Operational Definition

• Meaning “defining concepts by describing what must be

done and what should be observed” (kebolehan memberi
tafsiran tentang sesuatu konsep dengan menyatakan perkara yang
dilakukan dan diperhatikan)
• e.g.
• Conceptual definition
• Acid is a substance that ionises in water to produce hydrogen ion
(cannot be observed)
• Coagulation of latex means the negative charges on the membrane
of latex molecules are neutralized by hydrogen ions……..
• An electric kettle is an electrical apparatus

• Operational definition
• Acid is a substance that turns blue litmus red (can be done & also
can be observed)
• Coagulation of latex means latex becomes a solid when acid is
added
• An elelctric kettle is an apparatus for boiling water
• An insect is an animal with 3 pairs of legs (can be observed)
 Operational Definition
• Examples :
• Chemistry Form 4
• 1. An alkali metal is a metal that reacts with
water and the solution formed turns red litmus
paper blue.
• 2. An alkali metal that reacts more vigorously
and rapidly with water / that burns faster and
more vigorously in oxygen gas is a more
reactive metal
• 3. A solution shows acidic property when the
blue litmus paper turns red
• 4. A solution shows bleaching property when
blue litmus paper turns white
 Operational Definition
• 5. The appearance of a brown solid shows the
formation of iron(III)chloride. (reaction when iron
powder is burnt in chlorine gas
• 6. An acidic oxide is an oxide that dissolves in
water to form a solution with pH less than 7 /
turns blue litmus red
• 7. An oxide shows basic property when it
dissolves in an acid
• 8. An oxide shows acidic property when it
dissolves in an alkali
 Operational Definition
• 9. An oxide that can dissolve in both acid and
alkali exhibits amphoteric properties
• 10. Differences in observation at the anode
indicate different types of products formed
(effect of different factors on the product of
elelctrolysis)
• 11. When an electric current is produced, the
voltmeter shows a reading (voltaic cell)
• 12. Metal displacement reaction occurs when
there is a deposition of metal or change of colour
of solution
 Operational Definition
• 13. The reading of the voltmeter is the potential
difference between two metals (voltaic cell)
• 14. If the dent is smaller, then the material is
harder. (experiment comparing the hardness of
metal /alloy)
• 15. The more the blue colour, the higher is the
rate of rusting. (experiment comparing the
rusting of iron and steel
 Operational Definition
• Examples :
• Chemistry Form 5
• 1. Smaller marble chips have a larger total
surface area than larger marble chips of the
same mass.
• 2. For the graph of the volume of gas released
against time, the curve with higher initial gradient
indicates a higher rate of reaction
• 3. Rate of reaction is inversely proportional to
the time taken for the mark ‘X’ to disappear from
sight.
 Operational Definition
• 4. The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is
fast if the wooden splinter rekindles brightly and
rapidly / The decomposition of hydrogen
peroxide is slow if the wooden splinter rekindles
dimly and slowly
• 5. If the minimum weight required for the rubber
strip to fail to return to its initial length is larger,
then the rubber strip is more elastic (experiment
comparing the elasticity of vulcanised /
unvulcanised rubber).
 Operational Definition
• 6. The ability of a cleaning agent to
remove oily stains on a cloth indicates that
the cleaning agent is effective

• (The above examples are adapted from Form 4 & 5 Chemistry textbooks & Pelangi
Reference book)