Question

The musical instrument in front of you is like a guitar.

1. What do you notice that is different about each of the strings?

2. Now pluck each string one at a time.

   Describe how the differences in each string affect the sound it makes.

Pupil responses

Most pupils observe and record the differing diameter of the strings. Tension and material of the strings are rarely mentioned. Colour is a common observation at this stage of the question.

In (b) the common response is to describe only the dependent variable (the sound frequency). Some pupils do note that the diameter of the string affects the sound frequency but relatively few give a scientifically complete answer both describing directionality and attributing causality to the variables in the relationship.