Change of State Scientific Inquiry

Miss Jackson has asked you to investigate how the colour of the ice cube affects the temperature as it
is heated.

What is the topic of To investigate how the colour of the ice cube affects the temperature as it
my investigation? is heated.
Aim
e.g. to determine…,
to investigate…

INDEPENDENT
change the colour of the ice cube.
VARIABLE:
Variables The variable that
you will
change

DEPENDENT
measure the temperature (degrees or ˚c) of the ice.
VARIABLE:
The variable that
you will

measure

Write a statement
The coloured ice cube can affect the temp as it is heated (burning)
that describes the
independent and
Hypothesis
dependent
variables.

 Stopwatch
 Thermometer
 Bunsen burner
List of equipment  Heat-proof mat
Materials
needed  Tripod
 Gauze mat
 2 same sized beakers (either 100 or 250mL)
 2 regular ice cubes & 2 dark coloured ice cubes (collect as needed)
1. Set up your equipment as demonstrated by your teacher.
2. Place 2 ice cubes in the beaker and use the thermometer to record the
start temperature (at 0 minutes).
Step by step 3. Safely turn on the Bunsen burner to the BLUE/WORKING flame and start
the timer.
instructions on how
Method 4. Take the temperature of the ice every minute.
to complete the 5. After 5 minutes turn off the Bunsen burner, allow the beaker to cool
experiment. before removing it from your tripod.
6. Place dark ice cubes in the second beaker on top of the tripod and use the
thermometer to record the start temperature (at 0 minutes).
7. Repeat steps 3-5.
 1. Complete the results tables below:

Title: temperature_ of ice cube when heated for 5 minutes.

Time (min) Temperature (degrees Celsius) of Temperature (degrees Celsius) of

regular ice cubes dark coloured ice cubes
0 5 6
1 27 25
2 35 45
3 46 55
4 70 80
5 95 93

2. Recall: what does PLUST stand for in graphing? Where do the marks go for a graph?

P – plotting: column or line drawn correctly

L -label both axis

U – units on both axis (e.g.: °C, min, sec, mm, cm)

S – scale: going up be even number /amounts on axis, must start at 0

T – title: include the dependent and independent variable

must use ruler

3. Plot the averages on the graph below (remember PLUST)

Graph: Graph your results on graph paper

4. Complete the following:

You should describe at least 3 Controlled Variables, include how you

controlled these:
CONTROLLED VARIABLES:
1. The flame of Bunsen burner
What did you keep the same? 2. The number of the ice cube
Be specific. 3. The placement of the beaker

How did you ensure the We wear safety glasses

Keep the temperature of the Bunsen burner the same
experiment is safe?
Safety
What safety rules did you
follow?

8 out of 10, because

How many times will you do

this test to make it reliable or
Reliability
a fair test?
 5. Recall: identify the five (5) rules for when you draw scientific diagrams.
a) pencil
b) ruler
c)
d)
e)

6. Draw a scientific diagram of the experiment set up in your book.

Discussion Questions:

7. What did pattern or trend do you see about the colour of the ice cube and the
temperature of the water?
The coloured ice cube can affects the temperature most because the graph, because in 4
mins, the coloured ice uses the most temperature which is 80°C: 70°C

8. Was your hypothesis supported or not supported by this investigation? Use data
(numbers) from this investigation to help you respond.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
9. Draw and label the following diagram in your science book.
 10. Think of other examples (other than water) to illustrate the following:
a) solid changes to liquid:
b) liquid changes to gas:
c) gas changes to liquid:
d) liquid changes to solid:

Extra for experts:

4. We make sure an experiment is reliable when we repeat it multiple times. We can make sure
an experiment is valid because we keep the controlled variables controlled. What are two
examples of factors that could have made this experiment invalid?