Last minute revisionPaper 4 – Alternative to coursework

Weather Instruments

andClouds

Fieldwork experi-

ments

Paper 4 question

types

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River fieldworkTo measure the depth of the channelto draw a cross-section:1. Place a ranging pole on either sideof the channel2. Measure the width of the channel using a tape measure3. Measure the depth of the channel every 50cm using a meter rule

To measure the stream velocity:2. Measure out 10m using the tape

measure and mark using ranging poles

3. Use something that floats and time how long it takes to travel 10m using a stopwatch

4. Repeat the experiment to get a more reliable set of results

Note: You could improve this experiment by using a flowmeter and by repeating the experiment on different parts of the rivers course

Beach fieldworkTo measure a slope or beach profile:1. Measure the width of the beach using the tape measure2. Place a ranging pole every 5m3. Measure the angle between each ranging poleusing the Clinometer being careful to keep the ranging poles straight4. Another member of the group should record theresults

To measure long shore drift:2. Place ranging poles 20m apart parallel to thesea2. Throw an orange into the waves from the centralpoint3. Time with a stopwatch how long it takes for the orange to travel the 10m.Record both speed and direction of long shore drift.4. Repeat the experiment

Note: This experiment can be improved by repeating it on another part of thebeach for comparison or in different sea conditions.

Infiltration rates1. Place the tube on the ground. Hold it down so that no water

escapes from the bottom2. Measure out 100cl of water with a measuring cylinder and pour the

water into the tube3. Time with the stopwatch how long it takes for the water to infiltrate

into the soil. The quicker it takes, the higher the infiltration rate.4. Repeat the experiment

Note: Infiltration rates will be higher after rain because the ground will be saturated. Erosion of the ground (on footpaths) will slow down infiltration rates.

Writing questions1. Study the hypotheses to see what data you need to collect with

your questions2. Closed questions are usually the most appropriate

Example:Hypothesis – “People will travel further to visit the CBD than a local shop”Hypothesis – “People will spend more money in the CBD than a local shop”

Questions:How far have you travelled to shop today?a. Less than 1kmb. Between 1 and 5kmc. More than 10 km

How much have you spent today?d. Less than 10 poundse. Between 10 and 40 poundsf. More than 40 pounds

SurveysThis is when information is collected visually. You give a score to a location by judging it against criteria.

Example: 0 1 2 3

Very few parks, few litter bins, untidy

Many parks, well cared for

Houses are small and cramped together

Large houses, detached

Lots of noise, traffic congestions

Quiet environment, clean air

You may be asked about planning this experiment, that would deciding how you were going to judge what is very noise, quite noisy etc. Splitting up the study area between groups, staying in pairs for safety etc.

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Method questionsThese are questions about how you do an experiment

Name the fieldwork equipment and how you would use it in this experiment

Results questionsYou might be asked to describe a set of results

Describe the trend or pattern

Back up your description with data

Example:

Temperatures rose during the study period, from 12 degrees C on Monday to 14 degrees C on Friday.

Conclusions questionsYou might be asked to write a conclusion to an experiment. Look at the hypothesis and the data and then write your conclusion using the hypothesis as a starting point. Back it up with data if the question asks for it.

Example:

The hypothesis is correct, temperatures were higher when there were lower amounts of rainfall. On Monday there was 5mm of rain and temperature was 12 degrees C but on Wednesday there was no rain and temperature was 16 degrees C.

Evaluation questions You might be asked to suggest improvements to an experiment.

Here are some things you can say that will always be relevant:

They should repeat the experiment to get a more accurate result

They should repeat the experiment on different days/seasons/conditions to be able to make a comparison

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