Burning peanuts

Burning peanuts

Pencil and paperOnline interactive
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Working with Students
Further Resources
This task is about your understanding of carrying out science investigations.

A group of students carried out an experiment to heat water using the energy from a burning peanut.

This is a diagram of their experiment.

burning-peanut.png

Question 2Change answer

They found that the temperature of the water rose by 20°C.
 
a)   What are three ways they could change this experiment to get a greater temperature increase?

Question 2Change answer

The students decided to repeat the experiment to compare the temperature increase they would get from burning a biscuit.
 
b) To make this a fair test what are the two most important experimental conditions that should be kept the same?
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper or online.
Copyright: 
Graphic: NZCER
Level:
5
Curriculum info: 
Science, Investigating in science, Material World
Keywords: 
energy, fair testing
Description of task: 
Students are given an experimental setup of heating water with a burning peanut and are asked how they could change this in three ways to get a greater temperature increase. Students are also asked to give two important experimental conditions that should remain the same if the experiment was repeated.
Curriculum Links: 
Science capabilities
The capabilities focus is brought about by the conversations you have and the questions you ask.
 
Capability: Gather and interpret data
This resource provides opportunities to discuss the importance of controlling variables when using fair testing for an investigation.
 
Science capabilities: 
Gather and interpret data
Answers/responses: 

 

Y10 (06/2001)

a)

Any 3 of:

  • Use more peanuts/larger peanut.
  • Use less water.
  • Put peanut closer to water.
  • Insulate the beaker/cover the beaker.
  • Put the peanut under the beaker more quickly.
  • Any other acceptable suggestion.

3 correct - difficult
 
2 correct - moderate
 
1 correct - very easy

b)

Any 2 of: 

  • Same amount water.
  • Same amount/weight/mass of biscuit.
  • Same distance from beaker.
  • Same starting temperature of water.
  • Same type/kind of beaker.

2 correct - moderate
 
1 correct - very easy
Diagnostic and formative information: 
 

Analysis of Correct Responses

a)

61% mentioned use more peanuts/larger peanut.
80% mentioned use less water.
28% mentioned put peanut closer to water.
3 % mentioned insulate/cover the beaker.

b)

80% mentioned same amount of water.
23% mentioned same weight/mass of biscuit.
28% mentioned same distance from beaker.
9% mentioned same initial temperature of water.
4% mentioned same type/kind of beaker.