Name: 1. What is a control?

Focus: SIN 401 & 2. A moderately complex experiment

403 usually has 2 pairs of independent 
dependent variables. What are the
two pairs in this experiment?
SIN 401 = Understand methods & tools in Independent Dependent
moderately complex experiment

SIN 403 = Identify the control in an
experiment 
Do Now: Answer Questions 1-4
3. What was the purpose of this
PASSAGE I experiment?

Students explored the difference between

series and parallel circuits by trying different
combinations and observing the effect on the
voltage and currents. Different metals 4. What can be concluded from Figure 1?
conduct electricity at different rates, so the
students tried using different types of wires
as well. To prevent a short circuit, a simple 1
ohm resistor was used in each trial. A
multimeter was used to measure current, FOCUS 1: SIN 401
and batteries of the given voltage were used
for each trial Each item used in an experiment has a
function. If it didn’t, it would be pointless to
buy it and include it.
Table 1 The function of each item is usually related
Material Electrical to 1 of 3 things:
Conductivity (notes)

(s m^-1)

Gold 45.2 x 10^6

Silver 63.0 x 10^6

Sea Water 4.8

Aluminum 37.8 x 10^6

Copper 59.6 x 10^6 5. Make a list of the materials and their

functions.
Material  Function

6. Now look back at your list of materials.
Which ones are related to changing
independent variables?
b. doing all the trials at the same
temperature
c. using the same battery brand
d. different wire materials in each
trial

7. Which ones are related to measuring a

dependent variable?

8. Which ones are related to keeping

everything else the same or
controlled?

9. Do you have any other materials listed

that are NOT related to the variables
or controls? What are they?

Try these SIN 401 Questions

Mark the key words in each
question and answer choice.
10.Why was more than one type of
battery used?
a. To test the consistency of each
battery
b. To change the current
c. To change the voltage
d. To complete different circuits
11.Why were gold, copper, and silver
wires used in the experiment?
a. they are the cheapest metals
available
b. they are good conductors
c. they can be easily bent
d. they can be bought in most
stores
12.Which of the following would cause
the data to be unreliable?
a. different resistors in each trial