Science 10

BC Science 10 Unit 3 Ch. 8

What is Velocity? Design an Investigation

Purpose: Apply your knowledge of motion to design and conduct an experiment to measure the average
velocity of an object with nearly uniform motion.
Key Concept: Relationships
Related Concepts(s): Movement and Form
Statement of Inquiry: Moving objects can be analyzed to determine the relationship between their orientation in space
and time
Global Context: Orientation in Space and Time
Task Description: Design and conduct an experiment to measure the average velocity of an object with nearly uniform
motion.

Criteria:
Design, describe and explain a procedure that will allow you to determine the average velocity of your
chosen object.
Your analysis must include a data table, position time graph, and calculations
Division of work:
Design and perform the lab with a partner. The formal lab report must be completed independently. Evidence
of this will be presented through your individual conclusion and evaluation.
Design and Conduct:
1. Choose an object that displays relatively uniform motion
2. Write down your procedure for determining the objects average velocity and reasons for choosing your
procedure. This will be your proposal. Your proposal must be checked and signed by your teacher to
confirm that the procedure is safe and accurate before performing your experiment.
3. Collect your materials and record them for your formal lab reports
4. Collect, record and present data in a titled data table
5. Analyze your observations and use a position-time graph to interpret your data
Refer to: King George Lab Report Guidelines handout for lab report format
Evaluate:
1. What is the average velocity of your object? Show how you obtained your answer.
2. Was the objects motion perfectly uniform? Use your graph to justify your answer.
3. Describe any changes you would make to your procedure in order to improve your accuracy.

Command Terms for Sciences

Analyse - Break down in order to bring out the essential elements or structure. To identify parts and relationships, and to
interpret information to reach conclusions.
Apply - Use knowledge and understanding in response to a given situation or real circumstances
Describe - Give a detailed account or picture of a situation, event, pattern or process
Design - Produce a plan, simulation or model
Discuss - Offer a considered and balanced review that includes a range of arguments, factors or hypotheses. Opinions or
conclusions should be presented clearly and supported by appropriate evidence
Document - Credit sources of information used by referencing (or citing), following one recognized referencing system.
References should be included in the text and also at the end of the piece of work in a reference list or bibliography
Evaluate - Make an appraisal by weighing up the strengths and limitations
Explain - Give a detailed account
Formulate - Express precisely and systematically the relevant concept(s) or argument(s)
Interpret - Use knowledge and understanding to recognize trends and draw conclusions from given information
Outline - Give a brief account
Present - Offer for display, observation, examination or consideration
Recall - Remember or recognize from prior learning experiences
Select - Choose from a list or group
Solve - Obtain the answer(s) using appropriate methods
State - Give a specific name, value or other brief answer without explanation or calculation
Suggest - Propose a solution, hypothesis or other possible answer
Summarize - Abstract a general theme or major point(s)

Key Concept: Relationships

Related Concepts(s): Movement and Form
Statement of Inquiry: Moving objects can be analyzed to determine the relationship between their orientation in space
and time
Global Context: Orientation in Space and Time
Task Description: Design and conduct an experiment to measure the average velocity of an object with nearly uniform
motion.

Formal Lab Report Guidelines (Year 5)

ALWAYS:

Begin on a new sheet of lined paper and write in blue or black ink (graphs can be in pencil)

Report is neat and legible (can be typed), report must have a title, your name and block at the top of the page

Sections have clear subtitles, subtitles are underlined, sections are in order
QUESTION/PURPOSE:

What is the problem you are trying to solve in the lab? What are you going to do? What do you hope to find?
Here is where you give a detailed account, with scientific reasoning about what you will be doing.
8-7

6-5

explain the purpose or

question I will investigate
through my experiment

describe the purpose or

question I will investigate
through my experiment

4-3

2-1

outline the purpose or

question I will investigate
through my experiment

state the purpose or

question I will investigate
through my experiment

0
Not met any
of the
descriptors
listed

HYPOTHESIS:
This is an informed prediction of what you think will happen in the experiment. You need a brief description of the scientific theory and
reasoning that supports your guess. This is where you can discuss what you already know about the question. Can be written in an
Ifthenbecause statement.
8-7
6-5
4-3
2-1
0
Not met any
formulate and explain a
formulate and explain a
formulate a testable
outline a testable
of the
testable hypothesis using
testable hypothesis using
hypothesis using physics
hypothesis
descriptors
correct physics terms and
physics terms and ifthen terms and ifthen
listed
ifthen statements.
statements.
statements.
PROCEDURE and MATERIALS:

A numbered point form list of all the steps you will take to complete the lab.

You must include all safety notes.

Be sure to include how you will be manipulating (changing and controlling) your variables and how you will get reliable data
(i.e. repeat 3 times)
8-7

6-5

4-3

2-1

design a logical, complete and

safe method to test my
hypothesis. Select appropriate
materials and equipment, and
explain how sufficient relevant
data will be collected

design a complete and safe

method to test my hypothesis.
Select appropriate materials and
equipment, and describe how
sufficient relevant data will be
collected

design a safe method to

test my hypothesis. Select
materials and
equipment, and outline
how sufficient relevant
data will be collected

design a
method,
with limited
success

0
Not met
any of the
descriptors
listed

VARIABLES:
You need to explain what each of the following are and how you will manipulate each of them:

What is the independent variable (this is the one that you decide how you will change it before the lab)

What is the dependent variable (this is what you measure during the lab)

What are the constant variables? (these are the factors that need to be kept the same)

What is your control? (Some experiments will not have a control. If possible a control is a trial where you do no treatment)
8-7

explain how to manipulate

variables,

6-5

describe how to
manipulate variables,

4-3

outline how to
manipulate variables,

2-1

outline how to
manipulate variables,

0
Not met any of the
descriptors listed

RESULTS:

Record you lab results in a table (draw using a ruler and in pen, include correct units)

Qualitative observations should also be recorded underneath your table

Diagrams are to be drawn in pencil

If possible you need to draw a graph (graph must be on graph paper, use a ruler for the axis and label them including units,
choose a title that describes the graph, data points are clear and draw a best-fit-line)
8-7

6-5

correctly collect, organize,

transform and present
numerical data and graphs

correctly collect, organize

and present numerical
data and graphs

4-3

correctly collect and

present numerical data
and graphs

2-1

collect and
present numerical
data and graphs

0
Not met any
of the
descriptors
listed

ANALYSIS:
This is where you explain what you found. Describe any trends or patterns in your data. Describe what your graph shows. Use
scientific reasoning to explain what you observed.
8-7
6-5
4-3
2-1
0
Not met any
accurately interpret data
accurately interpret data
accurately interpret data
accurately
of the
and explain results using
and explain results using
and explain results
interpret data
descriptors
correct scientific
scientific reasoning
listed
reasoning
CONCLUSION:
Summarize your results and comment on your hypothesis. Validity refers to the success of your method at measuring what you set out
to measure. Was it a fair test?
8-7
6-5
4-3
2-1
0
evaluate the validity of a
discuss the validity of a
outline the validity of a
state the validity of a Not met any
hypothesis based on the
hypothesis based on the
hypothesis based on the
hypothesis based on of the
outcome of a scientific
outcome of a scientific
outcome of a scientific
the outcome of a
descriptors
investigation
investigation
investigation
scientific
listed
investigation
EVALUATION:

Decide if the results of the experiment are reasonable, can you explain any results that do not seem to fit

Reliability refers to whether you got the same answer in each of your trials. A reliable experiment is repeatable with the same
outcome

Suggest ways to improve the procedure, what would you change if you were to do it over to get better results?

Suggest other experiments that would allow you to learn more about the experiment you just finished
6-5

4-3

2-1

evaluate the validity of the

method based on the
outcome of my experiment

8-7

discuss the validity of the

method based on the
outcome of my experiment

explain improvements or
extensions to the method
that would improve my
experiment

describe improvements or
extensions to the method
that would improve my
experiment

outline the validity of the

method based on the
outcome of my
experiment
outline improvements or
extensions to the method
that would improve my
experiment

state the validity of

the method with
limited reference
to my experiment
state limited
improvements or
extensions to the
method.

0
Not met any
of the
descriptors
listed
Not met any
of the
descriptors
listed