Experiments

Experiments and activities

Activity 1.4: Audit the fire extinguishers at schoolp. 13

Aim: To carry out an audit on fire extinguishers at school.

1. Record the types of fire extinguishers.
2. Record the expiry date of each fire extinguisher.
3. Record the pressure reading on each fire extinguisher.
4. Count the fire extinguishers of each type.
5. Mark where each fire extinguisher is on the school's emergency route plan.

Experiments and activities

Activity 2.1: Demonstration of CPRp. 24

Aim: To learn how to carry out the CPR procedure.

1. Organise a First Aid Course for Form 4 students with the St. John Ambulance of Malaysia (SJAM) or the Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS).
2. Contact the nearest SJAM or MRCS for more information about organising the course.
3. Request the paramedics to demonstrate the correct CPR procedure.

Experiments and activities

Activity 2.2: Demonstration of the Heimlich Manoeuvrep. 28

Aim: To learn how to carry out the Heimlich Manoeuvre.

1. Carry out this activity simultaneously with Activity 2.1.
2. Request the paramedics to show the correct procedure of performing the Heimlich Manoeuvre.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 3.1A: Human pulse rate based on genderp. 38

Aim: To study the effect of gender on the human pulse rate.

Manipulated variable

Gender

Responding variable

Pulse rate

Constant variable

Time period, age and type of physical activity

1. Hypothesis: females have higher pulse rate compared to males.
2. Work in pairs: count the pulse of the male students for 1 minute while a partner keeps the time with a stopwatch.
3. Record the pulse count in 1 minute, then repeat for the female students.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 3.1B: Human pulse rate based on agep. 38

Aim: To study the effect of age on the human pulse rate.

Manipulated variable

Age

Responding variable

Pulse rate

Constant variable

Time period, gender and type of physical activity

1. Hypothesis: the older a person is, the lower his pulse rate.
2. Count the pulse of a student for 1 minute while another student keeps the time.
3. Repeat with your teacher and the laboratory assistant, of the same gender as the student.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 3.1C: Human pulse rate based on physical activityp. 39

Aim: To study the effect of physical activity on the human pulse rate.

Manipulated variable

Type of physical activity

Responding variable

Pulse rate

Constant variable

Time period, age and gender

1. Hypothesis: the more vigorous the physical activity, the higher the pulse rate.
2. A student rests, walks and runs, each for two minutes, resting for 5 minutes before the next activity.
3. Count the pulse for 1 minute after each activity and record it in a table.

Experiments and activities

Activity 4.5: STEM Projectp. 69

Aim: To implement awareness campaigns through the Internet on issues pertaining to global warming and climate change phenomena.

1. Carry out this activity in groups.
2. Discuss and gather relevant information from academic journals or websites.
3. Create an online awareness campaign to overcome global warming and climate change phenomena.

Experiments and activities

Activity 5.8: Variation in height and body massp. 105

Aim: To investigate the type of variation for height and body mass among the students.

1. Measure the height of every student in the class with a measuring tape.
2. Record the height data in a table according to the height range of the students.
3. Plot a histogram of the number of students against the height range.
4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 for body mass, using a weighing machine.

Experiments and activities

Activity 5.9: Variation in tongue rollingp. 106

Aim: To investigate the type of variation for the ability to roll the tongue among students.

1. Gather information of those who are able and not able to roll their tongue in the class.
2. Record the data in a table.
3. Plot a bar chart of number of students against their ability to roll their tongue.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 6.1: Hollow bone versus compact bonep. 124

Aim: To compare the strength of the compact bone with the hollow bone.

Manipulated variable

Type of cylinders (hollow or compact)

Responding variable

Number of textbooks that can be supported by the cylinders

Constant variable

Length and diameter of the cylinder

1. Make four hollow paper cylinders with a diameter of 2.5 cm and stick them at the corners of a box cover (table model A).
2. Make four compact paper cylinders with a diameter of 2.5 cm and stick them at the corners of another box cover (table model B).
3. Place textbooks one by one on top of each table model until the paper rolls bend.
4. Record the number of textbooks each model can support.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 6.2: Growth pattern of a green bean plantp. 137

Aim: To study the growth pattern of a green bean plant.

Manipulated variable

Time

Responding variable

Height of sprout

Constant variable

Type of seed

1. Immerse three green bean seeds in a Petri dish filled with water until they swell, and keep them in a dark place for a night.
2. Transfer the seeds into another Petri dish filled with wet cotton wool.
3. Measure the length of each sprout with a ruler every day for seven days.
4. Calculate the average height and plot a graph of height (mm) against time (day).

Experiments and activities

Experiment 9.1: Hardness of alloys and pure metalsp. 186

Aim: To study the hardness of alloys compared to pure metals.

Manipulated variable

Types of metal blocks

Responding variable

Diameter of the dent

Constant variable

Diameter of steel ball, height of the weight, mass of the weight

1. Tape a steel ball to a copper block and hang a 1 kg weight 50 cm above it.
2. Release the weight so that it falls onto the steel ball.
3. Measure the diameter of the dent formed on the copper block with a ruler.
4. Repeat twice on different surfaces to obtain an average diameter.
5. Repeat the steps with a bronze block in place of the copper block.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 9.2: Resistance to corrosion of alloys and pure metalsp. 187

Aim: To study the resistance to corrosion of alloys as compared to pure metals.

Manipulated variable

Types of nails

Responding variable

The presence of brown layer on the nail

Constant variable

Size of nails, type of solution, duration of experiment

1. Rub both nails with sandpaper to clean their surfaces.
2. Fill test tubes P and Q with 10 ml of water.
3. Put the iron nail into test tube P and the steel nail into test tube Q.
4. Leave both test tubes in a test tube rack for a week, then record your observations.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 10.1: Slowing the oxidation of applesp. 216

Aim: To study the effects of different types of solution on the oxidation of apples.

Manipulated variable

The type of solution

Responding variable

Colour changes on apple slices

Constant variable

Surrounding temperature, size of apple slice

1. Prepare sugar solution, lime juice, sodium bicarbonate solution and common salt solution.
2. Cut an apple into five equal slices and put one slice in a Petri dish as a control.
3. Use forceps to soak each of the other slices in one of the four solutions.
4. After 1 minute, place the slices in a Petri dish and leave them exposed to air for 15 minutes.
5. Compare the colour of the soaked slices with the control slice.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 11.1: Determining g with a ticker timerp. 240

Aim: To determine the value of gravitational acceleration, g, using a ticker timer.

Manipulated variable

Mass of weight

Responding variable

Value of gravitational acceleration

Constant variable

Height of object released

1. Clamp the ticker timer vertically on a retort stand.
2. Put a 1 m ticker tape strip through the ticker timer and hang a 50 g weight on its end.
3. Switch on the ticker timer and release the weight.
4. Analyse the ticker tape to find g = (v − u) / t.
5. Repeat with heavier weights and compare the values of g.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 11.2: Free fall and non-free fallp. 244

Aim: To study the time taken for an object to fall during free fall and non-free fall motions.

Manipulated variable

Presence of air

Responding variable

Time taken for the object to fall to the rubber stopper

Constant variable

Height of object

1. Put pieces of paper into a transparent cylinder tube and close it with a rubber stopper.
2. Connect the tube to a vacuum pump.
3. Turn the tube upside down quickly and time the paper falling to the rubber stopper.
4. Pump out the air in the tube and repeat.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 11.3: Mass and inertiap. 248

Aim: To study the relationship between mass and inertia.

Manipulated variable

Mass of plasticine

Responding variable

Period of oscillation

Constant variable

Length of oscillating hacksaw blade, shape of plasticine

1. Clamp a hacksaw blade horizontally to a table leg with a G-clamp.
2. Stick 30 g of plasticine on the end of the blade.
3. Pull the end slightly and release it so it oscillates horizontally.
4. Time 10 complete oscillations and find the period, T.
5. Repeat with 40 g, 50 g, 60 g and 70 g of plasticine.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 1.1: Bacteria on fingersp. 17

Aim: To compare the growth of bacteria on sterile nutrient agar streaked with unwashed fingers, fingers washed with water only, and fingers washed with soap and water.

Manipulated variable

Cleanliness of the fingers which streak the sterile nutrient agar

Responding variable

Number of bacterial colonies on the sterile nutrient agar

Constant variable

Surrounding temperature

1. Streak the sterile nutrient agar in Petri dish A with unwashed fingers.
2. Wash with water only and streak Petri dish B; wash with soap and water and streak Petri dish C.
3. Do not streak Petri dish D.
4. Seal the lids with cellophane tape, invert the dishes and keep them in a dark cupboard at room temperature for three days.
5. Compare the number of bacterial colonies in each dish.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 1.2 (A): Effect of nutrients on Bacillus sp.p. 20

Aim: To study the effect of nutrients on the growth of Bacillus sp.

Manipulated variable

Presence of nutrients

Responding variable

Number of colonies of Bacillus sp.

Constant variable

Volume of Bacillus sp. culture solution and surrounding temperature

1. Prepare Petri dish A with sterile nutrient agar and Petri dish B with sterile non-nutrient agar.
2. Sterilise the wire loop in a Bunsen burner flame until it glows, then let it cool.
3. Dip the wire loop in the Bacillus sp. culture solution and smear it in a zigzag on the agar.
4. Seal, invert and keep both dishes in a dark cupboard for three days.
5. Compare the number of bacterial colonies.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 1.3: Effect of penicillin on bacteriap. 37

Aim: To study the effect of concentration of antibiotic (penicillin) on the growth of bacteria (Bacillus sp.).

Manipulated variable

Concentration of antibiotic

Responding variable

Area of clear region

Constant variable

Type of bacteria (Bacillus sp.)

1. Spread Bacillus sp. culture solution on sterile nutrient agar in a Petri dish.
2. Place filter paper discs soaked in distilled water and in penicillin of different concentrations on the agar.
3. Seal the dish and keep it in a dark cupboard at room temperature for three days.
4. Measure the area of the clear region around each disc with a transparent grid sheet.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 2.1: Calorific value of food samplesp. 51

Aim: To estimate the calorific value of several samples of food using a calorimeter.

Manipulated variable

Type of food sample

Responding variable

Change in temperature/calorific value of food

Constant variable

Mass of water

1. Use 1 g each of groundnuts, bread and anchovies, and 10 g of water in the boiling tube.
2. Record the type and mass of the food sample, the mass of water and the initial temperature.
3. Set the food sample alight under the boiling tube.
4. Record the final temperature after the food sample has been completely burnt.
5. Calculate the calorific value of each food sample from the change in temperature.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 2.2: Macronutrient deficiencyp. 60

Aim: To study the effects of macronutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) deficiency on plant growth.

Manipulated variable

Type of culture solution

Responding variable

Growth of plant

Constant variable

Volume of culture solution, size and type of seedlings, light and temperature

1. Grow maize seedlings in boiling tubes of complete culture solution and culture solutions without nitrogen, phosphorus or potassium.
2. Place the set-up in a bright place near the laboratory window.
3. Pump air into each culture solution for 5 minutes every day.
4. Replace each culture solution once a week with the same type of culture solution.
5. After two weeks, record the size of plant, colour of leaves and growth of roots.

Experiments and activities

Activity 3.5: Water pollution levelp. 102

Aim: To determine the water pollution level in different water samples.

Manipulated variable

Type of water sample

Responding variable

Time taken for methylene blue solution to decolourise

Constant variable

Volume of methylene blue solution

1. Fill four reagent bottles A, B, C and D with different water samples.
2. Add 1 cm³ of 0.1% methylene blue solution into each bottle using a syringe and close the bottles.
3. Keep all the reagent bottles in a dark cupboard.
4. Observe the colour every 30 minutes and record the time taken for the methylene blue solution to decolourise.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 4.1: Temperature and rate of reactionp. 125

Aim: To study the effect of temperature of reactants on rate of reaction.

Manipulated variable

Temperature of sodium thiosulphate solution

Responding variable

Time taken until 'X' is no longer visible

Constant variable

Concentration and volume of sodium thiosulphate solution, concentration and volume of sulphuric acid and size of conical flask

1. Pour 50 cm³ of 0.2 mol dm⁻³ sodium thiosulphate solution into a conical flask and record its temperature.
2. Place the conical flask on the 'X' on the white paper.
3. Pour 5 cm³ of 1 mol dm⁻³ sulphuric acid into the flask and start the stopwatch.
4. Stop the stopwatch once the 'X' is no longer visible and calculate 1/time.
5. Repeat with sodium thiosulphate solution heated to 35 °C, 40 °C, 45 °C and 50 °C.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 4.2: Concentration and rate of reactionp. 128

Aim: To study the effect of concentration of reactants on the rate of reaction.

Manipulated variable

Concentration of sodium thiosulphate solution

Responding variable

Time taken until 'X' is no longer visible

Constant variable

Volume of sodium thiosulphate solution, concentration and volume of sulphuric acid and size of conical flask

1. Pour 50 cm³ of 0.20 mol dm⁻³ sodium thiosulphate solution into a conical flask on the 'X'.
2. Pour 5 cm³ of 1 mol dm⁻³ sulphuric acid into the flask and start the stopwatch.
3. Stop the stopwatch once the 'X' is no longer visible and calculate 1/time.
4. Repeat with 0.16, 0.12, 0.08 and 0.04 mol dm⁻³ sodium thiosulphate solution.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 4.3: Size of solid reactantsp. 129

Aim: To study the effect of size of solid reactants on rate of reaction.

Manipulated variable

Size of marble

Responding variable

Time taken to collect 30.00 cm³ of gas

Constant variable

Temperature, mass of marble, concentration and volume of hydrochloric acid

1. Invert a burette filled with water in a basin of water and record the initial reading.
2. Put 2 g of large marble chips into 40 cm³ of 0.1 mol dm⁻³ dilute hydrochloric acid in a conical flask.
3. Close the flask with a stopper and delivery tube leading under the burette, and start the stopwatch.
4. Stop the stopwatch when 30.00 cm³ of gas is collected.
5. Repeat with small marble chips of the same mass.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 4.4: Presence of catalystp. 131

Aim: To study the effect of presence of catalyst on rate of reaction.

Manipulated variable

Presence of catalyst

Responding variable

Time taken to collect 30.00 cm³ of gas

Constant variable

Temperature, volume and concentration of hydrochloric acid

1. Put 2 g of zinc pieces into 40 cm³ of 0.1 mol dm⁻³ dilute hydrochloric acid and collect the gas in an inverted burette.
2. Record the time taken to collect 30.00 cm³ of gas.
3. Repeat with 5 cm³ of 0.5 mol dm⁻³ copper(II) sulphate solution added to the acid.
4. Do not ignite the gas in the burette, because hydrogen and air can explode.

Experiments and activities

Activity 5.5: Preparing ethanol through fermentationp. 151

Aim: To prepare ethanol through fermentation.

1. Put 100 g of sugar and 50 cm³ of distilled water into a beaker and stir to form a sugar solution.
2. Add 10 g of yeast and pour the mixture into a conical flask connected to a test tube of limewater.
3. Keep the set-up in the laboratory for a week and observe the mixture and the limewater.
4. Filter the mixture and distil the filtrate.
5. Collect the distillate at a temperature of 78 °C and record its colour and smell.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 5.1: Producing soapp. 167

Aim: To produce soap through saponification.

1. Pour 10 cm³ of palm oil into a clean beaker.
2. Add 50 cm³ of 5 mol dm⁻³ concentrated sodium hydroxide solution.
3. Stir and boil the mixture for 5 minutes.
4. Stop heating, then add 50 cm³ of distilled water and three spatula full of sodium chloride.
5. Stir and boil the mixture again for 5 minutes, then filter it.
6. Rinse the residue with distilled water and dry it.
7. Shake the residue with a little water in a test tube and test it with red and blue litmus papers.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 6.1: Electrolysis in solid, molten and aqueous statesp. 180

Aim: To study the electrolysis of ionic compounds in solid, molten and aqueous states.

Manipulated variable

State of ionic compound, namely solid, molten or aqueous

Responding variable

Condition of light bulb

Constant variable

Type of electrode

1. Teacher's demonstration in a fume chamber: half-fill a dry crucible with solid lead(II) bromide powder.
2. Connect the carbon electrodes, switch, battery and light bulb, turn on the switch and observe the bulb.
3. Heat the lead(II) bromide until it melts and repeat the test.
4. Half-fill an electrolytic cell with 0.1 mol dm⁻³ copper(II) sulphate solution and turn on the switch for 5 minutes.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 6.2: Position of ions in the electrochemical seriesp. 184

Aim: To study the effect of the position of ions in the electrochemical series on the tendency of the ion to be discharged at the electrode.

Manipulated variable

Position of ion in the electrochemical series

Responding variable

Product at electrode

Constant variable

Concentration of electrolyte and type of electrode

1. Half-fill an electrolytic cell with 0.5 mol dm⁻³ magnesium nitrate solution.
2. Fill two test tubes with the solution and invert them over the electrodes.
3. Turn on the switch and turn it off when a test tube is almost full of gas.
4. Test the gas with a glowing wooden splinter and a burning wooden splinter.
5. Repeat with sodium sulphate solution.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 6.3: Concentration of ionsp. 187

Aim: To study the effect of concentration of ions in electrolytes on the selection of ion to be discharged at the anode.

Manipulated variable

Concentration of ion in electrolyte

Responding variable

Product at anode

Constant variable

Type of electrode

1. Half-fill an electrolytic cell with 1.0 mol dm⁻³ hydrochloric acid and invert two full test tubes over the electrodes.
2. Turn on the switch and turn it off when the test tube at the anode is almost full of gas.
3. Test the gas with a glowing wooden splinter, and moist blue and red litmus papers.
4. Repeat with 0.0001 mol dm⁻³ hydrochloric acid.

Experiments and activities

Experiment 6.4: Type of electrodep. 190

Aim: To study the effect of the type of electrode on the selection of ion to be discharged at the electrode.

Manipulated variable

Type of electrode (carbon or copper)

Responding variable

Product of electrolysis at the anode

Constant variable

Type and concentration of electrolyte

1. Half-fill an electrolytic cell with 0.1 mol dm⁻³ copper(II) sulphate solution using carbon electrodes.
2. Invert a test tube full of the solution over the anode and turn on the switch.
3. Test any gas released with a glowing wooden splinter.
4. Repeat with copper electrodes.

Experiments and activities

Activity 7.2: Focal length of a convex lensp. 206

Aim: To determine the focal length of a convex lens using a distant object.

1. Set up a convex lens in a lens holder with a white screen and a metre rule.
2. Point the convex lens towards a distant object seen through an open window.
3. Adjust the position of the white screen until a sharp image of the distant object forms on it.
4. Measure the distance between the centre of the convex lens and the screen; this is the focal length, f.

Experiments and activities

Activity 8.1: Pascal's equipmentp. 222

Aim: To explain Pascal's principle using Pascal's equipment.

1. Place the round-bottom flask with fine pores and piston in a large beaker of water.
2. Pull the piston up until water fills the flask.
3. Remove the flask from the beaker and push the piston into the flask.
4. Observe and sketch the direction of water shooting out from the fine pores.

Experiments and activities

Activity 8.2: Venturi tubep. 228

Aim: To explain Bernoulli's principle by using a Venturi tube.

1. Close the clip, turn on the tap and let tubes X, Y and Z fill with water.
2. Compare the height of the water level in tubes X, Y and Z.
3. Open the clip and the tap so that water flows continuously through the glass tube.
4. Compare the water levels in tubes X, Y and Z again.

Experiments and activities

Activity 9.6: How often the ISS orbits Earthp. 241

Aim: To calculate the frequency of the ISS orbiting Earth in a day.

1. Carry out this activity in groups.
2. Use the orbital height and speed of the ISS from Activity 9.2 and the radius of Earth (6.37 × 10⁶ m).
3. Calculate the period of orbit, T = 2π × (orbital height + radius of Earth) ÷ speed of satellite.
4. Divide 86400 s (1 day) by T to get the frequency of the ISS orbiting Earth in a day.
5. Present your group's calculation to the class.

Experiments and activities

Activity 9.8: Navigating with GPS coordinatesp. 245

Aim: To navigate from one location to another within the school using GPS coordinates.

1. Carry out this activity in groups in an open area in school such as the school field.
2. Mark five locations with a minimum distance of 10 m between each location.
3. Use a GPS receiving device such as a smartphone to determine the GPS coordinates at each location.
4. Record the coordinates of the five locations in DMS and DD formats.