STUDY GUIDE

Variables Module

An experiment in which one and only one variable is changed at a time

Controlled Experiment

Any motion or activity that repeats itself

Cycle

A mass hanging from a fixed point, free to swing back and forth when put in motion

Pendulum

The basic procedure in any experiment before changing any of the variables; what the results of a controlled experiment are compared to.

Standard

A graph that shows the outcome of a series of experiments when a variable is changed by steps.

Two-Coordinate Graph

The factor or condition that might change the outcome of an experiment

Variable

The maximum volume of fluid a container can hold

Capacity

The variable that is determined after the experiment is completed; graphed on the “y” axis.

Dependent Variable

The variable that is known before the experiment begins; graphed on the “x” axis.

Independent Variable

A set of objects that are related in some way and can be isolated for study.

System

Change one thing at a time

What does it mean to control variables?

Length of the pendulumMass at the end of the pendulum

Release position

Name the variables in a pendulum system

The longer the pendulum, the fewer swings it will make in 15 seconds.

State the relationship between the length of a swinger and the number of cycles it will make in 15 seconds.

Shorten the pendulum

If a grandfather clock is running too slowly, what could a person do to the clock to make it keep time accurately?

Capacity of the lifeboatArrangement of the pennies

Size of the boat

What variables are there when conducting a lifeboat investigation?

The greater the capacity, the more pennies it will hold before sinking.

State the relationship between the capacity of a lifeboat and the number of pennies it will hold before sinking.

Angle of the flight lineStarting positionNumber of winds on the propeller

Mass (number of pax)

Name the variables in a FOSS Plane System:

The more mass of a plane, the less distance it will fly.

State the relationship between mass (number of passengers) of a FOSS plane and the distance it will fly.

Angle of launchLength of the flipper stickNumber of spacers (pennies)

Mass of the object getting flipped

Name the variables in a flipper system:

The greater the angle, the farther the object will travel.

State the relationship between the angle of the base and the distance an object will travel when using the flipper system:

To increase its accuracy

Why do we repeat experiments?

A. Pendulum:StringPaper clipPenny (mass)Pencil (fixed point)

FOSS Plane:Plane bodyPropellerRubber band (power)Flight line

FlipperBaseCraft stickFlipper stickObject to flip

Name all the parts of the following systems:

STUDY, STUDY,

STUDY!!!