Which type of sugar dissolves best?

Which type of sugar dissolves best?

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about what to keep the same or change for a fair test.

Sugar dissolves easily in water. Jane set up the following experiment to see which type of sugar dissolves best. 

The sugars tested were: 

  • White sugar
  • Brown sugar
  • Icing sugar
  • Castor sugar
Spoonfuls of sugar were added to the water one at a time. The solution was stirred until no more sugar dissolved. The number of spoonfuls was counted. Fresh water was used for each test.
 
For this to be a fair test which of the following would need to be kept the same?

 

Kept the same?
Circle yes or no

a)   The temperature of the water

Yes / No

b)   The type of sugar

Yes / No

c)   The volume of water

Yes / No

d)   The amount of stirring

Yes / No

e)   The size of the spoon

Yes / No
Task administration: 
This task can be completed with pencil and paper.
Level:
4
Curriculum info: 
Science, Investigating in science, Material World
Keywords: 
changes, dissolving, fair testing, variables
Description of task: 
Students indicate for each of six different variables those that need to be kept the same for an investigation about dissolving different types of sugar.
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
Making Better Sense: 
Dissolving
Answers/responses: 
  

Y8 (05/2000)
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)		 Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes

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

In trialling the students scored 70% or more in each part.