Scientific investigation

1. Scientific investigations and experiments are carried out to test various hypotheses .
2. 3 important components in scientific investigation
a. Scientific skills ( scientific process skills and manipulative skills )
b. Scientific method which involves sytstematic experiments / activity to solve problems
c. Scientific sttitudes and noble values to ensure the validity of the results .

Scientific process skills

1. the ability to formulate questions and find out the answers systematically

Manipulative skills
1. skills to conduct and carry out experiments or projects

Scientific method
1. a systematic method used by scientists in their investigations , which involves a
sequence of well planned steps ( write the steps in your note book , in the form of flow
chart )

A GUIDED EXAMPLE

AIM : To study the relationship between the temperature of water and the mass of salt
dissolved in the water .
To study the effect of temperature on the solubility of a salt .
Problem statement : Does more salt dissolve in hotter water ?
What is the effect of temperature rise on the solubility of copper (II) sulphate ,
CuSO4 in water ?
Hypothesis : In an equal volume of water , the higher the temperature of water , the greater is
the mass of copper (II) sulphate that can dissolve in water

The higher the temperature , the greater the mass of copper(II) sulphate that can
dissolve in water .
Variables Manipulated : temperature of water
Responding : mass of salt dissolved in water
Fixed / constant : volume of water
Apparatus : 100 cm3 beaker , 50 cm3 cylinder , thermometer , electronic balance , spatula ,
glass rod , wire gauze , tripod stand , Bunsen Burner
Materials : 300 g Copper(II) sulphate , CuSO4 , 250cm 3 distilled water
Procedure : 1. Place approximately 100g of copper(II) saulphate in a beaker . Weigh the
mass of the beaker together with the salt using a balance and record it as the
initial mass .
2. measure 50cm3 of distilled water and pou it into another beaker
3. measure and record the temperature of water in the beaker
4. using a spatula, scoop a little copper(II) sulphate at a time into the beaker
.Use a glass rod to stir the mixture .
5. Continue to add copper sulphate crystals to the distilled water and stir to
dissolve the salt until a little of it remains undissolved ( sink to the bottom of
the beaker )
 6. weigh the beaker and its content and record its final mass .
7. repeat steps 1 to 6 using 50cm3 of distilled water at 400C , 500C , 600C and
700C .
Results

Experiment 1 2 3 4 5
Temperature/0C 30 40 50 60 70

Initial mass (g) X1 X2 X3 X4 X5

Final mass (g) Y1 Y2 Y3 Y4 Y5
Mass of
copper(II) X1 – Y1 = Z1
sulphate
dissolved (g)

Or

Temperature of water Initial mass (g) Final mass (g) Mass of salt dissolved in
(0C) 50cm3 of water (g)
30.0 97.40 89.07 8.33
40.0 89.07 80.43 8.64
50.0 80.43 71.59 8.84
60.0 71.59 62.51 9.08
70.0 62.51 53.11 9.40

Discussion
Plot a graph of mass of copper(II) sulphate against the temperature of water .

Mass of copper(II) sulphate

(g)

Temperature of water (00C)

Based on the graph , the solubility of copper(II) saulphate in water increases with the rise of temperature .
The hypothesis is accepted .