The Properties of Pennies
Science Labs Begin with a Question
Do all groups of pennies have
the same physical properties?
Form Your Hypothesis
Your hypothesis should be a
testable answer to the question
or a testable explanation.
Hypothesis: All groups of
pennies (have or don’t have)
the same physical properties.
Independent Variable
The Independent Variable is the
factor in an experiment that
you change purposefully.
Independent Variable: The mint
date of the pennies.
Levels of the Independent Variable
The levels are the different
experiments we will conduct.
Levels of the Independent Variable:
Group A Pennies and Group B Pennies
(observe the dates on the pennies to
find the date range for the group.)
Control
The control is the standard for
comparison in the experiment.
Since we can compare the pennies in
the B group to the pennies in the A
group, we will call group A the control
group.
Control: group A pennies
Repeated trials help to make the
experiment valid.
How many repeated trials will
be performed?
Each lab group will perform the
experiment and so can count as
a trial.
Repeated Trials: 6
Dependent Variable
The Dependent Variable is the
responding variable.
What are the factors we will be
observing and measuring?
Dependent Variable: The physical
properties of the pennies (color,
luster, mass, volume, and density)
Constants
The constants are the factors in
the experiment that are kept
the same.
Constants: 10 pennies in each
group.
Procedure Diagram
Sketch a diagram to help
explain how you will conduct
the experiment.
Create a Data Table
The first column holds the independent
variable and the dependent variable
goes to the right.
Mint
Date
Color
Luster
Other
properties
Mass (g)
Volume
(cm3)
Density
(g/cm3)
Display the Data as a Graph
Determine the best type of
graph for your data.
A bar graph can
compare two
quantities like the
densities of the
groups of pennies.
Conclusion – Summarize the Results
Summarize your results in a
paragraph.
Describe any trends or patterns you
notice in your table and graph. Make
comparisons of the experimental
groups. Use statistics like the mean or
range.
Conclusion - Analyze the Results
Analyze the results in terms of
the lab question.
Write a paragraph in which you analyze
the results. Include how the results
either support or disprove your
hypothesis. Explain whether you can
answer the lab question.
Conclusion – Apply what you have
learned
Relate science concepts from class
to the results of the experiment.
In a paragraph, provide information
about concepts in class that relate to
this lab. Explain how these concepts
help you make sense of your lab results.