Term 1 Test Reflections

The term 1 test results are out and sadly, the results are not as good as I expected.

This time, I got 27.5/40 for my Science test. This was a B3 and it was not a very good start for the year's tests. That score was just half a mark away from an A2 but I don't think I deserved an A2.

In this test, I did fairly well for the MCQ section, scoring 12/15. My score should have been 14/15 but due to the fact that I inverted the answers for Q1 and Q2, which was supposed to be 'D' and 'A' respectively but I put it as 'A' and 'D' respectively instead. This was an extremely careless mistake on my part otherwise I could have gotten better grades.

Also, I did not study in detail for this test, resulting in this kind of results. I did not do well for Section B, especially the question which required us to draw a graph. Not being very clear on how to draw a graph, I got the whole question wrong!! This was a mistake not to be made on my part.

For my next test, I indeed have to study harder and score better grades so time to study!!

5th Practical Lesson: 1P6 Measurement of Length

16/2/11
Another practical lesson as usual and this time, it was about the measurement of length. I know, I know the topic sounds boring and old and you were willing to bet that it involved a meter rule. Well, you were right but that was not all we used...We also used the two tools seen. They are the vernier calipers and the micrometer screw gauge.

First, We started off with gathering our apparatus. Namely:

1. Meter rule
2. Vernier Calipers
3. Micrometer screw gauge
4. Small beaker (50ml)
5. Ball bearing
6. Short piece of thick wire

With this done, we then proceeded on to conducting the procedure itself. We were first supposed to examine the meter rule and find its smallest reading. After that, we were tasked to find the height of our seat from 4 different positions and then find the average height itself. 


The next experiment was to get the vernier calipers and check for the smallest reading and also the zero error of the vernier calipers. This is to make sure that we do not have any mistakes in our measurements. Next, we had to measure the internal diameter of the beaker at 3 different positions, likewise for the external diameter. We then compiled the data into a table where the results could be seen and a conclusion could be made easily.


Next was the experiment using a micrometer screw gauge. We had to use the micrometer screw gauge to measure the diameters of the wire and the ball bearing. We had to repeat the measuring 3 times. From there, we could get the average results and also make a conclusion from there.


The next step was to compare our findings with our hypotheses. In this experiment, there was no hypotheses to make as there was no question to answer. 

That step unnecessary, we proceeded to answer some questions posed by our teacher. The first question was to ask what instruments we would use to measure accurately the diameter and thickness of the coin. Next question came the one where we had to apply the knowledge and use it to create a procedure to measure the diameter of a long piece of wire without using a micrometer screw gauge.


Answer: 


     "Wrap the long wire along the length of the glass rod making sure that there are no gaps in between each turn. Count the number of turns along the length of the glass rod. Measure the length of the glass rod. Measure the length of the glass rod with the meter rule. Divide the length of the glass rod by the number of turns of the long wire along the glass rod. The thickness and the diameter can thus be obtained."


This answer was not what I expected it to be and the question expected us to think out of the box in order to find a solution for the problem.


This practical was fun and interesting and it taught me a lot more about what we can think about to solve problems.

4th Practical Lesson: 1P5 Observations and Recording Part 2

2/2/11
Yet another practical lesson which we looked forward to. Today, we would be continue from where we left off from last week. We would be doing experiments and of course observing and recording the results. The first experiment was to use the thermometer and we were all excited and eager to get on with it.

Of course being as I was, a cautious person, I awaited instructions from my LSS teacher, Mr Low, who was back from re-service. He gave us instructions on what to do for the experiment and some things to take note of.We were to set up an experiment to heat water.

We then had to record our findings in a table so as to compile the information and then we can look through and analyse the data more easily. Also, we can make a conclusion from the data and prove if our hypotheses is right. In the end, I came up with a graph and proved my hypotheses of there being impurities in the water resulting in the temperature of the water rising to 101.5 degrees Celsius before remaining constant, signifying that 101.5 degrees Celsius is its boiling point.

We had to draw a best fit graph and I am not very skillful at drawing graphs, thus I may have to practise more. I still think that the water from the tap, is still clean but is "dirty" to some extent. This is due to the fact that there are some minerals present in the water. Maybe I could find out how this water is purified. I am looking forward to the next practical lesson!