Planning an experiment

Know the difference between precise (fineness of scale

devisions) and accurate (closeness to true value).
Explain the advantages of dataloggers.
When timing oscillations measure at least 20 twenty in
total (e.g. a minimum of 2 sets of 10 oscillations).
Rather than single results take a range to plot a graph,
best fit a curve and take a gradient that is less sensitive to
random error.

Taking results
Place a ficidual mark to aid the timing of a pendulum (this
must go under the pendulum at the equilibrium position
for minimum transition time).
Place a ficidual mark to improve accuracy when measuring
the extension of a material.
Use a mirror to eliminate parallax error.
Be able to draw a sketch of the above three techniques.
Use a set square to ensure an object (e.g. metre rule) is
vertical. This needs to be placed at two perpendicular
surfaces to ensure the object is vertical in both planes.
Units that are name after people must start with a capital
letter e.g. Volt.
Ensure the independent variable is given at the precision
used e.g. 5.0cm not 5cm if measuring with a ruler
because you are controlling it doesnt mean it should be
truncated.
Measure the diameter of cylindrical objects (e.g. wire) by
using the instrument at three different angles in three
different positions (at least take more readings if there is
a lot of variation).

 Record results to the max number of sig fig available.

Record zero as 0.00 if you are measuring to 2 dp (marks
are removed if you do not do this.)
Plotting graphs
If a variable is defined in a question (e.g. x = deflection of
metre rule) then use it on the axes label.
A best fit curve or line must not be drawn with thick pen, it
must not be sketchy or feint. It must have an even number
of data points on either side.
Ensure numbers are put on scale at least every 5cm.
The examiners penalise marks for points marked as blobs
or dots. They require that points are marked with + (and
not x)
Analysing data
Use a mirror to draw a normal to a best fit curve.
Use a protractor to place a tangent perpendicular to the
normal.
Draw a large triangle extending from a tangent in order to
calculate gradient or inverse gradient.
Draw construction lines and label with values to show how
you took the gradient unless clear evidence of working
is show full credit cannot be given.
Understand that in the context of practical papers
Evaluate can mean work out e.g. Evaluate the force if
the mass = 3kg and the acceleration =10ms -2 .
Express answers to the minimum number of sig fig given
in the question.
Dont truncate the significant figures during working.
Dont give the final answer to more than 4 sig. fig.
Dont truncate valid data e.g. 638mm
64cm.
When multiplying and dividing add %error.
When adding and subtracting add uncertainties.
Describing experiment

 Where a lot of marks are given use bullet points to ensure

all are achieved.
Include instruments used, measurements to be made,
graphs to be plotted, results processing required.
Be specific (pedantically so) e.g. when asked how to check
that a ruler was horizontal students answered that they
measured the height from the floor at both ends. They
were not awarded a mark as they omitted to say that they
check that both heights were the same.