Example of Experimental Framework Questions.

(Paper 3 Section B)
Question on volume of water displacement and buoyant force (F4: 3.5 Archimedes
Principle)

Inference The buoyant force depends on the depth of immersion

Hypothesis When the depth of immersion increases, buoyant force also increases
Aim To investigate the relationship between depth of immersion and buoyant force
Variables Manipulated Variable: Depth of immersion, d
Responding Variable: Buoyant force, FB (Measure by the weight lost when
immerse in water, FB =WO -W)
Fixed Variable: Diameter of the cylindrical rod used/Density of the liquid
Apparatus Spring balance, cylindrical rod, water, beaker and retort stand
Set Up
Diagram

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

2. The weight of the cylindrical rod in air, WO N is measured by using
the spring balance and its value is recorded
3. The rod is lowered into water until a depth, d=10.0 cm.
4. The reading in the spring balance W N is recorded
5. The buoyant force FB is calculated using the formula, FB = WO -W
6. The experiment is repeated with depth, d= 20.0 cm, 30.0 cm, 40.0 cm and
50.0 cm

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

data
Depth of Spring balance Spring balance Buoyant force, FB
immersion, d/cm reading when reading when /N
in air, immerse in water, (FB = WO -W)
WO /N W/N
10.0
20.0
30.0
40.0
50.0
Analysis of Data obtained will be analysed by plotting a graph as shown below
Data
FB /N

d /cm