SMK TAT BENG

PHYSICS
FORM 4

1.5 Scientific Investigations

 A The Scientific Method
Identifying the problem

Suggesting a hypothesis

Identifying the variables

Carrying out an experiment

Collecting data / observations

Make a report Analysing and interpretating data

Scientific theory Hypothesis is

Forming a conclusion
Is formed rejected

Results support hypothesis Results do not support hypothesis

 To study the relationship between the length and the period
of oscillation of a simple pendulum (SPM2004)
Problem
Does the period of oscillation of a simple pendulum depend
on its length?

Inference
The period of oscillation of a simple pendulum depends on its
length.

Hypothesis
The longer the pendulum, the longer the period of oscillation
is.

Plan the experiment

 To study the relationship between the length and the period
of oscillation of a simple pendulum (SPM2004)
Variables
Manipulated: The length of the pendulum, i.e. the length of the
string tied to the pendulum
Responding: The period of oscillation, measured with a
stopwatch
Fixed: The mass, the amplitude of oscillation and the type of
pendulum

Operational Definition
The period is the time taken for the pendulum to complete one
oscillation.
The length of the pendulum refers to the length of the string
tied to the pendulum.
 To study the relationship between the length and the period
of oscillation of a simple pendulum (SPM2004)
Apparatus and Materials
String, pendulum bob, metre rule, stopwatch, retort stand. two
wooden pieces and protractor

Procedure
Suspend a pendulum of length, / = 30 cm, from a retort stand
as shown in Figure below.
 To study the relationship between the length and the period
of oscillation of a simple pendulum (SPM2004)

Procedure (continue…)
Displace the pendulum by a small angle (about 10°) and then
release it.
The time taken for 20 oscillations is measured using a
stopwatch.
The period of oscillation can be determined by Time for 20
oscillations / 20
Repeat steps (2) to (4) to obtain two sets of readings for l = 30
cm.
Repeat the experiment for l = 40.0 cm, / = 50.0 cm, / = 60.0
cm, l = 70.0 cm and l = 80.0 cm.
The same pendulum is used. The displacement (amplitude of
oscillation) of the pendulum is fixed for all values of l
 To study the relationship between the length and the period
of oscillation of a simple pendulum (SPM2004)

Results Collecting data / observations

Length of Time take for 20 complete Period, T =

pendulum, l oscillations t/20 (s)
(cm) t1 (s) t2 (s) Average
(s)
30.0 22.0 22.0 22.0 1.10
40.0 25.0 25.2 25.1 1.26
50.0 28.3 28.5 28.4 1.42
60.0 31.4 31.4 31.4 1.57
70.0 33.9 33.7 33.8 1.69
80.0 35.8 35.8 35.8 1.79
To study the relationship between the length and the period
of oscillation of a simple pendulum (SPM2004)
 To study the relationship between the length and the period
of oscillation of a simple pendulum (SPM2004)

Analysing and interpretating data

The graph obtained is a curve. The values of T2 and l are

tabulated below.

l / cm T/s T2 / s2
30.0 1.10 1.21
40.0 1.26 1.59
50.0 1.42 2.02
60.0 1.57 2.46
70.0 1.69 2.86
80.0 1.79 3.20
 To study the relationship between the length and the period
of oscillation of a simple pendulum (SPM2004)

A graph of T2 against / is plotted.

Conclusion
T2 l. The square of the period is directly proportional to the
length of the pendulum.
Hypothesis is proved to be true.
Explanation of a Scientific Investigation Operation

Make inference
 An inference is an early conclusion based on observation
before a study is made.
 A question arises from an observation and a possible
inference is made.
 The inference made is a reasonable possible conclusion,
which may or may not be true.

State the purpose

 Every study must have a purpose.
 The purpose gives direction so that the steps of an
experiment carried out will not deviate from the objective.
Explanation of a Scientific Investigation Operation

Formulate a hypothesis
 Before a scientific experiment is carried out, there must a
guess.
 The experiment is then carried out to prove whether or not
the guess is true.
 The guess is known as a hypothesis.
 We can make different hypotheses as long as they fulfill the
request of our purpose and problem.
 A hypothesis formulated should state the relationship
between the manipulated variable and the responding
variable.
 A hypothesis must be brief, clear, and able to be tested.
Explanation of a Scientific Investigation Operation
Formulate a hypothesis (Example)
The purpose of an experiment is to study the relationship
between the length of a pendulum and its period of oscillation.
Determine a possible hypothesis.

Solution
(a) The longer the pendulum, the longer the period of
oscillation is.
(b) The longer the pendulum, the shorter the period of
oscillation is.
(c) The period of oscillation does not depend on the length of
the pendulum.

We will know which hypothesis is true only after an experiment

has been carried out. If we choose (b) or (c) as a hypothesis,
we must reject the hypothesis when we are drawing a
conclusion.
Explanation of a Scientific Investigation Operation
Identify the Variables
Manipulated Variable
 A manipulated variable is also known as an independent or
free variable.
 The manipulated variable usually can be determined before
an experiment. For example, the length of a pendulum is
determined before the oscillation.
 A manipulated variable usually has a value which increases
uniformly. For example, the length of a pendulum is 30.0
cm, 40.0 cm, 50.0 cm and 60.0 cm as the experiment
proceeds.
 Before the experiment, we can manipulate the length of the
pendulum to 30.0 cm, 40.0 cm, 50.0 cm and 60.0 cm.
 In the study of a simple pendulum, we can control directly or
manipulate the length of the pendulum.
Explanation of a Scientific Investigation Operation
Identify the Variables
Responding Variable
 A responding variable is also known as a dependent
variable.
 A responding variable is the variable that depends on the
manipulated variable.
 The value of the responding variable can only be obtained
after the experiment is carried out. For example, the period
of oscillation can only he known after the experiment is
carried out.
 The period of oscillation "responds" to the length of the
pendulum (the manipulated variable).
Explanation of a Scientific Investigation Operation
Identify the Variables
Fixed (controlled) Variable
 The fixed variables are the other fixed physical quantities
which do not change throughout the experiment.

Operational Definition
 An operational definition refers to a method to determine a
variable (physical quantity).
 An operational definition is also a definition for a variable.

Table of Data
 Data is tabulated so that it is presented systematically and
neatly.
Explanation of a Scientific Investigation Operation
Table of Data
 Usually, the values of the manipulated variable are tabulated
in the first column and the values of the responding variable
are tabulated in the second column which may be divided
into a few columns.
 The name of the variable, symbol and unit has to be written
at the top of each row.
 All the readings must be consistent in the number of decimal
places. For example, readings of length (in cm) such as
20.1, 30, 51.22 are inconsistent readings.
 Usually all the values recorded are according to the
sensitivity of the instrument. That is why the number of
decimal places is consistent for all the values.
 At least five sets of readings arc needed for every table.
Explanation of a Scientific Investigation Operation
Table of Data (An example of a good table)
All numerical value in every
Manipulated variable column must have the same
Responding variable
in the first column number of significant figures
in the following column
of decimal place

Length of Time take for 20 complete Period, T = t/20

pendulum, l (cm) oscillations (s)
t1 (s) t2 (s) Average
(s)
30.0 22.0 22.0 22.0 1.10
Unit is 40.0 25.0 25.2 25.1 1.26
written 50.0 28.3 28.5 28.4 1.42
60.0 31.4 31.4 31.4 1.57
70.0 33.9 33.7 33.8 1.69
80.0 35.8 35.8 35.8 1.79

A metre measures a quantity up to the accuracy of 0.1cm

Explanation of a Scientific Investigation Operation
Graph Drawing
 A graphical method is used to analyse the results of an
experiment.
 A graph shows the relationship between two physical
quantities. For example, the relationship between the
length of a pendulum and the period of oscillation.

Determination of the axes:-

 The x-axis represents the manipulated variable.
 The y-axis represents the responding variable.
 The variables and units must be labelled on the x-axis and
v-axis.
Explanation of a Scientific Investigation Operation
Graph Drawing
Scale of the graph
 Use a scale which can be read easily. For example,
2 cm represent 1 unit
2 cm represent 2 units
2 cm represent 5 units
2 cm represent a multiplication of 5 units
 Avoid using an odd scale such as:
1 cm : 7 units
1 cm : 3 units
This will cause difficulty in taking readings.
Explanation of a Scientific Investigation Operation
Graph Drawing
Plotting the readings
 Readings should he plotted with a sharp pencil.
 Usually a cross (X) is used to plot the points of a graph.
 At least five points are needed to plot a graph.
 A good graph should cover two-thirds of the whole space.

Joining the points to form a line

A good line should...
 pass through most of the plotted points.
 have almost the same number of points above and below
it.
 be sharp and smooth.
 pass through any of the axes.
Explanation of a Scientific Investigation Operation
Graph Drawing
Title of the graph
The title of the graph should be written on the top of the graph
in the form of:
 A graph of (the responding variable) against (the
manipulated yariable).
 For example, a graph of temperature against time.
 Writing a Report
 Aim
 Variables
 Operational Definition
 Hypothesis
 Apparatus
 Experimental procedures
 Result
 Graph
 Discussion
 Conclusion