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The current through a component depends on its resistance.

Resistance is a measure of how much a material tries to stop electricity passing through it.

The greater the resistance the smaller the current for a particular potential difference across the component.

The resistance of a thermistor decreases as the temperature increases.

The units are: Resistance (R) ohms, Ω Potential difference (V) volts, VCurrent (I) ampères, A

From AQA specification for GCSE Additional Science June 2014

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Topic of investigation: The resistance of a thermistor decreases as the temperature increases.Investigate a factor that affects the resistance of a thermistorDevelop your OWN hypothesisResearch ONE possible method to investigate itDevelop a detailed plan for this methodFill in the RESEARCH NOTES sheet (BOTH sides) and hand in to your teacher.

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Fill in both sides of the sheet. Make sure you SIGN the front page.

It is important you put as much detail as you can BUT do not write outside the boxes.

When you have finished, your teacher will check your notes and sign the front if everything is complete. If they are handed back to you unsigned, you MUST make the improvements before you start the next stage of the assessment.

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How could the results of this investigation help someone design a circuit to switch the heating on and off automatically?

Explain in your own words.

Write a DRAFT first. Show it to your teacher before copying it onto your Research Notes sheet.

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HINT1. What are automatic

temperature controllers called?2. When a thermistor is used,

what happens to the resistance when the temperature changes?

3. What happens to the current when the resistance changes?

4. If the current increased, should the computer program switch the heating on or off?

Not a guess. Based on prior observations A statement, not a question States that changing an independent variable will affect

a dependent variable A good hypothesis describes the expected pattern of

the relationship, for example: “The higher the X, the lower the Y.”

A very good hypothesis describes the relationship in detail. Sometimes a sketch graph is useful.

Show your teacher a DRAFT on lined paper BEFORE you write on your Research Notes sheet.

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Find at least 2 sources. Look for descriptions of experiments that measure resistance of electrical components. A circuit diagram is useful. Look also for sources that help you understand the theory.

PLAN AHEAD! You have to squeeze FOUR lines of writing into a very small space! Draft it on another piece of paper first.

1. Select the most useful source and write down its Title and Author OR its Title and Web address.

2. Write WHY you thought this one was the most useful. It could be because it explains the theory clearly, or maybe it has a good circuit diagram, or the equipment is described in detail.

3. Choose ONE of your rejected sources and write down its Title and Author OR its Title and Web address.

4. Write WHY you rejected it.5. Show your draft to your teacher before you copy it onto

the Research Notes.

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Hazard Risk Control

How likely? Write low, medium or high risk.

AND

Possible outcome: how could somebody be HARMED?

How to reduce the risk.“Be careful” is NOT enough!

Name of the HAZARD, not just the object.

For example, water is not hazardous. Water on the floor is a hazard.

We recommend you use this table format, it saves a lot of space!Show your draft to your teacher before writing on the Research Notes sheet.

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List every item You could draw a circuit diagram to show how

the equipment is set up. Label anything that does not have a standard circuit symbol.

Include the range and resolution of the measuring instruments (you should have two different ones)

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PLAN AHEAD!

VARIABLES METHOD

Independent variable Name AND how it will be measured AND the RANGE and INTERVAL of its valuesDependent variableName AND how you will measure itControl variablesAt least TWO RELEVANT ones named AND for EACH one, HOW it will be controlled: say what its VALUE will be when you keep it constant

1. Step by step instructions

2. It is a good idea to number the steps.

3. Make sure they are in a logical order

4. 5. 6.

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Not enough space in the Method section?Put the Variables beside the Equipment list

Draw a blank table suitable for the method you have planned

It’s worth 2 marks Don’t forget to label each column clearly and

write the UNITS You MUST do this in EXAM CONDITIONS. Your

teacher should be able to mark it straight away but they CANNOT tell you what is wrong with it!

Make sure you write your NAME and hand it in.

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Part 1 is worth 20 marks, including your table. You are allowed to use your Research Notes during the exam.The exam is 45 minutesUse these resources to prepare for the exam:Research notes checklist10 Key Points for successAQA Glossary of TermsMarvellous Methods Investigations: Writing a Method Medal Sheet

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In Paper 1, you need to be able to turn your notes into a clear, ordered Method.

You have limited space to write, so practise writing it on ONE side of A4 ONLY

Divide the space into sections and include all the details you have in your notes.

Use the Writing a Method Medal Sheet to help you.

Show your work to your teacher and make any changes they suggest.

THINK PINK FOR LITERACY – GO GREEN TO IMPROVE•Well done – in this task you have:

To GO GREEN! You should now:

Over to you – re-write the THINK PINK section correcting the highlighted errors.

My response is …

Strengths, weaknesses and next steps

EK/RHS

Bronze

Can you •List the equipment you need, including at least one measuring instrument?•Name the independent variable and the dependent variable?•Give one way to make it a fair test?•State at least one safety precaution?•Describe what to do during the practical?

Silver

Can you•List all the apparatus, giving details of sizes or types? •Identify and give the range and intervals or values of the independent variable?•Identify and state how the dependent variable will be measured?•Name at least two control variables and say how they will be controlled?•Describe at least two hazards and link them to their control measures?•Describe the sequence of the practical work using correct English?

Gold

Can you•List all the apparatus, including the sizes or types and the range and/or precision of all measuring instruments?•Identify all relevant variables, stating how they will be measured and/or controlled?•Write a 3-part risk assessment, linking at least two hazards with their associated risks and control measures?•Describe the sequence of the practical work using almost faultless English?

Diamond

Can you explain•Your choice of key apparatus•How you selected the values of the independent variable•Why it is important to control extraneous variables?

Investigations: Writing a Method

This is what you need to doto get the full 9 marks in the Part 1 CAU exam

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Question 1 Hypothesis 3 marks

USE your Research Notes.• Write your hypothesis• Describe the relationship you

expect.

Question 2 Research sources 3 marks

USE your Research Notes•Identify two sources. •Say why you found one better than the other.

Question 3 Plan 9 marks

USE your Research Notes•Equipment list with details•Name the independent and dependent variables, giving details of how they will be measured and the range and interval of the IV.•Identify the control variables and say how they should be kept the same•Write instructions for the method in a logical order•Write a 3-part Risk Assessment (a table is best for this)•Spelling, punctuation and grammar MATTER for this question!

Question 4 3 marks

Will ask about one of the Key Terms, for example Zero error, Repeatability, Resolution, Anomalous results, Range.

Make sure you know what the words on the AQA Glossary of Terms mean and can explain why they are important.

Question 5 Results table 2 marks

Your blank results table. This should have been done in a lesson. Make sure it is handed in.

If you did not do one earlier, draw it in the space below the question.

Total 20 marks

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You may work individually or in groups You will be asked to use the equipment and follow the

method provided (this might not be the same as your own plan). You should be given a photocopy of instructions to follow.

If you do not understand what to do, make sure you ask for help.

You might be provided with a results table or the teacher can tell you how to arrange it.

TAKE PART! Make sure the teacher sees you taking some measurements and taking care to keep the control variables the same.

Highlight or put your initials (with a key) on the results to show the measurements you made.

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Temperature / °C Resistance / Ω KeyMeasurements I made are shown as

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34641 Range High School

You MUST do this by yourself Remember to use SHARP PENCIL and RULER! Decide if it should be a bar chart or a line graph:

If the IV is categoric (labels), draw a BAR CHART If the IV is continuous (numbers that have been

counted or measured), draw a LINE GRAPH The graph is worth 4 marks. Remember to make the graph take up more than

half the page. Label both axes with the name and units. Accurate plotting of all points and a line of best fit are worth a mark each.

The teacher cannot help you.

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Bronze

Silver

Gold

Diamond

THINK PINK FOR LITERACY

In this task you should THINK PINK for:

Plotting graphs

Axis/axesIndependent variableDependent variableAccurateUnitsContinuous dataCategoric dataAnomalous

EK Range High School 2013 Version 2 30/9

Can you •Plot coordinates on a graph using a tiny x?•Plot three or more coordinates or bars to within 2mm (the smallest square on the paper)?•Do you always use a sharp pencil and ruler?

Can you•Choose the correct variable for each axis?•Label BOTH axes clearly with the NAME of the variable and the UNITS it is measured in, or label each bar on a bar chart?

Can you•Choose a sensible scale for both axes so that the graph covers more than half the page?• Plot ⅘ of the points (or rule the tops of the bars) accurately, to within 1mm (half the smallest square on the paper)?•Draw bars on a bar chart equal widths, with a gap between each one?

Can you •Choose an appropriate graph for the data, giving a reason for your choice?•Plot ALL the points (or rule the tops of the bars) accurately, to within 1mm (half the smallest square on the paper)?•Draw a line of best fit, or explain why it is not appropriate?•Circle anomalous points?

Correct use of unitsCorrect spellingLegible handwriting, especially numbers

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You will have your Research notes, table and graph with you.

There will be Secondary Data sheets for use with some questions.

You will be required to: Analyse your own results Draw a conclusion Match your results to the hypothesis Evaluate the method and quality of data Analyse further secondary data Report your findings in the context set.

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Question 1 Your investigation 15 marks

USE your Research Notes, Results and Graph

Will ask about your own results and how they relate to some of the Key Terms, for example:

• Identify IV, DV and one Control Variable• State range of IV and explain whether it was

suitable. Examples from results• Interval in IV values. Suitable? Explain• Do your results support the hypothesis?

Examples from results• Repeated readings: what should you do with

them? (Explain HOW you calculate a mean). How do they improve the results?

• Anomalous results: identify and explain how you know. What should you do with them?

Make sure you know what the words on the AQA Glossary of Terms mean and can explain why they are important.

Question 2 Secondary Data 8 marks

a) Sketch graph. Rule 2 axes. Label both axes but NO numbers. SHAPE of line only, NO points plotted.

b) Case studies 1, 2, 3. Explain whether each one supports the hypothesis (one does, one does but has some kind of error, one has a different IV) Write about ALL of them, IDENTIFY each one clearly.

c) Case study 4. Conclusion about data.

Question 3 Context 3 marks

USE your Research Notes.

Explain how your investigation could be useful in context given.

Question 4 Graph 4 marks

You should have already done this. Check it is ready to hand in: labels AND units on BOTH axes. ALL points accurate. LoBF SMOOTH curve or RULED line as appropriate. Total 30 marks

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