Planning Log
2/08/2014 - Nature of investigation was written up, Background Research was started
3/08/2014 - Background Research was completed (effects of each substance on ice), Materials were confirmed available
9/08/2014 - Experiment was conducted, Results recorded, Pictures Taken
10/08/2014 - Formal Experiment was recorded (Aim, Hypothesis, Materials, Method and Results Table)
13/08/2014 - Formal Experiment Continued (Results were Graphed, Conclusion)
14/08/2014 - Reflection, Discussion
15/08/2014 - Risk Assessment, Variables (Dependent and Independent), Experimental Control, Validity and Reliability
16/08/2014 - Weebly Website started
17/08/2014 - Weebly and Editing
20/08/2014 - Bibliography, Photo Uploads, Weebly was completed and edited and word document was converted to PDF format
3/08/2014 - Background Research was completed (effects of each substance on ice), Materials were confirmed available
9/08/2014 - Experiment was conducted, Results recorded, Pictures Taken
10/08/2014 - Formal Experiment was recorded (Aim, Hypothesis, Materials, Method and Results Table)
13/08/2014 - Formal Experiment Continued (Results were Graphed, Conclusion)
14/08/2014 - Reflection, Discussion
15/08/2014 - Risk Assessment, Variables (Dependent and Independent), Experimental Control, Validity and Reliability
16/08/2014 - Weebly Website started
17/08/2014 - Weebly and Editing
20/08/2014 - Bibliography, Photo Uploads, Weebly was completed and edited and word document was converted to PDF format
Risk Assessment
- Ice is very cold and can cause frostbite. In order to eliminate the risk, gloves are recommended and it is recommended not to hold ice for a long period of time to prevent hands from freezing.
- Water is extremely slippery. To avoid causing slippery accidents like someone slipping over on the floor and getting hurt, make sure no to get the floor wet. When the ice melts, the water must be carefully poured down the drain. If it is accidentally spilt, make sure to mop it up immediately.
- Plates made out of glass or ceramic can crack if dropped. The shards are very sharp and can cut easily. To prevent this risk, handle with care, wear protective gear such as gloves and apron and be aware of your surrounding (so as not to bump into things). If plate is dropped, keep clear and ask adult for help to clean up immediately.
- If one has a wound, be aware not to get substances in the wound. Salt will cause wound to sting and substances like soil and sand may infect the wound. To eliminate these risks, be aware of wound and cover it up accordingly. E.g. If wound is on hand, wear gloves.
- Wear enclosed leather shoes to cover up feet in case something heavy is dropped on toes (e.g. the block of ice).
- To avoid substances coming in contact with eyes (e.g. sand getting in eyes) wear goggles.
Variables
Independent Variables:
The independent variables is the variable that is being changed in the experiment to test the effects it has. It is varied during the experiment and is what the investigator thinks will affect the dependent variable. In this experiment, the independent variables are the substances being tested for freezing point depression (salt, sand, sugar, soil, cotton and coffee). These substances are used to see it they will cause a different outcome for the experiment.
Dependent Variables:
The dependent variable is the variable that 'depends' on the independent variable. It is the variable that is being tested and measured. It is what the investigator thinks will be affected in the process of the experiment and it is this variable that will be observed and recorded. The dependent variable in the experiment is the weight of the blocks of ice. The weight of the block of ice is dependent on what independent variable (substance) was being tested on that block. The weight is the measurement that is observed throughout the experiment and recorded.
The independent variables is the variable that is being changed in the experiment to test the effects it has. It is varied during the experiment and is what the investigator thinks will affect the dependent variable. In this experiment, the independent variables are the substances being tested for freezing point depression (salt, sand, sugar, soil, cotton and coffee). These substances are used to see it they will cause a different outcome for the experiment.
Dependent Variables:
The dependent variable is the variable that 'depends' on the independent variable. It is the variable that is being tested and measured. It is what the investigator thinks will be affected in the process of the experiment and it is this variable that will be observed and recorded. The dependent variable in the experiment is the weight of the blocks of ice. The weight of the block of ice is dependent on what independent variable (substance) was being tested on that block. The weight is the measurement that is observed throughout the experiment and recorded.
Experimental Control
A control is a group that is separated from the rest of the experiment so the independent variable being tested may not influence the results of the control. The control is used to compare the experimental results to find explanations of the results found. The experimental control in this experiment was the block of ice that was a pure solution with no added solution or external factors that changed it or how it melted.
Validity and Reliability
In order to endure validity, the test was conducted with the only change being the independent variable (substance tested). The independent variable was only changed one at a time and everything else remained the same. Therefore all factors were kept constant except those that were being investigated (the independent variables - salt, sand, sugar, etc.)
The reliability of the experiment was ensured as each substance was tested three times and the average of the tests carried out was calculated to give a more accurate and reliable result. The unit of measurement used to record the data was in percentage form as 'percentage' is a ratio expressed as a fraction of 100. By using percentage we take into account the original weight of the block of ice to ensure fairness among the results. This way, it may eliminate the effects the different original weights of the blocks of ice have on the results. There were no bias factors or interference to give an inaccurate result either.
The reliability of the experiment was ensured as each substance was tested three times and the average of the tests carried out was calculated to give a more accurate and reliable result. The unit of measurement used to record the data was in percentage form as 'percentage' is a ratio expressed as a fraction of 100. By using percentage we take into account the original weight of the block of ice to ensure fairness among the results. This way, it may eliminate the effects the different original weights of the blocks of ice have on the results. There were no bias factors or interference to give an inaccurate result either.