Physics for the IB MYP 4&5: by Concept
8 How is our climate changing?
Activity: Modelling greenhouse gases
Molecular models for our three greenhouse gases –
which is which?
The Earth’s atmosphere – a thin layer of gases, vital to
life
Identifying the problem
In groups, or perhaps as a class, start by brainstorming some of the variables that
might be important in an investigation to model greenhouse gas properties.
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Physics for the IB MYP 4&5: by Concept
Now, on your own, select from your list of variables those that can be changed,
(independent) and those that should be measured (dependent).
Use the experiment investigation cycle below to draft your design. Use the template
overleaf to help structure your writing.
Start your inquiry here
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Physics for the IB MYP 4&5: by Concept
Inquiry question
To investigate how (independent variable) ________________________________
affects (dependent variable) ___________________________________________
Background: Use this section to collect any background information from research
you have done – for example, about how the variables you have chosen may be
related, how they can be measured, what values we should expect, what might
cause the values to vary, and so on. Explain why it is important or useful to
investigate this.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Criterion B
strand (i)
Hypothesis
When (independent variable) _________________________________ is changed
the (dependent variable) __________________________________ will change by
__________________________________________________________________
This is because _____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Criterion B
strand (ii)
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Physics for the IB MYP 4&5: by Concept
Method
The (independent variable) ____________________________ will be changed by
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
The (dependent variable) ____________________________ will be measured by
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
The measurements will be made every ___________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
The measurements will be repeated _______________________________ times.
These other variables will be controlled:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
These other precautions will be taken to reduce error in the results:
___________________________________________________
___________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
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Hint: Think back to
the precautions you
took in Activity:
Radiant surfaces.
Criterion B
strand (iii)
Physics for the IB MYP 4&5: by Concept
Safety notes
Risk analysis for this experiment suggests the following safety precautions must be
observed:
Beware! Methane is highly flammable and explosive. The generation of carbon
dioxide may involve the use of acid.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Equipment
The equipment required for this experiment will be:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Criterion B
strand (iv)
You may wish to draw an outline diagram of the equipment setup here, with labels.
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Physics for the IB MYP 4&5: by Concept
Results
Record the results in a clear and organized way – usually in a table – showing units
of measurement and any uncertainties in measurement. If you have many results
from a datalogger, give a sample table here.
Criterion C
strand (i)
Presentation and analysis
Choose the most appropriate kind of presentation for the results.
Summarize the analysis of the results – what patterns do you see in the data?
Can the presentation of the results be used to work out any values or derive any
relationships?
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Physics for the IB MYP 4&5: by Concept
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Physics for the IB MYP 4&5: by Concept
Conclusion
Write a conclusion that:

states whether or not the hypothesis was supported, and correct

describes the results and any relationships analysed

explains any relationship identified or observed.
The results show ____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
This is because _____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Criterion C
strands (ii) and (iii)
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Physics for the IB MYP 4&5: by Concept
Evaluation
Explain how the experiment was
valid:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
reliable:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
State what errors were present in the results. Evaluate how important (significant)
they were for the final conclusion.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Criterion C
__________________________________________________________________
strand (iv)
Suggest what could be done to improve the experiment, so as to reduce these
errors.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
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Physics for the IB MYP 4&5: by Concept
Suggest what new, further questions could be investigated following the
experimental findings. Explain what changes could be made to your experiment to
investigate these new questions.
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Criterion C
strand (v)
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