Revision: Skills, Tables and Graphs

REVISION OF SCIENCE SKILLS

Important Science Terms

Identify or State: Give a name or basic statement. Identify the three states of matter.

Describe: Provide features – but do not explain them. Describe the nucleus of an atom.
Describe the relationship shown in the graph

Explain: Relate cause and effect. Explain why a liquid can take on the shape of its
container.

Discuss: Identify issues and provide points for and against. Discuss the benefits and
limitations of using fossil fuels in modern society.

Analyse: Identify points and the relationships between them. Analyse the relationship
between cigarette smoking and the incidence of lung cancer.

Justify: Support and argument or conclusion. Justify why most modern scientists work
in groups to investigate radioactive elements.

Evaluate: Make a value judgement. Usually involves giving a conclusion of your views.
Evaluate the contribution of burning fossil fuels to climate change.

Fair test : when only one variable at a time is changed to see more clearly the effect.

e.g a fair test is set up to see if adding sugar to cut flowers in water will effect the
life of the flower.

independent the variable that is changed or the amount of sugar added

variable manipulated, often the cause.
Dependent the measured effect, it changes in time flower appears fresh
variable response to the independent variable.
Controlled The factors that are kept the same for same flower type, same number in
variables the series of experiments. each trial, same temp, same room
conditions, same volume of water
Control An experiment that runs at the same time cut flowers in water with no added
and with the same constant conditions as sugar
the real experiment, except there is no
independent variable (the factor being
investigated).
Term Definition Example
Column graph a graph consisting of vertical columns
indicating the value of each quantity.
Used for discrete variables.
Variables Factors or quantities that can change
Flammable easily catches on fire.
Independent the variable being set at the start,
variable changed by the experimenter, acting as
the cause.
Inference an educated guess based on observations.
Inert Does not react
Inhale to breathe in deeply, taking gas into the
lungs.
Line graph a graph that has a line of best fit drawn.
Used for continuously varying quantities.
The graph could make a line or smooth
curve.
Line of Best Fit a line drawn on a graph that passes as
close to as many points as possible; with
as many other points above the line as
below.
Meniscus the curved surface of a liquid.

Observation result obtained using the five senses:

sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste.
Parallax error An error that occurs when a scale is
measured from a direction other than
straight on.
Pie chart A circular graph that indicates the
component breakdown of a quantity.
Used when 100% of the components are
known.
Range the span of value on the dependent axis
(vertical or y-axis).
Waft to gently move a region of gas towards
the nose.
Scientific Experiments:
Term Definition
Hypothesis A guess about the predicted results of the experiment, taking the form
‘increasing x will produce increase/decrease in y”.
Aim the specific purpose of the experiment. Usually begins with “To
investigate…”
Apparatus or All items of laboratory equipment, chemicals, specimens and other
Equipment materials used in the experiment are listed. Concentrations of solutions
should be specified.
Method Numbered steps for carrying out a procedure or experiment. Should
allow the experiment to be accurately repeated.
Can be a diagram. All known variables must be carefully controlled to
make the method valid.
Validity Measure of how well the procedures are controlled and the objectivity
of the observations. Valid results can only be obtained if the
appropriate variables are controlled
Accuracy Measure of how close the results are to expected values, and how much
uncertainty or “roughness” there is in the measured values.
Reliability Is a measure of how repeatable the results are. If similar results are
observed for may repetitions, the results are reliable.
Table Used to record raw data. Should be ruled, have a title, column headings
and the scientific units for each column.
Results Observations about what occurred. Use a ruled table to show these.
Table and/or graph should be used.
Qualitative A description of your observations. Arrange these into a table if
(results) possible.
Quantitative Numerical measurements in a table with a heading. If possible readings
(results) of a quantity should be taken then averaged.
Discussion A summary and analysis of data collected. Analysis includes trends,
patterns and relationships in the results. May also explain unexpected
results. Weaknesses can be mentioned, as well as improvements.
Conclusion A short statement relating the results to the aim. If a hypothesis has
been stated, the conclusion should also state if the hypothesis is
accepted or rejected.
Q1. A student carried out an experiment to see how the temperature changes when
lemonade is heated to boiling, using standard equipment. They recorded the
temperature every minute.

At the beginning the temp was 20°C. The following temperatures were measured each
minute after; 22°C, 30°C, 44°C, 58°C, 74°C, 89°C, 102°C , 102°C

(a) Write a suitable aim.

(b) List the equipment necessary here.

(c) Write a suitable method

(d) Draw a scientific diagram with the necessary equipment.

(e) Write out two safety rules that need to be followed here.

(f) Construct a results table with the data.

(g) Use the data to graph the results.

(h) Write a conclusion.

(i) Write a discussion involving the problems that may have occurred during measuring,
and how to improve the results here.

Q2. A student sets up a fair test to investigate the effect of salt on the growth of corn
plants. They add no salt to the first plant, 10g to the second, 20 g to the third and 30 g
to the fourth. They measure the height of the plants at the beginning and then every
day for 4 days.
(a) What is the independent variable here?

(b) What is the dependent variable here?

(c) Which is the control here?

(d) Write out the controlled variables here.

(e) Write out a possible results table with appropriate headings.

Q3. A Year 8 student wanted to examine the importance of water for plants. She
planted three bean seeds in 5 cups filled with soil. An outline of her set up is written
below. She waited a week and measured the height of each bean plants.

Cup 1 soil and beans only

Cup 2 soil, beans and 10mL water every second day
Cup 3 soil, beans and 15mL water every second day
Cup 4 soil, beans and 20mL water every second day
Cup 5 soil, beans and 25mL water every second day

(a) Write a suitable aim for this experiment.

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(2 mark
(a) Design a table the student could use for this experiment in the space below.

(c) Identify the independent variable _________________________________ 1

(3 marks)(c
(d) Identify the dependent variable ___________________________________ 1

(e) A student set up Cup 1 with soil and beans only. Propose a reason for this

(2 marks

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(f) Identify two controlled variables here and describe how each is controlled.

(2 marks

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(g) Identify two instruments that are needed for measurement. Justify your answer.

(2 marks

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Q4. A science teacher investigated how the drop height of a tennis ball affects the
bounce height.
The science teacher measured the bounce height with a ruler and recorded the data in
the table below. The experiment was repeated three times

(a) Calculate the average bounce height and record the values in the table below.

Drop Height Bounce Height (cm)

(cm)
Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 3 Average
20 1.0 0.9 1.1
30 2.1 3.0 1.0
40 2.5 2.3 2.4
50 3.8 4.0 4.0
60 5.0 5.0 5.1
70 5.8 5.7 5.9

(b) Plot the drop height of the ball and the bounce height. Draw a line/curve of best fit.
4

(c) Use your graph to predict the bounce height when the ball is dropped at 90 cm
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(d) In the box below make a labelled scientific drawing of the experimental set up the
science teacher could have used to test the bound height with different surfaces.

(2
(e) Write out a suitable method for carrying out this experiment.

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

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(f) Comment on the reliability of the results recorded in this experiment.

____________________________________________________________________________

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(2 marks)
(g) State the relationship between drop height and bounce height.
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(h) What are two ways of improving the accuracy of the results here?
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(2 marks)
Q5. A student measured the tadpole population in a number of
different ponds, as well as the pH of the water in the ponds.

pH of water Number of
tadpoles
8.0 45
7.0 78
6.0 43
7.5 69
6.5 88
5.5 23

(a) Make a column graph from the data.

(b) Why is a column graph more appropriate than a line graph here?

(c) What is the dependent variable?

 (d) What is the independent variable?

(e) What is the average number of tadpoles collected per sample?

(f) What is the optimum water pH for tadpole development?

(g) Between what two pH readings is there the greatest change in tadpole number?

(h) How many tadpoles would we expect to find in water with a pH reading of 5.0?

FURTHER ACTIVITIES.
The following questions are from Science World 8 Ch 2 pg 34

The following questions are from Science World 8 Ch 2 pg 44 and 45

Revision: Constructing Tables and Graphs 2

Two students measured the height of pea plants each day for 7
days. The height was measured using a ruler as shown in Figure 1
below.

Figure 1: Measuring the height of pea plants using a ruler.

Their results are shown below.

Day 1, height of pea plant 5mm, at Day 2, height of pea plant

10 mm, at Day 3, height of pea plant 13 mm, at Day 4, height
of pea plant
17 mm, at Day 5, height of pea plant 23 mm, at Day 6, height
of pea plant 24 mm, and Day 7, height of pea plant 26 mm.

1. Write a suitable aim for this experiment.

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

2. Design a table and record your observations in the space below

(3 marks)
3. a) Identify the independent variable _________________________________

b) Identify the dependent variable ___________________________________

4. Comment on the reliability of the results recorded in this experiment.

____________________________________________________________________________

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5. On the graph paper below draw a line graph of the results.

6. Use your graph to predict the height of a pea plant on Day 9.

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7. In the box below make a labeled scientific drawing of the experimental set up.

8. Write a conclusion for the experiment.

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