Physical inquiry resources

Using the principles of fair testing, students identify four factors that could affect the time it takes for electric jugs to boil water.

This whole investigation requires students to find out how spring stretch is affected by different masses pulling on it. There is also a section for planning a similar investigation and a processing section using some provided data.

This practical task requires students to plan, process, and evaluate an investigation on types of fruit and the voltage that each can produce.

Students are provided with information and data on different makes of soccer balls. Students answer questions on fair testing, and write conclusions from the given data.

Task: Answer two questions about setting up a fair test and another about insulating houses. Assessment focus: controlling variables.

Students answer five questions interpreting data on temperature decrease in three different types of cups.

For this practical task students investigate the magnetic fields that exist around a horseshoe magnet. Students then use two bar magnets to investigate what happens when similar and unlike poles are facing each other.

This practical task requires students to use a plastic comb and wool to generate static electricity. Students investigate different materials to find those that are attracted to the static charge.

Task: Plan a fair test to see which of two solar showers of different colours heats up more. Assessment focus: controlling variables.

Students carry out and make observations about water in a straw, and suction. Students are then required to explain their observations.

Decide if a described investigation is a fair test, and explain the decision. Assessment focus: identifying fair testing.

Task: Discuss opinions, presented as a concept cartoon, about why a toy car rolled down a slope eventually stops and develop group explanation. Assessment focus: explanations

Task: Predict, observe and explain what will happen when a balloon containing another balloon filled with water is thrown. Assessment focus: making and explaining predictions and observations.

Task: Select the most suitable thermometer to use for different purposes and answer two questions about scale. Assessment focus: making measurements decisions.

Task: Select cards to show how to control the variables of an investigation into the rolling distance of marbles on different surfaces. Assessment focus: controlling variables.

For this practical task students investigate convection currents when tea leaves are placed into a beaker of water that is being heated. They are asked to make observations and to provide an explanation of what they have observed.

This practical task is about heat absorption. From a given list students choose the equipment they would use to heat cold tap water as much as possible. Students complete the investigation, explain why each piece of equipment was selected, and record their results.

For this practical students make observations on water flow from three holes set at different heights in a container. They also investigate the effect on water flow if the top is on or off the container.

Task: Predict, observe and explain what will happen when a balloon containing another balloon filled with water is thrown. Assessment focus: making and explaining predictions and observations.

Task: Predict, observe and explain what will happen when a balloon containing another balloon filled with water is thrown. Assessment focus: making and explaining predictions and observations.

This practical task requires students to plan a method to determine which magnet is the strongest. Students carry out their plan, record results and write a conclusion.

Students investigate energy transfer by colliding marbles, explaining their observations, and what happens to the energy of the moving marble on impact.

Students describe the images seen in flat and convex mirrors.

Task: Predict, observe, and explain where a piece of wood floats in a container of water and oil. Assessment focus: flotation related to density; explaining predictions.

Task: Predict which of three balls dropped from different heights will squash most, explain why, and design an investigation to test prediction. Assessment focus: acceleration and fair testing.