GAC013 Assessment Event #1 – Scientific Investigation and Report

Do males and females have

different abilities when making

and remembering observations?

Student´s name: Pablo Armando Sánchez Monroy

Student´s ID: ------

Teacher: Isaac Delgado

Due date: 26/08/23

Word count: 578 words.

GAC013 AE1 Pablo Sánchez ESNI

Science impacts our everyday lives in many ways that we often take for granted. From the

alarm clock that wakes us up in the morning to the phones we use to communicate,

science and technology are deeply embedded into our daily routines. One simple but

enlightening example of science at work is the pendulum - a weight suspended from a

pivot so it can swing freely. The pendulum illustrates basic scientific principles like periodic

motion, gravity, and energy transformation in an accessible way. Though it may seem

antiquated today, the pendulum was groundbreaking in its time for its ability to reliably

measure time. The development of the pendulum clock revolutionized timekeeping and

reflects how science can profoundly shape society. In this essay, I will discuss how the

pendulum demonstrates core scientific concepts and sheds light on the broader

relationship between science and everyday life. The pendulum shows how even simple

technologies rely on major scientific breakthroughs that ultimately transform human

experience.

The pendulum is a simple device that allows people to explore and apply key scientific methods and

principles. For example, one could use a pendulum to investigate how temperature affects period,

the time it takes for a pendulum to complete one full swing. By repeating measurements at different

temperatures and plotting the relationship between temperature and period, one could observe how

heating and cooling impacts the pendulum's motion, illustrating concepts like thermal expansion

[1]. Pendulums also lend themselves to investigations in social science and psychology. In a famous

experiment, researchers used a pendulum to evaluate how social expectation biases perceptions of

motion [2]. Participants were asked to "help" keep the pendulum swinging by reporting when it

stopped, but researchers actually manipulated the pendulum surreptitiously. This allowed them to

compare reported stop times to real stop times, revealing the influence of experimenter suggestions.

Everyday science like this demonstrates how the scientific method can be applied to mundane

objects and phenomena around us. From thermal physics to human psychology, the pendulum is a

26/09/2023 page 2
GAC013 AE1 Pablo Sánchez ESNI

versatile and accessible tool for learning core scientific skills - observation, measurement,

hypothesis testing, and critical thinking. With simple homemade pendulums, people can experiment

on their own and experience the excitement of discovery.

The pendulum has also been used in attempts to measure differences in intelligence between

genders. Historically, men have tended to believe they are more intelligent than women overall.

However, research shows that men and women have comparable general intelligence on average

[1]. While gender gaps have closed over time, differences do exist in some cognitive strengths. For

example, studies show women tend to excel in language skills while men tend to excel in spatial

skills [2]. However, such differences are heavily influenced by social factors and do not imply one

gender is "smarter" overall. Importantly, intelligence takes many forms that standard tests fail to

capture fully. Focusing on how we are the same and how we complement each other will lead to

more peaceful and productive outcomes.

REFERENCES:

Reilly, D. (2022). Men think they’re brighter than they are and women
underestimate their IQ. Why? [online] The Conversation. Available at:
https://theconversation.com/men-think-theyre-brighter-than-they-are-and-
women-underestimate-their-iq-why-178645. [Accessed 26/09/23]

Britannica (2018). Pendulum. In: Encyclopædia Britannica. [online] Available at:

https://www.britannica.com/technology/pendulum. [Accessed 26/09/23]

Oup.com. (2023). [online] Available at:

https://academic.oup.com/book/9250/chapter-abstract/155943655?
redirectedFrom=fulltext [Accessed 26 Sep. 2023].

26/09/2023 page 3
GAC013 AE1 Pablo Sánchez ESNI

26/09/2023 page 4