ScienceFreePrintable

Scientific Investigation Report

A free science worksheet ready for your classroom. Open in Kuraplan to grab the print-ready PDF, customize it for your students, or generate a fresh version in seconds.

Download now

Name:Date:

Scientific Investigation Report

A student investigated how temperature affects the rate of the catalase reaction. Catalase in potato tissue breaks down hydrogen peroxide, producing oxygen gas. The student used a gas syringe to measure the oxygen produced in 60 seconds. Use the investigation details and results below to practise planning and writing a scientific report. Catalase is an enzyme; temperature can affect its activity.

Investigation details and results

Question: How does the temperature of the reaction mixture affect the volume of oxygen produced by potato catalase in 60 seconds? The student placed 2.0 g of potato pieces and 20 mL of hydrogen peroxide in a flask. The reaction mixture was brought to the target temperature in a water bath. Oxygen volume was recorded after 60 s. Three trials were completed at each temperature. The same potato mass, peroxide volume and concentration, reaction time, and potato source were used throughout.

Temperature (°C)

Trial 1 (mL)

Trial 2 (mL)

Trial 3 (mL)

Build the report

A scientific report communicates what was investigated, how it was tested, what the evidence shows, and how confidently the findings can be interpreted. Keep results factual; explain patterns and limitations in the discussion or conclusion.

1.Which report section should state the investigative question and explain the scientific background or purpose?

Methods
Introduction
Results
Conclusion

2.Identify the independent variable and the dependent variable in this investigation.

3.Name two variables the student controlled and explain why keeping them constant helps make the test fair.

4.Calculate the mean oxygen volume at 30°C. Show your calculation and include the unit.

5.Describe the overall pattern in the mean oxygen volume as temperature rises from 10°C to 50°C. Include relevant data as evidence.

6.Which is the most suitable graph for displaying temperature against mean oxygen volume, and which variable belongs on each axis?

7.Write a concise Methods paragraph that would allow another student to repeat this test. Include the equipment or measurements, the sequence, and how repeat trials were used.

8.Which statement belongs most appropriately in the Results section rather than the Discussion?

The lower reading at 50°C may be because the enzyme’s structure changed.
At 30°C, the three oxygen readings were 31, 33 and 32 mL.
A water bath would improve control of temperature in a repeat test.
The results support a peak reaction rate near 30°C.

9.The three readings at each temperature are close together. Explain what this suggests about repeatability, and give one reason repeated trials are still useful.

10.Write a conclusion that answers the investigative question and supports the claim with numerical evidence. Do not claim more than the results show.

11.Identify one limitation of this method and suggest a specific improvement that would reduce its effect on the results.