Example of Experimental Framework Questions.

(Paper 3 Section B)
Question on Inertia (F4: 2.3.Inertia)

Inference The mass of an object affects its inertia.

Hypothesis When the mass of an object increases, its inertia also increases
Aim To investigate the relationship between mass and inertia
Variables Manipulated Variable: Mass, m
Responding Variable: Inertia, T (Measure by period of oscillation of the
hacksaw blade)
Fixed Variable: length of the hacksaw blade
Apparatus Hacksaw blade, G-clamp, plasticine of different masses, stopwatch and 3-
beam balance
Set Up
Diagram

Procedure 1. The apparatus is set up as shown in the diagram above

2. A 50 g plasticine ball is fixed to one end of the blade.
3. The blade is displaced horizontally and release, and a stopwatch is
started simultaneously.
4. The time taken for 20 complete oscillations is recorded and the
period of oscillation is calculated.
5. The experiment is repeated with mass, m= 100 g, 150 g, 200 g and 250
g

Tabulation of Data obtained will be tabulated in a table as shown below.

data Mass of Time for 20 oscillations Period of oscillation, T/s
plasticine, m/ g t/s (t/20)
50
100
150
200
250
Analysis of Data obtained will be analysed by plotting a graph as shown below
Data
T /s

m/ g