How can we explain what we’re going to do? How we will be marked?

The Question…

How we are marked… 1, 2 or 3 marks Most of the necessary equipment is listed. 4, 5 or 6 marks All of the necessary equipment is listed. 7, 8 or 9 marks All of the necessary equipment is listed.

How we are marked… 1, 2 or 3 marks4, 5 or 6 marks7, 8 or 9 marks Most of the necessary equipment is listed. The method described is weak but shows some understanding of the sequence of an investigation. All of the necessary equipment is listed. The method described will enable valid results to be collected. Most of the necessary equipment is listed. The method described will enable valid results to be collected.

How we are marked… 1, 2 or 3 marks4, 5 or 6 marks7, 8 or 9 marks The measurements to be made are stated. At least one control variable is given The measurements to be made are stated. Control variables are clearly identified, with details of how they will be monitored or controlled.

How we are marked… 1, 2 or 3 marks4, 5 or 6 marks7, 8 or 9 marks An appropriate hazard is identified, but the corresponding risk assessment and control measure is weak or absent. Any significant hazards are identified, together with a corresponding control measure but the risk assessment is weak or absent Any significant hazards are identified, together with an assessment of the associated risks and corresponding control measures.

How we are marked… 1, 2 or 3 marks4, 5 or 6 marks7, 8 or 9 marks The answer is poorly organised with almost no specialist terms and little or no detail given. The spelling, punctuation and grammar is very weak. The answer has some structure and organisation, use of specialist terms has been attempted but not always correctly, and some detail is given. The spelling, punctuation and grammar is reasonable although there may still be some errors. The answer is coherent and written in an organised, logical sequence, containing a range of relevant specialist terms used correctly. The answer shows almost faultless spelling, punctuation and grammar.

equipment 12 volt immersion heater and power supply 1 litre beaker Thermometer Stopwatch Method Put 1 kg of water in the beaker and measure the temperature. Put immersion heater in and switch on for 2 minutes. Measure the temperature after 2 minutes. Repeat for 800g, 600g, 400g and 200g. Fair test. The water should start at the same temperature each time, and the heater should be switched on for the same amount of time each time. Risk Assessment. If the water gets very hot and the beaker gets knocked over, it could scald someone. So I will make sure that all books, bags etc. are well away from it. Also, I will make sure that the water does not get too hot. The equipment that the candidate proposes to use is clearly described and is appropriate. Apart from stating how the temp rise should be calculated, the method is clear and another person should be able to follow it. The method is described in a logical sequence of steps. Control variables are clearly stated. However, there is no indication as to how these variables will be controlled/monitored. Risk assessment contains an identification of the hazard (hot water), the associated risk (being scalded) and two control measures (keeping books away, not overheating). 7/9 marks Example 1:

Example 2: I am going to take a block of wood and put it on a plank. Then I am going to lift one end of the plank until the block just starts to slide. The higher I have to lift the plank, the greater the friction will be. Then I will add weights on top of the block to increase the downward force and again tilt the plank until it starts moving. I will measure the angle of the plank when the block starts moving and this will be an indication of the frictional force. I am going to repeat each weight three times to make sure that I don’t have any anomalous results, and then calculate a mean. There are not many hazards in this experiment. The only thing I have to be careful of is to make sure that the block doesn’t fall off the end of the plank and hurt someone. To make sure this doesn’t happen I am going to put a strip of wood across the end of the plank to make sure that the weight doesn’t fall off. To make it a fair test I am going to use the same block of wood and the same plank each time. The equipment is described and is appropriate, although there is no detail concerning the type of block to be used. The method is clear and another person should be able to follow it and obtain valid results. It is in a logical sequence. No control variables are stated, although it will be repeated 3 times and a mean calculated. Identification of hazard, associated risk and a control measure. Spelling, punctuation and grammar are all very good. 8/9 marks

Example 3: I am going to get a wooden block and catapult it across the floor by stretching a piece of elastic between two legs of the table. I will try this on a polished floor, a floor with carpet on it and a concrete surface. I will measure how far the block slides each time – the further it slides the less the friction. To make it a far test I will use the same block each time and I will pull the elastic back by the same amount each time. The main risk in this is that if I pull the elastic back too far it might snap and hit me in the face. The risk is low but I will make sure I don’t pull it back too far so it doesn’t break. Also I will make sure that I keep everybody away in case they get hit. The equipment is described and is appropriate, although there is no detail concerning the type of block to be used. The method is clear and another person should be able to follow it and obtain valid results. It is in a logical sequence, although there are few technical terms. Two control variables have been stated although no details are given regarding how the stretch of the elastic will be kept the same. The risk assessment contains an identification of the hazard (elastic breaking), the associated risk (being hit in the face) and a control measure (not stretching elastic too far). The spelling, punctuation and grammar are all very good. 5/9 marks