SUBJECT Lower Secondary Science Year 9

TOPIC Engineering and Technology

ASSIGNMENT Three

STUDENT NAME

FEEDBACK AND REFLECTION:

 I have read the feedback on my last assignment carefully.

 I have considered whether any of that feedback is relevant to this assignment.

One thing I will try to do either the same or differently in this assignment as a result of my previous
feedback is: _______________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

ASSIGNMENT GUIDANCE:

• You should complete this assignment by carrying out Practical 2: Speed of sound on this sheet
and then handwriting in black ink both the Practical 2: Speed of sound and the assignment
questions that follow on, unless you have obtained specific permission through your SPM to
submit typed work. Then scan it in and submit it, as a single document.

• This is not a timed assignment. We estimate that this assignment may take you between 1 and 2
hours for the practical, and between 40 and 60 minutes for the assignment itself. However, if
you need to take longer, then please do so.

• Make sure you write your full name clearly in the box at the top of this page.

• In order to complete this assignment, you will need a calculator, ruler, your coursebook and
notes.
LS SCIENCE YEAR 9 ASSIGNMENT 03

LS Science Assignment Three

PRACTICAL: SPEED OF SOUND

Can you measure the speed of sound?

Sound is not an electromagnetic wave. It behaves in some of the same ways, but in other ways it is
very different. One similarity is that it will reflect off flat surfaces like electromagnetic waves. One
difference is that it travels a million times slower. Scientists need to use complicated equipment to
calculate the speed of light, but you can measure the speed of sound using a large space, like a
field, a loud noise, and a friend!

Apparatus

You will need:

• Two pieces of wood to bash together to make a loud sound (there must be some sort of
visual signal when you make the sound as well; in this case, you would see the pieces of
wood hitting each other).

• Some way of measuring long distances – you could use a tape measure to its full extent,
then mark the end and measure another full length. If you had a tape measure which was
10m long, you would have to lay it out end to end ten times to get 100m measured out
accurately.

• Stopwatch

• Someone to help you

Method

Read the whole thing through before you start and answer the questions as you go. You will need to
design your own table before you get started.

• Measure out a long distance in a wide-open space. The longer the better.

• Stand one person at each end of the distance you have marked out. One should have the
stopwatch (we will call them the timer), the other should have the sticks (the signaler).

• When the timer sees the signaler hitting the sticks together, they should press start on the
stopwatch. As soon as the sound arrives at the timer’s ears, they should press stop.

• Record your distance and time results on the table. This works because light travels so
quickly, it is almost instantaneous – as soon as the signaler hits the sticks together, that
information has reached the timer’s eyes. The sound takes a little longer to get there.

• Repeat three times at that distance.

• Measure out another distance. Repeat the experiment three times at this new distance.

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LS SCIENCE YEAR 9 ASSIGNMENT 03

• You may test additional distances if you wish.

1. This question covers the practical.

Results

a. Use this space to draw a table in which to record your results.

(3 marks)

b. Calculate the mean or average time taken for the sound to travel at each distance.

___________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

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LS SCIENCE YEAR 9 ASSIGNMENT 03

c. Calculate the speed of sound for each distance. Use the following equation: speed = distance
÷ average time. Make sure all your units match – you cannot use feet to measure distance
and then expect to get speed in metres per second!
___________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

Conclusion

d. What distance gave you the closest speed value to the accepted speed of sound (340m/s)?

___________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

e. How could you make this experiment more valid? How could you make your results more
reliable?

___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________

(2 marks)
(Total 8 marks)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

2. Bob builds this simple signalling circuit.

a. The circuit contains an LED. Put a ring around the LED.

(1 mark)

b. Bob presses the switch to make the LED glow. Complete this block diagram for the signalling
circuit. Choose from these words.

battery LED resistor switch

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LS SCIENCE YEAR 9 ASSIGNMENT 03

(2 marks)
(Total 3 marks)

3.

a. The diagram below shows the electromagnetic spectrum with some parts left blank. Write X-
rays in the correct box.

(1 mark)

b. Dentists often take an X-ray image of teeth as part of a regular check up. Some people worry
about the risk to their health from the X-rays. Explain what the risk is and possible
consequences.

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

(2 marks)
(Total 3 marks)

4. The diagram shows part of a digital signal about to be sent to a receiver.

a.

i. How can you see that this is a digital signal and not an analogue signal?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

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LS SCIENCE YEAR 9 ASSIGNMENT 03

ii. This is the same signal, when received some distance from the transmitter.

Explain how you can see that this is the same signal.

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

b. The digital signal in part (a)(i) has the code 10100100101. The diagram below is a short part
of another digital signal.

The diagram below is a short part of another digital signal.

Write down the code for this signal in the table below. Part of the code has been done for
you.

(1 mark)
(Total 3 marks)

5. This question is about communications.

a. Look at the diagram of an optical fibre.

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LS SCIENCE YEAR 9 ASSIGNMENT 03

A ray of light travels in the fibre. It comes out at the other end. Describe how the light travels
through the fibre. You may draw on the diagram to help your answer.

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

(2 marks)

b. Look at the three diagrams. They show the path of light at the boundary between glass and
air.

Which diagram shows total internal reflection (TIR)? Write the letter.

______________

(1 mark)

c. Infrared sensors are used to switch on security lights when someone moves near the
detector.

Where does the infrared radiation that is detected come from?

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

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LS SCIENCE YEAR 9 ASSIGNMENT 03

(1 mark)
(Total 4 marks)

6. Jack compared the reaction times of ten different pupils in his class. He dropped a metre ruler
between each pupil’s finger and thumb. As soon as they saw the ruler begin to move, they had to
catch it as quickly as possible.

a. Jack did not measure time to compare pupils’ reactions. What did Jack measure to compare
pupils’ reaction times?

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

b. Why was it more accurate to use the ruler rather than a stopwatch in this investigation?

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

c. What factor did Jack change as he carried out his investigation (the independent variable)?

_______________________

(1 mark)

d. Give two factors he should have kept the same to make his test valid.

1. __________________________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________________________

(2 marks)

e. What could he do to make his results more reliable?

____________________________________________________________________________

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LS SCIENCE YEAR 9 ASSIGNMENT 03

____________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)
(Total 6 marks)

7. Some pupils investigate whether double glazing or roof insulation is more efficient at reducing
heat loss from houses.

They have a model house which can have these features:

• window with single glazing

• window with double glazing
• roof without insulation
• roof with insulation

a. A temperature sensor and a small lamp are placed inside the house. What electronic
component can be used as a temperature sensor in a simple circuit?

_______________________________ (1 mark)

b. The lamp is used as a heat source. When the model house reaches a given temperature, the
lamp is switched off. A datalogger then records temperature regularly over time.

i. What can the combination of single glazing and no roof insulation tell pupils that is
relevant to their investigation?

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

ii. Which two combinations must they use to find the more efficient way of preventing heat
loss in their model house?

_________________________________ and _____________________________________

_________________________________ and _____________________________________

(2 marks)

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LS SCIENCE YEAR 9 ASSIGNMENT 03

c. The pupils predicted that the roof insulation will be more effective than double glazing at
reducing heat loss. What evidence would support this prediction?

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

d. On the grid below, sketch the shape of the two graphs you would expect to see on the
cataloguer if the pupils’ prediction is correct. You do not need to add scales to the axes.

(2 marks)
(Total 7 marks)

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LS SCIENCE YEAR 9 ASSIGNMENT 03

8. Wind is an energy resource.

a. Wind turbines supply energy.

Suggest two disadvantages of using wind turbines.

1._________________________________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________________________

(2 marks)

b. People in many countries are trying to increase the number of wind turbines. Suggest why
(give 2 reasons)

1._________________________________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________________________

(2 marks)

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LS SCIENCE YEAR 9 ASSIGNMENT 03

c. Look at the list of energy sources.

Tick the two renewable energy sources.

(2 marks)

(Total 6 marks)

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LS SCIENCE YEAR 9 ASSIGNMENT 03

9. The drawings below show six ways of providing energy.

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LS SCIENCE YEAR 9 ASSIGNMENT 03

a. From the previous page, give the names of two fossil fuels.

1. _________________________________

2. _________________________________

(2 marks)

b.

i. What is the source of energy for a solar panel?

__________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

ii. Why can the solar panel not work at night?

__________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

c. What makes the blades of the turbine in drawing B go round?

____________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)

d. Renewable energy resources will not run out. From the previous page, give one energy
source that will not run out.

____________________________________________________________________________

(1 mark)
(Total 6 marks)

TOTAL FOR ASSIGNMENT 46 MARKS

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