NSSCAS Physics Revision Notes

TOPIC 1: SCIENTIFIC PROCESSES

1.2.1 PLANNING AND CONDUCTING INVESTIGATIONS

Planning an Experiment

• Good experimental design includes:

o Preliminary research on a particular theory or hypothesis
o Choosing the appropriate apparatus
o Using the correct techniques
o Identifying variables that affect the experiment
o Finding the best way to control other variables
o Recording and collecting data accurately
o Processing and presenting data in a useful way

Identifying Apparatus

• An apparatus is the equipment needed to carry out the experiment

• The choice of apparatus should be based on the experiment that you’re
investigating
o Each experiment will have its own unique set of apparatus
• Common apparatus include:
o Stopwatches - to measure time
o Metre rulers - to measure distance and length
o Balances - to measure mass
o Protractors - to measure angles
o Stopwatches - to measure time
o Ammeters - to measure current
o Voltmeters - to measure potential difference
• More complicated instruments such as the micrometer screw gauge and
Vernier calipers can be used to measure length more accurately

Health & Safety

• All experiments must be carried out safely to protect the scientists from
injury and the equipment from damage
• There are some common health and safety precautions in practicals

• When working with masses, wires or springs:

o Wear safety goggles when required (e.g., when using wires, in case
it snaps)
o A support stand should be weighted or clamped to prevent it falling
over (commonly with a G clamp)
o Do not overload springs with masses so they stretch past their
elastic limit or break when oscillating
o Provide a soft surface, such as a cushion, underneath anything
falling (such as a ball bearing when calculating g), to protect
surfaces

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 NSSCAS Physics Revision Notes
TOPIC 1: SCIENTIFIC PROCESSES

1.2.1 PLANNING AND CONDUCTING INVESTIGATIONS cont…

• When using electrical circuits:

o Don't have liquids kept around the apparatus, as these could spill
and cause a fire
o Turn off the power supply in between readings so the components,
especially thin wires, don't become too hot. This could cause a burn
or affect the results of the experiment from the change in
temperature affecting resistance
o Do not exceed the voltage rating for all the appliances in the circuit

• General lab health and safety practice includes:

o Always keeping bags and chairs tucked away under desks to avoid
someone tripping over in the classroom
o Stand up for the duration of the experiment, in case something goes
wrong with a piece of apparatus and need to react quickly
o Don't eat and drink when conducting experiments
o Wear comfortable clothing and a lab coat when necessary
o Long hair to be tied back
o Spills can cause slips, mop this up
o Do not leave an experiment, or piece of apparatus, unsupervised
(especially Bunsen burners)
o Let hot glass cool down, or wear gloves when handling (e.g., for
investigating specific heat capacity)
o Let a supervisor know about any spills or problems with equipment
as soon as possible

Types of Variables

• In an experiment, a variable is any factor that could change or be changed

• There are different types of variables within an experiment
o The independent variable: the only variable that should be changed
throughout an experiment
o The dependent variable: the variable that is measured to determine
the outcome of an experiment (the results)
o The controlled variables: any other variables that may affect the
results of the experiment that need to be controlled or monitored

• It is essential that any variable that may affect the outcome of an

experiment is controlled in order for the results to be valid and to have a fair
test
o A fair test is one in which only the independent variable has been
allowed to affect the dependent variable
• Preliminary research and preliminary studies can be used to identify
variables within an experiment and to determine ways of controlling these
variables effectively
o The science surrounding the issue / problem being investigated is
likely to contain information about different factors or variables that
may exist

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 NSSCAS Physics Revision Notes
TOPIC 1: SCIENTIFIC PROCESSES

1.2.1 PLANNING AND CONDUCTING INVESTIGATIONS cont…

• A common control variable in circuits is temperature

o The temperature of a wire or electrical component increases as
current goes through for a long period of time (think of a laptop
charger)
o Therefore, to keep temperature (the control variable) constant, it is
common to cool down components between readings

Worked example: Identifying Variables

A learner carries out an experiment to measure how temperature affect the

rate of evaporation of water in a beaker.
List the independent variable, dependent variable and the control variable in
this experiment.

YOUR ANSWER:

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EXAM TIP

• When answering practical questions, try and use scientific terms where
possible. For example, avoid saying 'amount' of water and instead say
'volume', as this is technically the variable that you can measure in a
beaker.

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