1. Naming Equipment

2. Investigative Terminology KeywordDefinition Independent variable The things that are being kept the same Dependent variableIf all your repeat readings are very close together Control variablesThe variable that you are changing ReproducibleThe idea that you are testing RepeatableThe variable you are measuring HypothesisIf other groups get the same pattern or results as you

3. Risk Assessments These are carried out to make sure that we all do investigative work safely You have to think about the things that could go wrong, what injury they could cause and how you can prevent them. They are usually set out in a table: Hazard – what could cause an injury? Risk – what injury could it cause? Control – How could you prevent the injury? Glassware (beakers, test tubes etc.) CutsDon’t put glassware near the edge of the bench. Sweep up broken glass. ChemicalBurns to skin and eyesWear goggles, tie hair back, wash off skin immediately Bunsen BurnersBurnsWear goggles, tie hair back.

4. Writing a Method A scientific method needs to contain several things: – An equipment list (including size of glassware and strengths of chemicals) – A diagram showing how to set up the experiment – A step-by-step how to do the experiment (a bit like a recipe) – What you are going to measure, change and keep the same – How you are going to keep your control variables the same – A risk assessment

5. Writing a Method Have a go at writing a method for this practical: – You are going to time how long it takes for 1cm pieces of magnesium to dissolve in 1.0Mol/dm 3 hydrochloric acid.