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Physical Sciences
Skills booklet
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UNIT 1: SKILLS

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW and BE ABLE TO DO…

UNIT 1 SKILLS
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

When working in a Science classroom:

1.
• Work carefully with the apparatus.
• Follow instructions.
• Wear protective clothing.
• Behave in an appropriate manner.
• Clean up after yourself.
• Never eat or drink anything in the classroom.
• Know where the First aid is.
EXPERIMENTATION

Scientific method:
2.
1. Question / problem / observation:
 That which the experiment aims to solve or to answer.
2. Aim:
 States the purpose of the experiment. (Like a topic sentence in an
essay.)
 In the form: “To determine…” or “To investigate…”.
3. Hypothesis:
 An educated guess.
 It is your prediction as to what the outcome of the experiment will be.
 In the form: “If… , then ….”
4. List of apparatus:
 List of all tools used in experiment.
5. List of materials:
 List of all chemicals, etc. (perishables) used in experiment.
6. Method:
 Step-by-step, numbered instructions detailing what to do.
 Use specific amounts, e.g. 30mL.
 Do not use “I”.
7. Data collected and observations:
 Write down anything you may have observed in the experiment.
 Tabulate data.
 Display data graphically.
8. Conclusion:
 Using your data gathered, answer the problem / question.
 Must be based on hypothesis.
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Independent variable:
− The one element being manipulated or controlled by you.
− There is only one of these in a valid experiment.
Dependent variable:
− The observed result (what changes when the independent variable
changes).
− What you measure.
− There is only one of these in a valid experiment.
Controlled / fixed variables:
− An element that is not changed throughout an experiment.
− Kept constant to ensure valid results.
− Can be many in an experiment.
TABULATING DATA

Types of units that are used in Science:

3.1
• metre (m) the basic unit of length.
• litre (L)/(cm3)/(ml) the basic unit of volume.
• kilogram (kg) the basic unit of mass.
• degree Celsius (°C) the basic unit of temperature.

3.2 The rules for constructing a Scientific table:

• An underlined heading (A table showing…), both variables should be
described in the heading.
• Use a ruler and a pencil to draw the table.
• Independent variable on the LEFT.
• Dependent variable on the RIGHT.
• Columns and rows must be labelled.
• Units in column heading only.
• The unit should be written in brackets/parentheses.
• Border and lines between results/facts.
• Comparisons must be next to each other.
• Make sure you use the same number of decimal places in each column
and/or row.
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GRAPHING DATA

4.1 Always read the introductory text very carefully before you study the graph.
4.2 Identify the pattern or trend first, before thinking of an explanation.
4.3 Show all your working out, if you have to calculate figures from a graph.
4.4 Show all your working out, if you have to calculate figures from a table.
4.5 The rules for constructing a biological graph:
• An underlined heading (A line graph showing…), both variables should be
described in the heading.
• Independent variable goes on the horizontal axis/ x-axis.
• Dependent variable goes on the vertical/ y-axis.
• Axes must be labelled and units included.
• Scales should go up in equal intervals but can be different for each axis.
• Choose a simple scale, e.g. one large square is equal to 1, 2, 5 or 10 units
in the data. Do not make it difficult to plot the data by using a scale such as
one large square = 3 or 6.
• Use a cross (x) or a large dot for your plot points. Do not use a single small
dot as it may not be seen after you have drawn your line.
• Join each point to the next.
• The graph must use at least half the given grid.
• The lines or blocks can be arranged in any order, but to make comparisons
it helps if they are arranged in descending or ascending order of size. (bar
graph, etc.)
4.6 Must be able to draw a LINE graph, HISTOGRAM, BAR graph and PIE
graph/chart.
4.7 Bar graphs have separate columns that do not touch – there are gaps in between.
4.8 Histograms have columns that do touch each other.
4.9 Pie charts represent each part of the data as a proportion of 360, because there
are 360 degrees in a circle.
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MODULE 1 Lab Safety

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1. LAB SAFETY

1. Keep your work area clean and clear.

2. Follow your teacher’s directions and the experiments instructions.
3. Do not touch equipment or chemicals until instructed.
4. Do not smell or taste any chemicals.
5. Do not eat or drink in the lab.
6. Tie back long hair to avoid accidents.
7. Clean spills as directed immediately.
8. Wear safety goggles, lab coat, and closed-toe shoes.
9. Know where the fire extinguisher and medical aid box is located.
10. After working, dispose of materials and chemicals in appropriate containers.

Find the following names of laboratory equipment below:

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Exercise 1: Find the names of the laboratory equipment in the word puzzle below:
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MODLUE 2: EXPERIMENTATION

The scientific method is a process for experimentation that is used to explore observations
and answer questions.

Scientists use the scientific method to search for the cause and effect in relationships in
nature. In other words, they design an experiment so that changes to one variable cause
another to vary in a predictable way.
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AIM
What do you want to test or prove?
The aim typically involves the word “investigate” or “determine”.
The aim must include both the independent and dependent variables.

To investigate/determine the relationship between

time and distance travelled of plastic packet floating
in a water tank.
HYPOTHESIS
A hypothesis is an educated guess.
Predictions often take the shape of "If ____then ____" statements.
Predictions should include both an independent variable (the factor you change in an
experiment) and a dependent variable (the factor you observe or measure in an
experiment).

If the time increases, then the distance will increase.

They are directly proportional.

VARIABLES
A variable is any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types.
An experiment usually has three kinds of variables:
1. An independent variable is a variable that is manipulated by the scientist.
2. The dependent variable is what is being measured in an experiment.
3. A controlled variable is one element that is not changed throughout an experiment.

1. Independent variable - the time.

2. Dependent variable – the distance.
3. Controlled variables – type of packet, current, wind.
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EXERCISE 2.1

Read the following experiments below and identify:

1) The independent variable.
2) The dependent variable.
3) The controlled variable.

2.1.1 Experiment 1

A researcher is studying the effect of sleep on concentration, thinking that less sleep will
lead to less concentration. She has some people sleep 6 hours per night, some people sleep
3 hours per night and some people sleep as much as they want. She then monitors how well
they concentrate during a quiz the next day.

2.1.2 Experiment 2

A researcher is studying the effects of chocolate on a person’s emotions, thinking that

chocolate makes a person happier. He has some people eat no chocolate for 6 days; some
people eat 50g of chocolate every second day for 6 days and some people eat as much as
they want for 6 days. He then monitors behaviour by brain activity, using an MRI.
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EXERCISE 2.2

A golf ball is dropped from a the top of a 20-story building (78.4m).

The ball’s speed (and distance) was recorded every second until it
hit the ground (using a high-speed camera and slow-motion app).
The relationship between time and speed is being investigated.
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2.2.1 Write a suitable AIM for this experiment.

2.2.2 Write a suitable HYPOTHESIS for this experiment.

2.2.3 Identify the INDEPENDENT variable.

2.2.4 Identify the DEPENDENT variable.

2.2.5 Identify TWO CONTROLLED variables.

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MODULE 3: REPRESENTATION OF DATA

Scientific data can be represented in various ways, i.e. in table form or graphically.
Raw data is gathered in a table during an experiment. They may be manipulated and then
displayed as a graph to be able to easily draw conclusions from the results.

TABULATING DATA

Tables need to be carefully constructed and clearly presented.

The purpose of a results table is to present results in such a way that they can be easily
understood by another person, can easily be processed (for example by using them to draw
a graph) and that any patterns in them can be seen.

The main features of a good results table are shown below.

THINK! There are two mistakes in the above table. Can you find them?

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________
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DATA TABLES

3.1 Tabulate the variables in the golf ball dropping experiment (pg.11). Prepare a table to
record the results of the investigation.
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MODULE 4: GRAPHING OF DATA

DRAWING LINE GRAPHS

● A line graph shows a relationship between two variables.
The main features of a good line graph are shown below.
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EXERCISE 4

4.1 Plot a line graph to represent the data in Ex. 3.1.

Independent variable: __________________

Dependent variable: __________________

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DRAWING A HISTOGRAM
• Histograms are used to show data of continuous variables.
• Continuous variation:
Human height is an example of continuous variation. Height ranges from that of the shortest
person in the world to that of the tallest person. Any height is possible between these values.
So it is continuous variation.
For any species a characteristic that changes gradually over a range of values shows
continuous variation. Examples of such characteristics are:
− height
− weight
− foot length
● Histograms have columns that do touch each other.
● The spaces between the columns on the x-axis should be identical; they should be
the same in width.
The main features of a good histogram are shown below.
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DRAWING A BAR GRAPH

• Bar graphs are used to show data of discontinuous variables.

• Discontinuous variation:
Human blood group is an example of discontinuous variation. There are only 4 types of
blood groups. There are no other possibilities and there are no values in between. So this is
discontinuous variation.
A characteristic of any species with only a limited number of possible values shows
discontinuous variation. Here are some examples:
− gender (male or female)
− blood group (A, B, AB or O)
− eye colour
● Bar graphs have separate columns that do not touch – there are gaps in between.
● The spaces between the columns on the x-axis should be identical; they should be
the same
in width.
The main features of a good bar graph are shown below.
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DRAWING PIE CHARTS

● A graph in which a circle is divided into sectors, each represents a proportion of the
whole 360o.
● Arrange the sectors from biggest to smallest, working clockwise.

Use the information below to draw a pie chart:

Fig.6.3

1. Add the data points to find a total.

2. Convert all of the data points to percentages.

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3. Convert the percentages into angles.

Round off the degree to the nearest whole number.

Make sure the angles are correct by adding all the angles together to total 360o.

Draw the pie chart below:

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Module 5: Units

Common units of measurement for Physical Sciences (S.I units):

Length/Distance m (metres) Acceleration m.s-2

Area m2 Time s (seconds)
Volume m3 Temperature K (Kelvin)
Mass Kg (kilograms) Amount of Mol (mole)
substance
Weight N (Newtons) Electric current A (amperes)
Force N (Newtons) Charge C (coulombs)
Pressure Pa (Pascals) Power W (Watts)
Density Kg.m-3 Computer storage of B (Bytes)
information
Speed m.s-1 Luminous flux (light) Lm (lumens)

Unit prefixes

Exercise 5:
Convert the following:

1. 2km to m

2. 5mm to m

3. 80g to kg

4. 60kg to g

5. 10cm2 to mm2

6. 5m3 to cm3