‘Question number 2 (utine: No graph will be required. t will require candidtes te fllow an inaccurate method, take severat readings and then evaluate the results. It requires candidates to identify the problems faced in experiment and suggest improvernents that can be made "Now, before starting cn the tps to ace the Physles Practical Paper 3, you should keep this thing a mind that most ofthe marks ‘ore for working, presentation rd conclusions. So even if your practical work isnot very accurate you should move to the tables, {graph and working without wasting time in making It mere accurate. There are only 2 marks of qualty on whole paper. Why lose rest ofthe marks du to 2 marks only? Don't get me wrong though. I dont mean tat don't do the practical accurately but | ‘mean to soy that don't waste era timein making it more acurate and Leaving no time to complete resto the paper wl discuss e0ch point given inthe Mark Scheme below. ueston In this question, frst set up the apporatus in exactly the same manner es shown on the question paper. The fst port of tis {question usuolly involves measuring something Uke clameter of a wire, length of some part of experiment apparatus, potentaL ference, curent etc. While measuring you should ensure that you present the data to the eppropriate number of Sgnificant Fagures so thot # reflects the least cunt ofthe deviee beng used for example: 1. Micrometer Screw Gauge" 0.01 mm 2. Meter rule: 0.5 mm 3. Vernier Caliper 0.4 mm 4, Protractor: 0.5 degrees 5. Graduated cylinder: 1/2 ofthe least count 6. Time: decimot place ‘And, yes, represent your all data inthe St urits.meter lm) for length, rac et.c * Below is the animation, showing: How to use Micrometer Screw Guage? (lick hereto see the animation. ** Below is Ue animation, showing: How to use Vernier Calpers? Click hereto see the onimeton. In some cases, you have to measure something ond judging by the space provided you have to show the evidence thet you have token repecred reedings and averaged them out. Say you have to macsure the diameter of a sample of wire, so using the ricrometer screw gauze toke 3 reading in thre clitferent ports along the length ofthe wie and show:d= fdtvd2oea0/3 ‘nd show the value calculcted. Also remember to cd appropriate units along withthe individual eaings you measure, ‘Ten it says to repeat the procedure and get sc ifferent sets of dato in a table Students often have this thing out of their mind thot the presentation is important and CIE in its examiners report terms such students as ‘weak canes: So fst thing fist, know how many variable you have to measure andlor calculate 39 you could draw epproprite columns, [Now before moving onto how to construct ie table, Let's fist consider what actully is demanded by the examiner in the table, ic’ table snauld have thee fectures: 1) Range and distribution Largest possible range is requled. means that for example if you have to measure Length (L) from 0-100 cm, so we must tke highest range white Keeping the diference constant and getting 6 set of readings. The difference you can take here Is 15,50 the readings of L yout take wil be: 15 cm, 30 cm, 45 em, 60.m, 75cm, 90 cm. These vlues of L you have cover almost the whole range of values possible fom minimum to maximum. Same applies if you have set of resistors and you are asked to make citferent combinations of resistors to yield diferent volues of resistances. These values of resistance must cover the whole range possible, Uke from mirimum to maximum value possible here keeping the ciference between individual velues of resistance for aifferent combinations common is not necessary!) 2) uatty of date Ina nutshell this one mark is for how close your reoings ore to the readings oF supervisor and does your readings hove the ln which make them Look cctua readings Instead of made-up readings such as: (3) scatter of points about the graph. due to random errr the points will never Ue ona straight ine (2) the wend is correct Uke dependent varieble increasing with increasing independent variable ard s0 en. ‘You wil get accuracy marks if you actually write the values which are thre onthe equipment instead of making your wn and if you da the experiment as accurately as supers. 3) Table (Layout: ‘You wil draw ene single table with headings. Each heading will have the name or symbol of quantity with it's standard Unt in brackets of after stash such as "L fa” or “Tompercture(K) using T can cause confusion so better write ternperatue o time insteod oF To t unless the question exit says something Uke" t-time period Writing “Ln or “temperature Kis not accepted.(a) Row data ‘The dota must be up toto the some precision. All the raw readings ofa particular quantty should be recorded to the same qumber of cecimal places which sould in tur be consistent with the precision ofthe measuring instrument. (i) Calculated quantities For example, you record the values for current) using the ammeter. Then the question asks you to include the values of {in your table. That 1s calculated fom Lets sey was given to 3sf Then the calculated form 1/1] must have same numberof sf, Le. 35f or one mare se if ‘These number of significant figures for calculated quantity should be kept same throught out the colum for that quantity. However, ifyou are to calculate resistance from p.d and current, and the pd was upto 2 significant figures while current as up to 3 significant figures. Ten the numberof sin the calculated quantity must be equal to the least number of sf Used inthe calculation of one beter. Therefore, the resistance calculated can only be given to ether 2 sf east sf used in calculation) or 3 (better 5A Now after this discussion of wht are the features of « nce table, Lets move on to: HOW to draw the table? Now cftr this discussion of what ae the features of nice table, lets move on to : HOW to drew the table? ‘se the fll space provided. Fst draw o rectangle covering whole ofthe space nd then draw a upper row relatively wide, Then ‘raw a norrow column headed, SNo. (serial number), then draw equol sized columns forthe variables, then draw equel sized 6 rons below the Reading row the columa heading carries one mark ‘quantty/unit: Frey, record your row data into the table ‘which is obtained from the experimental procedure. Aernords, use this data to calculate other quantities. 'icely’ mode table loots Uke this (Mer, | have token the table fom @ question which involved measure of two quantiles, x/m & WA, and then Involved a clculated quantity 1/0): Sto. xm ayaa 09) 10 1a 13 1a aT However, if you have to measure tine period of an oscillating pendulum, make sure thatthe amplitude Is not greater than 3 cm, then dsplay 3 sets of data in 3 small columns for 10 osclatons 1081 1082, 108 and show ina separate column the calculated value oft stating the formula inthe column heading. Again significant figure ofthe raw data should represent the precision of ‘the Instrument used, and Sf of any calculated value from those data should be In same or one more sf ~ coreet calculation carries one mark! BO NOT panic if your data has some flaws inform the supervisor and fhe glves replacement of some instrument carry on orf he doesn't, hit him wth the same instrument! Just Kdding. Any typeof malfunctioning of instrument wil be reported to CIE and you (are ot penclized for it.as your practical skis are being assessed here Aftr this comes the graph. Now what i equited forthe graph? Read it below!‘Graph Layout: ‘The axes must be Lobeled with ther appropriate units (sme as the headings of tobe). The scale must not be odd such ‘a each 1 cm block = 3 N. Appropriate scales ore 1,2 and $ units = 1 Bloc. Scale must be chosen to gve atleast S02 of| ‘the graph in both of x= & y= directions. On the graph grid provided, there are cbout 8 big bores horizontally & 12 big boxes vertically fwhan the peper is viewed in portrait frm). Therefore, the graph you craw must cover ATLEAST & boxes horizontally and 6 boxes vertically - appropriate scales must be chosen to ensure this. The line drown must be extended beyond the points to occupy full graph False ercin shouldbe used if the values start faraway fom the crigin. The numerical labels must be regularly spaced. Scale markings should be no more thon thee large squares ‘part soto be onthe safe side Label all the marks Ploting: ‘AIL points must be plotted accurately so they are nt more than Imm away fom were they must be plottelsight| ‘offsetting is pordonedi. The point must be plotted shorply the points are not visbke due to shorp Leod then 0.5 small square) are not accepted. Otherwise, i you Find it eosy to work wth dots, use them, but make sure they ae not babs. ‘rend ‘The graph is stright line. Buti is not possible that all points Ue on the line. A best-fit ine has to be drawn. Most people don't get the idea of best-fit line. By best-fit we mean ‘average of all poins' line. There must be even distribution of points above and below the line. The scattering of points around the line is due to random errs. Best ft Une must have the balance of at least 5 points which means you can ignore any one point which does not ft into a trend . There must be an even cstibution of points ether side ofthe Line along the ful length, as we can cal the best fit Line Insaof Wali Line’ in Urdu, which means line doing fair treatment to oll the points. So the vector ‘displacement ofthe points from Ue Line should cancel out to ze. Lines rust not be inked. Lines thicker than haf a ‘small square are not accepted so 1 recommend a sharp lead penclt and a transparent rater for this jb. All pont inthe table minimum 5) must be plotted for this mork tobe scored. Al points must be within 2 cm (to scale) in x direction of ‘straight line. \wmen finding gradient fom the line draw the triangle with the hypotenuse ot least 703 of the graph Label the points with tir coordinates ‘Analysis concusion and evaluation Finding gradient and y-intercept: Fst you will need to revise the equation of tnear Lines if you don't remember them. A Unear Une can be written ia equation as: yemaee 11s dependent variable, x independent variable, ¢ Is point where ine touches y-axisa constant), and m Is gradient of graph, To find gradient. From your points which you found by drawing triangle on the tne, you can find gradient by ths equation: vat) / 2 -x1) Both read-offs must be accurate to half @ smell square and sensibly quoted on the graph and inthe calculations wallFinding the Intercept: Either: Check correct read-off from a point on the line, and substitution into y = mx + . Read-off must be accurate to half a small square (Or: Check read-off of intercept directly from graph. then 0 calculation follows which requires you to substitute the values obtained in previous calculation of gradient and intercept. A method mark and a accuracy mark for the new calculated value, ‘Question 2: This question is more accurately described es an ‘eror-question’ ~ meaning that this question depends on how accurately you ‘work, and in ease your acuracy is compromised, how can you improve the experiment to avoid it. Through out this question you should think: Why om feeling tha tis is dificult? What I the problem with this experiment? How con | mefy I to take Detter readings? This critical thinking is very important to do the last part ofthis question, but the observations are made while cing ‘experiment and setting up the apparatus. ‘This question usually has something ‘vulnerable’ to err tobe measured son this case repeated reading fs required. Same os the method described in question 1 of this guide, toke several readings (2-3 readings would be encugh) and take their average Proof of repeated readings is mestly required in marking schernes. Keepin mind! A consistent unit must be quoted withthe “appropriate numberof signicant figures, ‘The types of 'vulnerable-to-eror’ questions which may come include: finding maximum height after rebound, measuring the ‘angle at which a water-filled bottle fells, timing the falling body ina uid (tke ol et. ‘After measurement fellow the calculation for Finding out the uncertinty in the reacings or calculating another value using @ ‘given formula by putting in the measure values. Usuolly the absolute uncertinty isthe Least count ofthe device, but in mest cases it is greater ~ for example, the least count of a gital stop wateh is 0.01, but twill not make sense iF you quote the ‘absolute uncertainty to be 0.01 s because human errr is quite large here; therefore, you must write a sensible value (a range of values is given in the marking scheme, in most ofthe cases 0.25 to 0.5s = but once again totaly depends onthe experiment. As ‘certain answer you can just put itto be 0.2. For nding the percentage/abeclute uncertainty, keepin ind the following rules: + in case of addition / subtraction: + we add the individual uncertainties ofthe quantities added or subtracted. Take the following example: a=5:026b=2203 Weare given, c= a+b Find the absolute uncertainty & percentage uncertainty inc. caSe2eT ‘absolute uncertainty n= 02 + 0.3 = 0 Percentage uncertainty inc» 0.5/7 * 100 = 7.1496 up to 3 st) Note: whatever the case (subtraction er eddtion, the individual uncertainties ae clweys ADDED never subtracted!+ Incase of multiplication / division: + we add the fection uncertainties ofthe invalved quantities. Take the fllowing example: a=2:02&b=3203 ‘We are given, €= bla Find the absolute uncertainty & percantage uncertainty cc = 3/2 = fractional uncertainty in a = Bova = 0.2/2 = 0.1 fractional uncertainty in b = Ab/D = 0.3/3 = 0. fractional uncertainty in ¢ = (ala + Ab/b) = 0. + 0.1 » 0.2 absolute uncertainty inc = (Mala + Abjo)* c= (0.1 + 0.1)°15 +03 percentage uncertainty in ¢ = (ava + Ab/b) * 100 » 0,2 * 100 » 2036, + In case powers are involve! + when powers ae involved in the even expressions, Wwe find the uncertantles inthe same way as above, with just a small change: we multiply the power with the factional uncertainty of the value which is aised to that power. For example: Pare wien finding the percentage uncertainty of F, well dot ke tis: percentage uncertainty in P= (2 (AI) + AR/R) * 100 “ust see how everything is done exactly the same, except that inclusion of power 2.| hope ths clears the concept of Uncertainty caleulations of quantities invelving powers.