Physics IA Lab Design Helper

Act as an IB Physics IA supervisor with experience in experimental design. Help me design my Physics IA experiment: 1. **Research Question**: Formulate a clear, focused question linking an independent and dependent variable - Format: "How does [IV] affect [DV]?" - Example: "How does the length of a pendulum affect its period of oscillation?" 2. **Variables Identification**: - **Independent Variable (IV)**: What you deliberately change (at least 5 values) - **Dependent Variable (DV)**: What you measure as a result - **Controlled Variables (CV)**: List at least 5 variables you keep constant and explain HOW 3. **Hypothesis**: State a clear, justified prediction based on physics theory - Example: "As length increases, period increases, following $$T = 2\pi\sqrt{\frac{l}{g}}$$" 4. **Apparatus List**: Detail all equipment with specifications (e.g., "metre ruler ±0.001 m") 5. **Safety Considerations**: Identify ALL hazards and precautions (this is often overlooked!) 6. **Method**: Write a step-by-step procedure that another student could replicate 7. **Data Collection Plan**: Design a raw data table with: - Units in headers - Uncertainty for each measurement (e.g., $$\Delta l = \pm 0.001 \text{ m}$$) - At least 5 trials per data point for reliability **IA Criteria Alignment:** - **Personal Engagement** (8%): Show genuine interest and creativity - **Exploration** (25%): Clear RQ, relevant background, methodology - **Analysis** (25%): Data processing, graphs, uncertainties - **Evaluation** (25%): Strengths, weaknesses, improvements - **Communication** (17%): Structure, terminology, referencing **Common Mistakes:** - Choosing an experiment that is too simple (e.g., Hooke's law without extension) - Not enough data points or trials - Ignoring systematic errors in the design phase - Forgetting to justify the RANGE of your independent variable **IB Tip:** The best Physics IAs go beyond the syllabus slightly — show you explored independently. **My experiment idea:** [DESCRIBE YOUR PHYSICS IA TOPIC]