Physics
by Suchal Riaz
Index:
Chapter
Page Number
2.0 Guide
Samples
4-7
2.1.3 Table
10
2.1.4 Graph
10-11
11
12
13
14
Drawing conclusion
15
Estimating uncertainties
15
16
Question number 1:
Outline: it requires candidate to collect data, plot a graph and draw simple conclusions.
Manipulation, measurement and observation
Marks
Quality of data
1
Table
Marks
Layout
Raw results
Calculated quantities
2
Graph
Marks
Layout
Plotting
Trend line
1
Analysis, conclusions and evaluation.
Marks
Interpretation of graph
Drawing conclusions
Question number 2:
Outline: No graph will be required. It will require candidates to follow an inaccurate
method, take several readings and then evaluate the results. It requires candidates to identify
the problems faced in experiment and suggest improvements that can be made.
Manipulation, measurement and observation
Marks
Quality of data
Marks
3
Marks
Drawing conclusion
Estimating uncertainties
Identifying limitations
Suggesting improvements
2.0 Guide
2.1.0 Question Number 1:
Table:
no.
X (m)
I (mA)
1/I (1/mA)
0.100
1.1
0.9
0.250
1.0
1.0
0.400
0.9
1.1
0.550
0.8
1.3
0.700
0.7
1.4
0.850
0.7
1.4
Graph:
Note: These are actual experimental readings therefore they contain random and systematic errors.
Therefore the readings are not exactly what theory suggest, the line on graph is not exactly straight.
The distribution of point along line is not exactly even. This is the kind of data you will get in your
own practical paper when you do the practical yourself. Sometimes it is very difficult to judge how
to draw best-fit and sometimes it makes you think that your readings must be wrong. This table and
graph is such a case to show how to do the best with inaccurate data.
First we need a question with it's table and graph to explain how the marks are given. It will also act
like an example for you to follow if you have never made done any paper by yourself. These
samples are not perfect but they still follow all the instructions given in syllabus and mark scheme.
Note that the last reading is inaccurate. I tried repeating but it gave same answer so I wrote it
without changing. This is winter 9702/winter2010/35. I chose this specific table to show you what
to do if you get one odd reading.
Sample 2:
This kind of table is often required. It maybe helpful to remember the structure and headings.
2.01
20
4.03
30
<<<<<
smaller range(60-10=50)
constant difference of 10 ohm
Resistance/ohm p.d/V
10
2.01
25
4.98
5.95
40
8.03
40
8.02
55
11.05
50
9.80
13.95
60
11.98
>>>> 70
larger range(85-10=75) 85
constant difference of 15 ohm
16.99
There is an independent variable and variables which depends on it. In this guide we will take example of
variable resistor and p.d across it(measured using Volt meter)
We will change resistance and p.d will change across it. So in this case resistance is independent variable and
p.d is dependent variable.
Now if we talk about the marking scheme and the table I drew, there is a constant difference of 15.
the range was huge for this apparatus (75m) which is bigger than mark scheme value. So it gets on
mark of range.
2.1.3 Table
Layout:
You will draw one single table with headings. Each heading will have the name or symbol of
quantity with it's standard units in brackets of after slash such as L /m or Temperature
(K). using T can cause confusion so better write temperature or time instead of T or t unless
the question explicitly says something like t=time period. Writing L m or temperature
K is not accepted.
Raw data
The data must be up to to the same precision. If in one column the values are upto 2 decimal
place the rest of them must be up to 2 decimal place as well. But this needs not to be true to
different quantities. Like in the table on page 4 all readings of I are up to 1 decimal place but
the readings of x are not at the same level of precision as I. But all of the values of x are up
to 3 decimal place.
Calculated quantities
You can see in the table on pg.4 that 1/I is calculated from I. I has 2 significant figures so
does I/I as it was calculated from it. On other hand, if I were to calculate resistance from p.d
and current, and the p.d was up to 2 significant figures while current was up to 3 significant
figures I could not write Resistance up to 3 significant figures. This is because the least
value of significant figures used in calculation are 2; Therefore answer can't be of more than
2 significant figures.
2.1.4 Graph
Layout:
The axes must be labeled with their appropriate units(same as the headings of table). The
scale must not be odd such as each 1 cm block = 3 N. Appropriate scales are 1,2 and 5 units
= 1 block. Scale must be chosen to give at least 50% of the graph. The line drawn must be
extended beyond the points to occupy full graph. False origin should be used as in the
sample graph. The numerical labels must be regularly spaced.
Plotting:
All points must be plotted accurately so they are not more than 1mm away from where they
must be plotted(slight offsetting is pardoned). The point must be plotted sharply. Making
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think dots is not allowed. If the points are not visible due to sharp lead then cross them or
encircle them.
Trend:
You must identify if the graph makes a curve or a straight line. Most of the time the graph is
a straight line. But it is not possible that all points lie on the line. A best-fit line has to be
drawn. Most people don't get the idea of best-fit line. By best-fit we mean 'average of all
points' line. There must be even distribution of points above and below the line. The
scattering of points around the line is due to random errors. On graph (pg. 5) you can see the
line is best-fit.
I told you to encircle points to make them visible in last paragraph. But crossing them is a
better option because encircling means something else. Encircling only one point means that
the point is odd. Only one odd point is allowed as long it is encircled to show that it is out of
trend. By encircling the point you tell examiner this one point is out of trend, and I know
it. Actually you should do take that reading again, but in this case I got same result.
Extra tip: When finding gradient from the line draw the triangle with the hypotenuse at least 70% of
the graph. Label the points with their coordinates. In the next section you will see why.
To find gradient. From your points which you found by drawing triangle on the line, you can
find gradient by this equation:
It will hardly happen the you can find c, the y intercept, by the graph as we don't start x-axis
by 0.
We can find that by equation of straight line. To find c, put the values of m in the equations
and (x1, y1) and then solve for c.
c=y1-mx1
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12
Now you have to compare the equation given by the examiner with the graph you drew and
the gradient and intercept you found.
On y-axis was 1/I so it matches.
On x-axis was 'x' thee length
so this equation becomes y=Mx+N which matches exactly with y=mx+c
so M is gradient and N is y-intercept.
BUT...
M and N must be given in S.I units.
m=0.9 mA-1m-1 convert it into A-1m-1 by multiplying by 1000.
so M=900
c=0.77 mA-1 multiply by 1000 to get 770 A
the rest of answer question can be done by the values of A and R which we recorded.
A=3.84e-7 and R=10 so resistivity comes out as 4.49e-7 which is in range of marking
scheme
What we considered to be inaccurate readings gave us a correct answer and hopefully full 20
marks. This shows that you can get full marks even if your readings are nor very accurate
but do the rest of the working correctly following the guidelines on this booklet(which are
from the syllabus and mark schemes).
Advanced Practical Skills by Suchal RIaz
13
but here you don't need table. You will simply write
t1=...
t2=....
t=(t1+t2/)2=....
T=.....
to show proof of repeated readings are required by the mark scheme.
Other kinds of readings include finding maximum height of after rebound, angle between
two threads, and length of a write.
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2.2.2Drawing conclusions:
You will find two values of a constant(lets call it k for now). These two values will be close
but not same. In next you will be told that theory suggests that the k is a constant(both
values must be same).
If you values are very close such as k1=0.351 and k2=0.356 where percentage uncertainty in
k1=5% then you will say due to limitations of apparatus and random errors these two
values are not same but they are within the estimated uncertainty so this experiment supports
theory
If these values are not very close and out of the percentage uncertainty then you can say
something like this: Due to errors and inaccurate method of measuring ___ the two values
are not within percentage uncertainty. Therefore, this experiment fails to support the theory.
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using video camera WITH A RULER and METHOD OF MEASURING TIME(if required
in question)
Quoting these from mark scheme is useless until you read them with the question paper.
License : Everyone is allowed to distribute copy or make amendments in this document without
getting any permission from it's author. Commercial use of this document is prohibited under law.
License by C.C.
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