Internal assessment resource reference number Phys/1/1 – Y version 4
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2006
PHYSICS 1.1 Internal assessment resource reference number: Phy/1.1 – Y version 4
“Bouncing Around” Achievement Standard 90180
Carry out a practical physics investigation with direction
Credits: 4
Student Instructions
In this investigation you are to develop a plan, collect and process information, and
present a report on the effect of temperature on the height of the bounce of a
squash ball.
Squash players believe that the ball travels faster as a game progresses. For this reason,
they will spend several minutes “warming up” before a game begins. In this investigation
you will try to find out whether this warming effect affects the height of the bounce of the
squash ball.
This assessment activity is to be carried out in three parts that lead to the production of
an investigation report.
Each part of this assessment will be carried out in normal class periods during
week three (and four) of term 3. You have one and a half hours to individually plan,
trial (if necessary) and complete the method write up on the sheets provided.
At this point you will be placed in groups of 3 or 4. You will have one period to
develop a group plan and carry out the method. You will have a further period to
write your report individually.
At the end of each part ALL WRITTEN MATERIAL must be handed in to your
teacher.
Part 1 Develop a Plan
(Individual Activity, 1 1/2 periods)
 Use the Investigation Plan Sheet for this part.
 Equipment available will include: metre rulers, squash balls, thermometers, source of
hot water, 500mL beaker, tongs, stop watch, paper towels or rags.
 Use the Check List to check that your plan is workable. If it is not you will need to
make some changes to it before continuing. [You may also change your plan as you
develop a group plan as long as you describe any changes in your report in part 3.]
 You may need to carry out a limited trial of your plan to see if it will work.
Part 2 Collect, Record and Process Information/Data
(Group Activity, 1 period)
 Carrying out of the investigation as directed by your teacher.
 Using your individual plans, decide on a group plan and carry it out.
 Record any changes to your individual plan and reasons for the changes.
 Each student must collect and record their own information. Time will be given for
collation of data.
 Record any difficulties with equipment, measuring or the method followed.
Internal assessment resource reference number Phys/1/1 – Y version 4
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Part 3 Interpret Information and Present a Report (Individual Activity, 1 period)
 Present and Process your information in ways that will help you address the purpose
of your investigation. This will usually involve some calculations (e.g. averages) and a
graph to establish a trend or pattern.
 Describe the trends or patterns, you observe in your data.
 Give a conclusion linked to the purpose of the investigation.
 Write a discussion of the investigation. This could include
any limitations of the investigation,
the effect of other variables that you did not foresee,
difficulties in the use of equipment,
limitations of the findings,
where relevant any suggested solutions to these.
Include links to related science concepts or ideas.
You must hand in the following
 your original Investigation Plan Sheet with any changes to the plan described
 your collected and processed data (including graph)
 your conclusion and discussion
Student Checklist for Investigation Plan
Use this checklist to see if your investigation plan meets the requirements for a workable
one.
If you find that you cannot tick a given requirement then you will need to change or add to
your plan.
Have you included the following in your plan?
The purpose of your investigation e.g. aim, question, or hypothesis
The independent variable
A range of values for the independent variable
The dependent variable
How the dependent variable will be measured?
How other variables will be controlled?
How you will ensure that your results are reliable?
Description of a scientific method
How will you record your data?
Have you carried out a limited trial of your plan?
Yes
Internal assessment resource reference number Phys/1/1 – Y version 4
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Planning Sheet “Bouncing Around” Student name:
1. Purpose of investigation (this may be an aim, testable question, prediction or
hypothesis)
2. Which variable will be changed? (This is the independent variable)
How will the independent variable be changed?
Give a suitable range of values for this variable
3. Which variable will have to be measured or observed in order to get some data or
information from the investigation? (This is the dependent variable)
How will the dependent variable be measured or observed?
4. Other variables that need to be kept constant to make your results fair.
Constants
Describe how this variable will be controlled or measured?
5. How will you ensure that your results are reliable?
6. Notes from your trials.
Now use the information on this planning sheet to write a detailed step-by-step
method.
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Investigation Report Sheet: “Bouncing Around”
Collected data
Processed data
Name: ________________
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Step by step method
Internal assessment resource reference number Phys/1/1 – Y version 4
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Patterns or Trends:
Conclusion:
Discussion:
Write a discussion of the investigation. This could include
 any limitations of the investigation,
 the effect of other variables that you did not foresee,
 difficulties in the use of equipment,
 limitations of the findings,
 where relevant any suggested solutions to these.
Include links to related science concepts or ideas.
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Continue on a new page if needed.
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