Physics Science Skills

Science skills

(QPCPAPC)
Questioning and predicting
Planning Investigations
Conducting investigations
Processing data and infomation
Analysising data and information
Problem solving
Communicating

Valid secondary source

PACCCS
Peer reviewed

Authority

Containing pertinent information

Credible - scientific journal

Current - recently publicated

Suitable for the target audience

Reliable secondary source

(CCFHH)
Cross reference with at least 2 other credible sources (not just repeated on other websites)
Concerned with the truth
Fair, balanced and objective
Having no conflict on interest
Having listed credible references and sources

APA referencing overall

Author (Surname first), year of publication, Title (edition), Place of publication, Publisher

APA referencing websites

Author's Name (date). Title of article, Retrieved - date, from internet address
or Title of article (date). Retrieved - date from internet access

EQUIPMENT LIST

All equipment and must be specific

SCIENTIFIC DIAGRAMS

use pencil, ruler,

2d and proportionally correct

label by drawing a straight line ) that touches the object and add name next to line.

make it a reasonable size – at least 6 - 8 cm.

VALIDITY defintion

An extent to which tests measure what was intended

variable

a factor that can be changed, maintained or measured

independent variable

A variable that is changed in an investigation to see what effect it has on the dependent variable.

dependent variable

A variable that changes in response to changes to the independent variable in an investigation.

controlled variable

A variable that is kept constant (or changed in constant ways) during an investigation.

Validity statement

“As we only changed the <independent variable> and measured the <dependent variable> whilst controlling all other variables such as <……………, ……………, etc> we ensured that we tested our aim of <…………………………..>. This meant that our experiment had high validity.

Hypothesis Statement

If the <independent variable> is <increased/decreased> then the <dependent variable>” will <increase/decrease>

Aim Statement

To determine the effect of <increasing/decreasing> the <independent variable> on the <dependent variable> for <whatever we are using to investigate this relationship>.

Risk Assessment

Hazard	Risk	Risk Minimisation
(this is the object or process that could cause us a problem)	(what could go wrong and cause us injury or damage)	(what action are you going to take to minimise the chance of this injury or damage occurring)

Reliability Statement

For each level of IV, we measured DV whilst keeping other variables constant, such as the [list controlled variables].

The DV results recorded for <IV> were compared until there were 3 consistent DV results for that measure of IV (any outliers were removed). Once 3 consistent times had been achieved, the IV was changed by [x units] and the process repeated until 3 more consistent DV results were achieved for the new measure of IV.

Once three consistent DV results were achieved for each level of IV that was tested, the DV were averaged.

This ensured high reliability of our measured data

Graphing Acrynym

CUTLASSDP
Cross
Units
Title

Lobf

Axis Labels

Scale
Size

Darken Axis
Pencil

Random error

Random errors are fluctuations (in either direction) in the measured data due to the limitations of the measurement device.

Systematic errors

cause the measurement always to differ from the actual value in the same way (i.e. the measurement is always larger, or always smaller, than the actual value).

What is a depth study?

Any type of investigation/activity that a student completes individually or in a group that allows the further development of one or more concepts found within the syllabus

Definition of a practical investigation

An investigation that involves systematic scientific inquiry by planning a course of action and using equipment to collect data and/or information

types of practical investigation

Laboratory or fieldwork

Primary data

data created by a person directly

parts of a scientific report

background information
hypothesis
aim
equipment list
risk assesment
method
results
discussion
conclusion
references

Reliability definition

An extent to which repeated observations and/or measurements taken under identical circumstances will yield similar results

SI unit for length

metre

SI unit for time

second

SI unit for mass

kilogram

Minimum changes to independent variable

5

Table Rules

External heading (MUST be in form of "the effect of {independent variable} on {dependent variable} for/of {whatever used to perform the experiment})
Fully ruled and enclosed
First column contains independent variable
Headings inside table should include units
Each row must be ruled
All data MUST contain same number of decimals (averages too)

Conclusion Meaning

1 or 2 sentences max that is a JUDGEMENT BASED ON EVIDENCE and summarises any experimental findings that refer back to the aim and hypothesis

Unit Prefixes

ignore deka, hecto, tera, deci, femto, atto

Types of errors

incomplete definition (systematic or random)
failure to account for a factor (systematic)
environmental factors (systematic or random)
instrument resolution (random)
calibration (systematic)
zero offset (systematic)
physical variation (random)
parallax (systematic or random)
instrument drift (systematic)
lag time (systematic)
personal errors (should always be, and are assumed to have been avoided and are excluded error analysis discussion unless specifically asked for/mentioned by the question)

Uncertainty for analogue devices

= ±1/2 x limit of reading

Uncertainty for digital devices

= ± smallest increment

Error when averaging a set of data for the same reading

= ± maximum difference from the mean

Title for a graph(Vs)

DV(y-axis) vs. IV(x-axis) for/of whatever used to perform the experiment

Δ (delta)

Change in ...

Percentage error

= (| experimental value - known value | / known value) x 100

Estimating uncertainty special conditions

if the device used to measure (e.g. stopwatch, uncertainty of ±0.01s) must be stopped and started then the uncertainty must be doubled (now ±0.02s)

Relationship of a line graph rising up in a straight line

Positive directly proportional relationship between variable A and variable B
A = kB (k is constant equal to gradient)

Relationship of a line graph rising up in a straight line from a height

Positive directly proportional relationship between variable A and variable B
A = kB + c (c is y intercept)

Relationship of a line graph declining from the left

Negative directly proportional relationship between variable A and variable B
A = -kB + c (k is negative)

Relationship of a line graph moving from left to right

variable A is independent to variable B
A = constant

linearising data

data can be linearised by the following formulas
A = kB^2
A = kB^1/2
A = kB^-1
A = kB^-2
you must be able to recognise the shapes correlating to these formulas to consistently linearise data

investigation definition

A scientific process of answering a question, exploring and idea or solving a problem, which requires activities such as planning a course of action, collecting data, interpreting data, reaching a conclusion, and communicating these activities. Investigations can include practical and/or secondary sourced data or information.

Law Definition

a statement describing invariable relationships between phenomena in specified conditions, frequently expressed mathematically

model definition

A representation that describes, simplifies, clarifies, or provides an explanation for the workings, structure or relationships within an object, system or idea

plan definition

decide on a course of action and make arrangements relating to that course of action in advance

qualitative definition

relating to, measuring, or measured by the quality of something rather than its quantity.

Quantitative Definition

relating to, measuring, or measured by the quantity of something rather than its quality.

secondary sourced investigation definition

an investigation that involves systematic scientific inquiry by planning a course of action and sourcing data and/or information from other people

Technology Definition

all types of human-made systems, tools, machines and processes that can help solve human problems or satisfy needs or want

Theory definition

A set of concepts, claims and/or laws that can be used to explain and predict a wide range of related observed phenomena. theories are typically founded on clearly identified assumptions, are testable, produce reproducible results and have explanatory power.

Method vs procedure

method is past tense (what was done)

procedure is present tense (what has to be done)

Justification of Procedure/Method

you are expected to be able to justify the procedure used in a first-hand investigation by making a clear link between the expected results and action