of finding the volume of a cap do you consider to be most accurate?

Conclusion

The volume of a drink bottle cap was found to be …….

N

Mark scheme:

ORR

1. Sub headings named: title, aim, apparatus etc. 1

2. Sub headings in sequential order 1
3. Correct information under each headings 1
4. Use of English, grammar, spelling, past tense 1
5. Conclusion present and accurate 1
Total 5

GRAPH

1. Title with units 1

2. Axes labelled with units 1
3. Axes regular and large (greater than ½ page) 1
4. Correct plotting of points 3
5. Line of best fit 1
Total 7

GRADIENT

1. Formula for gradient 1

2. Correct read off of values X and Y 2
3. Correct calculation of gradient, include units 2

Total 5

DISCUSSION

1. Sources of error - at least 2 1

2. Precautions – at least 2 1
3. Significance of gradient 1
 Total 3

Overall 20


Lab #: 1

Topic: Simple pendulum

Skill: M/M, AI

Aim: To investigate the relationship between the length and period of a simple
pendulum.
Apparatus: metal bob, stopwatch, retort stand, meter rule, string
Diagram:

METHOD:

• Set up pendulum as shown in the diagram with the length, l, of about 80 cm. A
small metal object was used as the bob

• Fix a pointer opposite the position of the bob when it hangs at rest

• Set the pendulum swinging and check with a protractor that the angle of the swing
is not more than 100 o .

• Sit in the front of the pendulum so that your eye is level with the bob and right
angles to the swing.

• As the bob passes the pointer, start the stopwatch.

• When it next passes the pointer going in the same direction, this is one oscillation.
• Using the countdown method, record the time for 20 oscillations of the pendulum
and calculate the period, T.

• Repeat the experiment for seven (7) additional values of the length, l, until the
length is finally 10 cm.

RESULTS:
. Record and tabulate all results (in table below showing all headings and
units)

Length Time for 20 Period (Period )2

l/m oscillations T/s T2/s2
t/s
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1

• Plot a graph of the period, T 2 against length, l.

CALCULATIONS:
• Calculate the gradient, of the line, showing clearly how you have obtained
your answer.

• Find the acceleration due to gravity, g, given that

g=4π 2/gradient

 Use your graph to find the period of a pendulum whose length is 35 cm

DISCUSSION:
 Does your graph show proportionality?

 What is the relationship between length and period of the pendulum?

CONCLUSION:
MM

MARK SCHEME: SIMPLE PENDULUM

A. Pendulum set up securely 1 mark
B. Pointer placed securely at the correct point 1 mark
C. Pendulum set swinging at angle not more than 30 degrees 1 mark
D. Countdown method used to start timing 1 mark
E. Stop watch operated correctly (zeroed between uses) 1 mark

Total 5 marks
Lab #: 2
Topic: Measurement
Skill: ORR

Aim: To find the average mass of a coin

Apparatus: 20 similar coins, triple beam balance

Picture of triple beam balance

METHOD

 Paste a diagram of a triple beam balance in your laboratory report. Label the parts
 Calibrate the balance
 Choose twenty coins of the same size
 Determine the mass of two coins.
 Add two more coins and determine the mass.
 Repeat the additions until all the coins are used up
 Present your results in a suitable table
 Plot a graph of mass against number of coins
 Find the gradient of the graph
 What is the significance of the gradient of the graph

Results

Number of coins Total mass / g

10

12
 12

16

18

20

Graph

 Plot a graph of total mass against number of coins.

Calculations

 Determine the gradient of the graph showing how the values were obtained.
 Calculate the average mass of a coin using values from your table.

Discussion

 What are the sources of error of this experiment?

o Debris accumulated on coins may cause their mass to vary.
o Degrading/wearing of some coins may have occur due to age which may have
affected there mass.
o limitations in the sensitivity of the instruments used 
o Imperfections in the techniques used to make the measurement.
 What precautions were taken or could be taken to minimize the errors identified?
o
o
 What is the significance of the gradient of the graph (look at what was calculated)
 Which method of finding the mass of a coin do you consider to be most accurate? Give a
reason for your answer.

CONCLUSION

 The average mass of a coin was found to be ………..

MARK SCHEME

ORR
A. Sub-headings named (Aim, apparatus etc) 1 mark
B. Sub-headings in sequential order 1 mark
C. Correct information under correct heading 1 mark
D. Table present 1 mark
 E. Table neat and complete 1 mark
F. Graph title present and complete 1 mark
G. X – axis appropriately labeled 1 mark
H. Y – axis appropriately labelled 1 mark
I. Use of English(spelling, grammar, past tense etc) 1 mark (3 errors or less)
J. Conclusion at the end of report that relates to aim 1 mark

Total 10 marks
Lab #: 3
Topic: Density
Skill: A/I

Aim: To determine the density of an irregular object.

Apparatus: Beam balance, stone, measuring cylinder thread, water.

Diagram:

METHOD:

 Use the Beam balance to determine the mass of the stone (m).
 Pour water into the measuring cylinder and record the volume (V1).
 Securely tie a piece of thread to the stone
 Carefully lower the stone into the water in the measuring cylinder and record the new
volume (V2)
 Record your results in an appropriate table.

Result

Water Stone
Initial vol (V1). (ml) Final vol (V2). (ml) Volume (ml) Mass (g)
V1 – V2

CALCULATIONS;

 Determine the volume of the stone (show calculation)

 What is the formula for density
 Calculate the density of the stone giving proper units.
 Determine the density of the stone in Kgm-3.
 Given that the density of water is 1.0 gcm-3, determine the relative density of the stone.

DISCUSSION:

 Why was it important to gently lower the stone into the water?
 Outline two sources of error for this experiment.
 Give two precautions to minimize the errors identified

MARK SCHEME A/I

A. Accurate calculation of volume of stone 1 mark

B. Units volume present and correct 1 mark
C. Correct formula for density stated 1 mark
D. Density calculated accurately 1 mark
E. Units of density correct 1 mark
F. Accurate calculation of density in kgm-3. 1 mark
G. Accurate calculation of relative density 1 mark
H. Correct reason given for gently lowering stone 1 mark
I. Two reasonable sources of error present 1 mark
J. Two reasonable precautions present 1 mark
Total 10 marks
Lab #: 4
Topic: Properties of matter
Skill: P&D
Aim: To determine whether ice melts faster in salt water than in fresh water.

Problem: A student says that ice should melt faster in salt water than in fresh water. Design
an experiment to test if this is so.

Mark Scheme
A: Problem statement or research question 1 mark
B: Suitable hypothesis 1 mark
C: Appropriate Aim 1 mark
D: Apparatus 1 mark
E: Method in sequential order 1 mark
F: Method in present tense 1 mark
G: Expected Results 2 marks
H: Result/data collection 2 marks
 Tabular form (1 mark)
 Listing of quantities in table heading (1 mark)
I: Listing of variables 3 marks
 Controlled
 Manipulating
 Responding
 1 mark each
J: Source of error/Assumptions/Precautions 3 mark

Total 16 marks
To be scaled to 10 marks