Techniques For Answering

SPM FIZIK SECTION A,B &C

TECHNIQUES OF ANSWERING
STRUCTURED QUESTION SECTION
A

Able to interprete diagram,graph,table and photograph to

relate to scientific concepts or principles.
Understand the keyword like name,state,
compare,calculate,explain,sketch/draw the graph, what
is meant by etc.
Answer should be short and concise.
For quantitative problem, calclulating step like correct
substitution must be clearly shown and give the final
answer with correct unit.
Pay attention to the marks allocated. The marks indicate
the number of points required in your answer.

SPM FIZIK 2006 Q1

1(a)(i) Name the instrument Q correctly.(1)
Voltmeter
1(a)(ii) State the function of R correctly.(1)
To control the flow of current in the circuit.

1(b)(i) State which ammeter is more

sensitive correctly.(1)
Ammeter Y
1(b)(ii) State the reason correctly.(1)
The smallest division of the scale in
Ammeter X is 0.1A whereas the smallest
division of the scale in Ammeter Y is 0.25A

SPM FIZIK 2007 Q6

6(a)(i) Underline the correct answer.(1)
Parallel
(a)(ii) Give the correct state of the bulb.(1)
Still light up with normal brightness.

6(b)(i) State the meaning of 240V, 60W correctly.(1)

The working voltage of the bulb is 240V.
It is light up with normal power of 60W when connected
to its working voltage.
(b)(ii) Give correct substitution and correct answer with
unit.(1)
P = VI
60 = 240I
I = 60/240
= 0.25 A

6(b)(iii)
Calculate resistance of one bulb correctly.(1)
R = V2/P
= 2402/60
= 960 .
Correct substitute for finding the total resistance.(1)
1/RT= 1/960 +1/960 +1/960
State the total resistance correctly.(1)
RT= 320

6(b)(iv)
State the correct connection.(1)
The bulbs are connected in series.

SPM FIZIK 2008 Q3

3(a) State the correct diagram.(1)
Diagram 3.2
(b) Draw the electrical circuit for Diagram
3.1 correctly.(2)

3(c)(i)
Substitute correctly.(1)
R = 1 + (1/10 + 1/10)-1
State the correct answer with unit.(1)
R= 1 + 5
= 6

3(c)(ii)
Calclulate the current correctly.(1)
I = V/R
= 12/6
= 2A
3(c)(iii) State what happen to the ammeter
correctly.(1)
The reading of the ammeter deceases.

SPM FIZIK 2011 Q6

6(a) Underline the correct answer.(1)
parallel
6(b)(i) Compare the number of bulb correctly.(1)

Diagram 6.1 has more number of bulbs

than in Diagram 6.2.
6(b)(ii) Compare the ammeter reading correctly.(1)
Ammeter reading in Diagram 6.1 is higher
than in Diagram 6.2

6(b)(iii) State the relationship correctly.(1)

The bigger the number of bulbs, the
higher the ammeter reading.
6(c) State the reason correctly.(1)
The total current flows in the circuit
Diagram 6.1 is higher.
6(d) Make the correct deduction.(1)
The bigger the number of bulbs, the
higher the current.

6(e)(i) State the bulb correctly.(1)

Bulb P and Q
(e)(ii) State the correct reason.(1)
The voltage/p.d across the bulb P and
Q is higher than across R and S which are
connected in series.

Technique For Answering Section B

&C

Understand keywords like state,why,relate,explain,calculate,draw,

compare,modification etc.
Underline important information.
Identify information given directly or indirectly.
Plan your answer by jotting down keywords and concepts in point
form or via mapping.
Need to give your answer in detail.
Encourage to use diagram,equation,graph,table and other suitable
methods to explain your answer.
Use simple and short points. Advisable to use a new line for each
new point.
Pay attention to the marks allocated. The marks indicate the number
of points required in your answer.

Type of Question For Section B

Test your ability to conceptualise a physical
concept from two particular situations given in
the question.
Candidates are asked to give a series of
comparison between the two situations(normally
in diagrams) before deduce the relationship
between the physical quantities involved.
Test ability to solve qualitative problems in a
given situation by applying the appropriate
physical concepts.

Type Of Question In Section C

Test abilily on applying physical concept to
solve quantitative problems.
Test ability to make logical decision based
on the physical concepts.

SPM2009 SECTION C Q12

12(a) Define potential difference correctly. ( 1 )
Work done in carrrying a coulomb of
charge between two point in a closed
electrical circuit.

12(b)(i)
State the correct relationship between V and I.(1)

V increases exponentially with I.

State the correct conclusion about the resistance
of the lamp.(1)
Resistance increases with the current.
Give correct reason.(1)
Gradient of the graph increases.//Temperature of
the lamp increases.//Non-ohmic conductor.
Note: Give the number of points according to the
marks allocated for the question.

12(b)(ii)
State the dissipation of energy correctly
when current increases. ( 1 )
Energy dissipated in the filament lamp
increases when the current flowing is
increased

12(c)
Give the suitable design and characterisitcs
of the filament lamp and correct reason.
State the correct type of material and
reason.(2)
Tungsten wire.(1)
Have high melting point, not easily broken
under high temperature and more durable.
(1)

12(c)
State the correct thickness of the wire and
reason.(2)
Thin tungsen wire is preferred.(1)
More resistance and thus more efficient in
converting electrcal energy into heat and
light energy.(1)

12(c)
State the correct shape of the wire and
reason.(2)
Coiled wire.(1)
Can place longer wire into small space
inside the bulb. Thus the resistance of the
wire increases and more heat and light
energy can be produced.(1)

12(c)
State the correct nitrogen gas pressure in
the bulb and reason.(2)
Nitrogen gas at low pressure.(1)
Prevent bulb from bursting//explode.(1)

The answer can be in table form

Suitable
characteristics/feature/desig

Reason

Tungsten wire

High melting point

SPM FIZIK 2010 Q12

Q.12(a)(i)
( i ) State the meaning of elelctric field
correctly.(1)
A region of space where another electrical
charged object experiences electrostatic
force.

Q12(a)(ii)
State the observation of the candle flame
correctly.(1)
-The candle flame spreads out in two
opposite direction with the major part of
the flame spreads towards the negative
plate.(1)

Q12(a)(ii)
Explain how the spread of the flame occurs correctly.
(3)
- Heat energy of the candle flame causes ionization of
the air molecules surrounding the it.(1)
- Positive charged ions which consist of heavier air
molecules losing an electron are accelerated towards
the negative plate.(1)
- Negative ions which consist of lighter electrons are
accelerated towards the positive plate.(1)
Note : Answer can be in point form

Q12(b)(i)
State the type of connection of the cells
and reason correctly.(2)
The cells are connected in series.(1)
To produce enough electromotive force of
4.5 V across the circuit.(1)

Q12(b)(ii)
State the connection of the terminals of
the cells and reason correctly.(2)
The negative terminal of the cell is
connected to the positive terminal of the
next cell.(1)
To ensure correct connection of the cells
in series so that current can flow through.
(1)

129b)(iii)
State the correct connection between the
resistor and the bulb and the reason.(2)
The resistor and the bulbs are in series.(1)
The resistor and the bulbs share the
potential difference provided by the cell. It
ensures that the potential difference
across the bulb is 2 V so that they can be
lit up with normal brightness.(1)

Q.12(b)(iv)
State the type of connection of the bulbs and
the reason correctly.(2)
The bulbs are connected in parallel.(1)
To ensure that the potential difference across
each bulb is 2 V so that they can be lit up
with normal brightness.(1)

Q12(b)
Choose the correct circuit.(1)
Circuit X
State all the reasosns for your choice.(1)
-Cells are connected in series.
-Negative terminal of the cell is connected
to the positive terminal of the next cell.
-The resistor is connected in series with
the bulbs. (Demonstrate the calculation to
show the p.d across the bulb is 2 V )
- The bulbs are connected in parallel.

Q12(c)(i).
Show the correct substitution.(1)
E = I(R + r)
2 = I(5 + 1)
Answer with correct unit.(1)
I = 2/6
= 0.333A

12(c)(ii)
Show the correct substitution to determint the
effective resistance of the circuit.(1)
1/R = (1/5 + )
R = 3.5294
Show the correct substitution to determine the
current,I flows through the ammeter.(1)
2 =( 1 + 3.5294)I
Answer with correct unit.(1)
I = 0.4416 A