Page 21 - Physics

Introduction to Physics

A Toy car

Ramp

B

Floor

Figure 1.19
Answer
(a) Dependent variable; The distance travelled by the toy car.
(b) Independent variable; The height of the ramp.

(c) Controlled variables; The type of toy car used, the starting point of the car on
the ramp, and the surface of the ramp.

Task 1.4

A student is investigating the relationship between the number of coils in a spring
and the distance it compresses when a force is applied. They vary the number of
coils and measure the compression distance. Determine the dependent, independent,
and controlled variables in this experiment.

4. Data collection and analysis
Data collection involves recording what has been observed during the experiments.
The observed results are tabulated (recorded in a table form) and ready for analysis.
This involves plotting graphs and calculating mean, standard deviation, and errors. The
results of the experiment can be recorded as shown in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1: Length of the string to which the pendulum bob is attached and time taken
to complete number (n) of oscillations.

Number of Length, l Time to complete (n) Period, T (s) T (s )
2
2
t
observations (m) oscillations, t (s) T = ( s)
n

15

Physics Form 1 Final.indd 15 16/10/2024 20:55