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This section will tell us more about the two common types of laboratory thermometers
mercury and alcohol thermometers.
Super Scientist
The Celsius scale is named after Swedish astronomer, Anders Celsius (1701-1744). Today,
the Celsius scale is commonly used.
Mercury thermometer:
Alcohol thermometer:
Mercury thermometer
Alcohol thermometer
Safety Precaution!
Be careful when handling the mercury thermometer. Avoid contact with mercury if the bulb
breaks! Mercury is toxic and can enter the body through the skin.
Do you remember the last time you visited the doctor? The doctor would probably have used
a thermometer to measure your body temperature. It is known as a clinical thermometer.
This thermometer has a scale of 35C to 42C. Why do you think this is so?
Quick Check
1. Define temperature
2. State the S.I. unit of temperature.
3. Compare the differences between the mercury and alcohol thermometer.
4. Identify two clinical thermometers used.
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Draw a straight line graph to show the relationship between two factors;
Interpret data from the graph.
When we conduct an experiment, we can use many types of graphs to present the data that we
collect. Most of them are straight lines. The purpose of a graph is to visually display
relationships, which may not be obvious from data tables. Below is an example of a straight
line graph plotted using the information from the table shown.
Interpreting data from a graph
The aim of this experiment was to find out how mass is related to volume. The mass of the
same type of plasticine was measured at different volumes.
10 50
20 100
30 150
40 200
What do you get when you divide the value of the mass by the value of the volume taken at
any point on this graph? You get the density of this lump of plasticine. What is its value?
From the graph above, we can see that the mass of the plasticine increases as the volume of
the plasticine increases.
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Let us look at another example. The graph shows how the volume of water in a measuring
cylinder changes with the number of slotted weights added to it. How can we find out the
initial volume of water in the measuring cylinder?
Graph of the relationship between the volume of water and mass of slotted weights
By extending the line towards the y-axis (extrapolate), as shown, the initial volume of water
in the measuring cylinder can be obtained.
Quick Check
The volume of water taken in by a plant over a few hours was plotted on a graph. What can
you say about the experiment by looking at the graph?
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A scientific investigation can be used to solve a problem or find out new things. Scientific
investigations involve the use of the scientific method, which consists of a series of steps.
1. Ask a question.
Use your five senses to make observations. This helps you to gather information and
generate scientific questions such as what, when, which, where, why or
how.
Girl: We seem to need fewer paper towels than cloth towels to soak up the spill. I
wonder why.
2. Formulate a hypothesis.
Study the information gathered and make sense of it. Then, propose a theory or
hypothesis. A hypothesis is a good guess about the answer to your question.
Guy: I think its because paper towels absorb more water than cloth towels.
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Aim:
To investigate if paper towels absorb more water than cloth towels
Procedure:
1. Place a piece of paper towel in a beaker of water for ten seconds.
2. Take the paper towel out of the beaker.
3. Place a funnel over a measuring cylinder.
4. Squeeze all the water out of the towel into the measuring cylinder.
5. Record the amount of water collected.
6. Repeat the experiment.
7. Repeat steps 1-6 using the cloth towels.
Girl: We shall make sure the size of the towels, the amount of water in the beaker and
the time the towel is in the beaker is the same. This way, only the type of towel will
affect the experiment.
Science Smart
There are two types of data. Quantities that we measured are called quantitative data.
Observations that can only be described in words but not measured are called qualitative data.
A fair experiment is conducted when only one variable is changed in the experiment. Discuss
with your teacher and classmates if the above experiment is a fair one.
Quick Check
Page 31
Summary
Introducing Science
- Knowledge of:
o Laboratory rules
o Hazard warning symbols
o Apparatus and equipment
- Accurate measurements
o Mass:
S.I. Unit = kilogram (kg)
Instruments used: Triple-beam balance, Electronic balance
o Area:
S.I. Unit = square metre (m)
Mathematical formula for regular shapes
Estimation with square grids for irregular figures
o Time:
S.I. Unit = second (s)
Instruments used: Stopwatch, Stop clock
o Volume:
S.I. Unit = cubic metre (m)
Instruments used:
Mathematical formulae for regular shapes
For irregular solids:
Measuring cylinder
Displacement can
o Length:
S.I. Unit = metre (m)
Instruments used: Ruler, Measuring tape, Internal and external callipers
o Density:
S.I. Unit = kg/cm
mass
Density =
volume
o Temperature:
S.I. Unit = kelvin (K)
Instruments used: mercury thermometer and alcohol thermometer
- Investigations
o Scientific Method
Ask a question
Formulate a hypothesis
Plan an experiment to test the hypothesis
Conduct the experiment
Process the data from the experiment
Evaluate the experiment
Communicate the findings to others