Page 7 - 1202 Question Bank Physics Form 4

1.2 Scientific Investigation y

1. Making an inference means interpreting or
explaining factors as a result of an observation.
Example: The period of a simple pendulum is
affected by its length.

2. Hypothesis is a general statement that attempts to
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relate two or more variables.
0 x
Example: The longer the length of a simple
pendulum, the longer its period of oscillation. y = mx

3. Variable is a physical quantity that must be 11. When a straight line that does not pass through the
considered in order to describe an observation.
origin is obtained, the equation that can be deduced is
Example: The period of oscillation of a simple y
pendulum and the length of the simple pendulum.

4. Manipulated variable is a physical quantity whose
values must be determined before the experiment is
carried out.
Example: Length of the simple pendulum.

5. Responding variable is a physical quantity that x
depends on a manipulated variable and is obtained 0
during the experiment.
y = mx + c
Example: The period of oscillation.
This shows that y has a linear relationship with x, and
6. Constant variable is a physical quantity that must be c is the intercept for the line on the y-axis.
fixed throughout the experiment.
12. The gradient of a line is the change in y, Δy, divided
Example: mass of pendulum bob, the gravitational by the change in x, Δx.
acceleration. y

7. Checklist of methods for graph plotting (ASPCGI):
axes, scale, plot, curve, gradient and intercept.
8. A graph represents the average value of the readings ∆y
of an experiment and provides a visual relationship
between variables under investigation. ∆x

9. By analysing information from the graph, we can
find data patterns, the relationship between variables
0 x
involved and to formulate generalisation of a
particular principle or law of physics.
∆y
10. When a straight line that has a positive gradient and Gradient, m = ∆x
that passes through the origin is obtained, the equation
that can be deduced is y = mx. This shows that y is
directly proportional to x, and m is the gradient of the
line.

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