Question

Sam is conducting an experiment with pendulums (something that swings back and forth with a weight at the bottom). He thinks more massive objects will swing faster. He is testing whether the mass of a swinging object has an effect on how long it will take the pendulum to make one swing. He tests two different masses (100 grams and 200 grams) and collects the data shown in the table. What should Sam do based on these results?

Conclude that less massive objects always take more time to swing.


Throw out the data because it doesn't support his hypothesis.


Conduct more repeated trials to see if the difference in time really is significant.


Conclude that more massive objects always take more time to swing.

Answer 1

I believe the answer is C

Answer 2

(C) Conduct more repeated trials to see if the difference in time really is significant.

Step-by-step explanation:

In scientific experiments, a researcher should always take at least three measurements (ideally 5-6) to compare better and get a precise average. Two measurements are not sufficient.

Since the difference in these two measurements is 2.04 -2.00 = 0.04 only, it is incorrect to say that less or more massive objects take more time to swing. Hence, (A) and (D) options are wrong.

Not (B) because research is a process where hypothesis -> experiments -> observations -> conclusions. Hypothesis being proved wrong is still an experiment (even a successful one!) and correct conclusions are still possible.