PAPER 3 : QUESTION 1

The following scientific skills are tested in Question 1:

1. OBSERVATION
QUESTION : State two observations.
ANSWER : Write down what can be observed only. Do not do any analysis, comparison or
conclusion. For most experiments, the observation can be written in the form:
The .(responding variable) .. at ..(manipulated variable) is (state reading of measuring
instrument)
( Write the observation for the highest and lowest value of the responding variable.)
2. INFERENCE
State one inference which corresponds to each observation. An inference is a brief explanation
of the observation, based on scientific knowledge which you already know.
(But in Physics, the scheme demands that inferences be written as follows: The (responding
variable) is determined by/affected by/ influenced by/ controlled by/ changed by (manipulative
variable).
3. MEASURING AND USING NUMBERS
Record the reading of thermometer, stopwatch, measuring tools , ruler etc. from the given
diagram. Be careful of the number of decimal places which you should have in your readings.
4. COMMUNICATING
Construct the table using the given titles, record the relevant data or calculation. Units of
measurements should be written together with table titles, not with readings.
5. INTERPRETING DATA
Explain / state the relationship between manipulated and responding variables as obtained from a
graph of the results.
6. CONTROLLING VARIABLES
Variables
(STATE)
MANIPULATED
RESPONDING
CONTROLLED

Method to handle the variables

(MUST USE VERB and state the
INSTRUMENT used)
Use / .
Record / measure using .
(Observe/ read/ are not accepted)
Use the same/ Maintain

7. MAKING HYPHOTHESIS
Able to state the hypothesis correctly based on the following criteria:

State the manipulated variable

State the responding variable

Relate the manipulated variable and the responding variable (When relating mv and rv,

do not use neutral relationships like affects or influence or changes with. Commit yourself
to one of the following relationship terms: increases with / decreases with .
8. PREDICTING
QUESTION : If the experiment is repeated .., predict the observation
ANSWER : One number or relevant statement e.g. the (responding variable) will be higher /
lower than (the value in the first experiment)
9. DEFINING OPERATIONALLY
This is a definition in the context of the experiment, and not the textbook definition.
EXAMPLE 1: An experiment is carried out to investigate photosynthesis and the number of
bubbles released is counted. The operational definition of photosynthesis would then be:
Photosynthesis is the process where green plants release bubbles in the presence of light, carbon
dioxide and water.
EXAMPLE 2: An experiment is carried out to investigate photosynthesis and leaves are tested
with iodine solution for the presence of starch. The operational definition of photosynthesis
would be:
Photosynthesis is the process where green leaves in the presence of light, carbon dioxide and
water,
produce starch which turns iodine solution dark blue.
(You must have a phrase which includes the context of the experiment / experimental conditions.)
Or even simpler:
To define operationally, say the question is asking you concerning Operational Definition of
Strong Acids, and the manipulative variable is the acid with various pH value and the
responding variable is The Reading of The pH meter.
Hence the operational definition is :
A strong acid causes the pH meter to show a smaller magnitude reading when the bulb of the pH
meter is immersed in each of the samples of various concentrations of the acid, given that the
volume of the tested acids is the same and all acids are of the same type.

(Note: The operational definition is supposed to tell a person (whom you

assume does not know a single thing about the chemical principles in the
first place) what to observe as the responding variable and the conditions in
which the experiment is taking place (tell what is the fixed variable and the
how the manipulated variable is represented)

Another example is: The elasticity of vulcanised rubber

Given the experiment is the experiment comparing the elasticity of two
strips of rubber, one vulcanised, the other non-vulcanised.
Hence, the operational definition of 'the Elasticity of Rubber' is given as:
The Elasticity of Rubber is operationally defined as the "Difference between
final lengths of the respective rubber strips after the weight used to stretch
is removed, and their respective original lengths" given that the two rubber
strips have the same initial length but are of different types of rubber, one
being vulvanised rubber, the other being non-vulcanised rubber.
Another example: define operationally the Rate of Reaction (based on the
experiment on this Factor: Temperature of reaction mixture) i.e. the effect
of temperature on the rate of reaction between Sodium Thiosulphate
solution and dilute sulphuric acid, H2SO4
hence, we define the 'Rate of Reaction' as follows:
The rate of reaction is operationally defined as "The time taken for the cross
'X' to disappear" when the "sodium thiosulphate solution is heated to various
temperatures" and then reacted with dilute sulphuric acid, given that both
the "dilute sulphuric acid and sodium thiosulphate solutions are of standard
volumes and concentrations".
Note that I have inverted comma-ed the 'responding variable---the factor we
are supposed to observe', the 'manipulative variable---the variable being
obviously manipulated here' and also the 'fixed variable---the variable being
clearly controlled here'.
10. CLASSIFYING
Students must complete the given table according to the title . If the table is not provided,
construct the table according to the classification given .
11. USING SPACE-TIME RELATIONSHIP
State the changes of the responding variable with time. Use relationship words like increases
with / decreases with / remains constant with / increases proportionately with / etc. Do not use
neutral relationship terms like affects / influences / changes with.

PAPER 3 : QUESTION 2
This question tests students ability to plan an experiment in a given format.
Students must have all of the following :
1.

Problem statement

2.

Aim of investigation

3.

Hypothesis

4.

Variables

5.

List of apparatus and materials

6.

Technique used

7.

Experimental procedure or method

8.

Presentation of data

9.

Conclusion

1. PROBLEM STATEMENT
Must be written in the form of a question remember to end with a question mark.
2. AIM
Write down the aim as given in the question.
3. HYPOTHESIS
Able to state the hypothesis correctly based on the following criteria:

State the manipulated variable

State the responding variable

Relate the manipulated variable and the responding variable (Remember no neutral

relationship terms)

4. VARIABLES
Write down all 3 variables (one of each)
5. TECHNIQUE
In a complete sentence, write down what is observed or measured (include the instrument
used). State the specific name of the technique where applicable.
Example :
(i) Measure and record the volume of fruit juices needed to change blue DCPIP to colourless,
using a syringe.
(ii)Measure and record the initial and final temperature of the water in the boiling tube using a
thermometer.

6. MATERIALS AND APPARATUS

List down at least 3 materials and 3 apparatus .
7. PROCEDURE / METHOD
Write down each step clearly and systematically (include precautionary steps) . Your steps
should include the following:
K1 Steps where you describe how apparatus and materials are handled.
K2 Steps where you describe how the controlled variable is maintained
K3 Steps where you describe how the manipulated variable is altered
K4 Steps where you describe how the responding variable is measured and the instrument to be
used.
K5 Precautionary steps which ensure safety / improve accuracy of readings.
(Since this is a planning of an experiment to be carried out, procedures should be written as a
set of instructions and not in passive speech.
8. PRESENTATION OF DATA
Construct the table with the correct titles and units (Table is to be left blank, without results /
readings).
9. CONCLUSION
Repeat or modify the hypothesis sentence. It is not required to write the phrase therefore the
hypothesis is accepted / rejected" (since you are planning an experiment and have not carried it
out.)