Revision - Module 6: Technologies
Scientific Investigation and Technology
Inquiry question: How does technology enhance and/or limit scientific
investigation?
1. During this module you designed and carried out investigations on the tasks listed in the
table below. Complete the table by briefly outlining the method, the variables and the
technologies used to measure them.
Independent variable Dependent variable
Investigation Method outline
Identified Measured with Identified Measured with
Temperature on Calcium Temperature Thermometer Time Stopwatch
reaction rate carbonate in
acid prac
Temperature on Archimedes Temperature Thermometer Volume Measuring
volume of gas theory of cylinder
volume. Put
water bottle in
water measure
the rise of the
water.
Speed on Newton’s Speed Speed gun Distance Ruler/tape
distance Second Law? measure
travelled
Pressure on Avergratoes law. Pressure Force meter Volume Measuring
volume of gas Plug syringe and cylinder
measure the
weight exerted
on it
2. Technologies used to record data have certain limitations. Evaluate the limitations of the
technologies used in the investigations above.
Thermometers can only read to certain temperature levels, speed guns are hand held making accurate
reading difficult to achieve sometimes, force meters are fragile and must be used properly to maintain the
device, stopwatches start and end can be slightly inaccurate as they require humans to start and stop,
ultimately causing slight inconsistencies, measuring cylinders must be reader correctly otherwise the data
will be off, rulers and measuring tapes don’t proved infinitely increasing accuracy therefore, when an
individual uses them they have to guess slightly as to what the reading is.
3. Errors in investigations and measurements are always a factor that need to be
considered by scientists.
a. Define random and systematic errors.
Random = unpredictable error, generally unrepeated
Systematic = human error which could have been avoided e.g. not using something correctly
b. What does accuracy refer to when taking measurements?
The closeness of a measured value to a known or standard value.
c. What was the range of measuring devices used in the investigations above?
Scientific Investigation and Technology
Inquiry question: How does technology enhance and/or limit scientific
investigation?
1. During this module you designed and carried out investigations on the tasks listed in the
table below. Complete the table by briefly outlining the method, the variables and the
technologies used to measure them.
Independent variable Dependent variable
Investigation Method outline
Identified Measured with Identified Measured with
Temperature on Calcium Temperature Thermometer Time Stopwatch
reaction rate carbonate in
acid prac
Temperature on Archimedes Temperature Thermometer Volume Measuring
volume of gas theory of cylinder
volume. Put
water bottle in
water measure
the rise of the
water.
Speed on Newton’s Speed Speed gun Distance Ruler/tape
distance Second Law? measure
travelled
Pressure on Avergratoes law. Pressure Force meter Volume Measuring
volume of gas Plug syringe and cylinder
measure the
weight exerted
on it
2. Technologies used to record data have certain limitations. Evaluate the limitations of the
technologies used in the investigations above.
Thermometers can only read to certain temperature levels, speed guns are hand held making accurate
reading difficult to achieve sometimes, force meters are fragile and must be used properly to maintain the
device, stopwatches start and end can be slightly inaccurate as they require humans to start and stop,
ultimately causing slight inconsistencies, measuring cylinders must be reader correctly otherwise the data
will be off, rulers and measuring tapes don’t proved infinitely increasing accuracy therefore, when an
individual uses them they have to guess slightly as to what the reading is.
3. Errors in investigations and measurements are always a factor that need to be
considered by scientists.
a. Define random and systematic errors.
Random = unpredictable error, generally unrepeated
Systematic = human error which could have been avoided e.g. not using something correctly
b. What does accuracy refer to when taking measurements?
The closeness of a measured value to a known or standard value.
c. What was the range of measuring devices used in the investigations above?
