TECHNIQUE OF

ANSWERING SPM
PHYSICS
PAPER 3 [4321/3]

NSWER STRATEGY PHYSICS QUESTIONS PAPER

Written Practical Questions (1 Hours 30 Minutes)

SECTION A
Section A consists of two structured questions.
You need to answer all questions from this
section.
This section is allocated a total of 28 MARKS.

done in the laboratory.

2. The questions in this section normally
require you to:
- State the variables base on the
experiment given. (You are normally required
state the manipulated variable, the responding
variable and the constant variable based on
the aim and the procedure of the
experiment)
- Record the data and do the tabulations.
(Make sure you know how to tabulate the
data correctly).
- Plot a graph. (Make sure you know how to
plot a graph correctly)
- State the relationship between two
variables from the graph.

the interpretation of graphs.

2. You will also need to know how to determine
the gradient and the unit of
the gradient of
a graph.
3. The questions from this section may also
involve the calculation of
certain quantities.
Make sure that you write down all the steps
involved in the spaces provided in the
questions paper. (Make sure you know how
to use the value of the gradient in the
calculation)
4. You may need to state the precaution of the
experiment.
5. You are advised to spend 30 minutes on

need to answer ONE question only from this

section.
2. This section is allocated a total of 12
MARKS.
3. You are advised to spend 30 minutes on
this section.
4. The questions in this section are normally
base on the diagram of a situation in our
daily lives together with a brief write-up on
the situation.
5. You will have to study the situation
carefully and try to find the variables related
in the situation.

6. You will also be asked to state one

appropriate inference, hypothesis for an
investigation and to describe an
experimental framework to test hypothesis.
In your description, you will have to state
clearly the following:
(i) Aim of the experiment
(ii) Variables involved in the experiment
(iiii) List of apparatus and materials
(iv) Arrangement of the apparatus
(v) The procedure of the experiment which includes
- the methods of controlling the manipulated
variable
- the method of measuring the responding variable
- the method of repeated experiment
(vi) The way you would tabulate the data
(vii) The way you would analyse the data

Section A
[28 marks]
Answer
all out
questions
in this section
A student
carries
an experiment
to
investigate the relationship between the length
of wire, l, and its resistance, R.
The arrangement of the apparatus is shown in
Diagram 1.1. An ammeter, dry cells, a rheostat,
a switch and piece of constantan sire are
connected in series.
A voltmeter is used to measure the potential
difference, V, across the constantan wire
between P and Q.

A constantan wire of length, l = 20.0 cm is

connected between P and Q. When the switch is
on, the rheostat is adjusted until the ammeter
reading is 0.50 A. The voltmeter reading, V, is as
shown in Diagram 1.2 on page 4.
The corresponding voltmeter reading across P
and Q are shown in Diagram 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and
1.6 page 4.

(a) For the experiment describe on pages 2

and 3, identify:
The manipulated variable
Length of (wire) / l
[1 mark]

(b)The responding variable

Resistance / R // Potential difference / V //
Voltmeter reading // Voltage
*Rej: voltmeter
[1 mark]

(c) The constant variable

Diameter of wire // Type of wire // Current //
Thickness // Cross-sections of wire //
Radius // Ammeter reading // SWG //
Resistivity // Temperature
*Rej: Size, no of battery, emf, dge
[1 mark]

b) Based in Diagram 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6

on page 4:
Record the voltmeter readings, V, in the
spaces provided on page 4.
Diagram 1.2 : 0.4 V
Diagram 1.3 : 0.9 V
Diagram 1.4 : 1.3 V
Diagram 1.5 : 1.7 V
Diagram 1.6 : 2.2 V
marks]
(i)
Calculate the values of R for each [2
length
of wire using the formula
R = V/0.5
Diagram 1.2 : 0.8
[2 marks]
Diagram 1.3 : 1.8
Diagram 1.4 : 2.6
Diagram 1.5 : 3.4
Diagram 1.6 : 4.4

(ii) Tabulate your results for V and R for all

values of l, in the space below.
l / cm

V/V

R / ohm

20.0

0.4

0.8

40.0

0.9

1.8

60.0

1.3

2.6

80.0

1.7

3.4

100.0

2.2

4.4

[3 marks]

Note:
Values of l, V and R shown in the table
State the units of l, V and R correctly
The values of l, V and R are consistent to
one or two decimal place.

of R against l.
Show R on the vertical-axis and l on the horizontalaxis
State the units of the variable correctly / symbol of
units
Both axes are marked with uniform (even) scale
* (1:1, 1: 2, 1:4, 1:5, 1:10)
* Rej: Odd scale
All five points are plotted correctly
* 1 (2 mm x 2 mm)
* 5 points 2m
* 3-4 points 1m
Best fitted straight line
* point to the line 5 mm @ 2.5
Show the minimum size of graph at least 5 (y) x 4
(x) ( 10 cm x 8 cm) square
* Start from the origin until the last point
[7 marks]

(d)Based on your graph in 1(c), state the

relationship between R and l.
Resistance of wire (R) is directly
proportional to the length of wire (l)/
l/lR/
Increasing linearly

R
[1 mark]

2. A student carries out an experiment to

investigate the relationship between the
mass, m, of a load placed on a spring and the
length, l, of the spring. The student also
determines the spring constant, k.
The result of this experiment is shown in the
graph of l against m in Diagram below.

(a)

Based on the graph in Diagram 2.1

(i)
what happens to l as m increases?
Increases // longer // extended //
greater length //
bigger
length // higher length
(ii) determine the value of l when m =
g.
[1 0
mark]
l = 9.5 10 cm
- show graphical extrapolation
correctly
- state the value within acceptable
range
[2 marks]

(b) The spring constant, k, is given by the

formula k = 1/h, where h is the gradient of
the graph.
(i) Calculate the gradient, h, of the graph.
Show on the graph how you calculate
h.
h = (22.5 10)/60
[3 marks]
-1
= 0.208 cm g
- Draw a sufficiently large triangle 8
cm x 8 cm
- Correct substitution
- State the value within acceptable
range and correct unit
* Reject : answer in fraction

(ii)

Determine the value of k.

[2 marks]

= 1/h
= 4.81 g cm-1

Correct substitution
State the value of k within the acceptable range

(c) Another identical spring is connected in

series to the
end of the spring. The spring
1 1 1

constant, k,
k kthe two springs in series is
k'' of
given
by thek. formula 1/k` = 1/k + 1/k
Calculate
k = .
[2 marks]
State the value of k
g cm-1
/ 2.405
g cm-1 that can be taken
(d) 2.41 State
two
precautions
to improve the accuracy of
the
readings in this experiment.
Repeat readings and take average
Eye perpendicular to the scale/reading
to avoid parallax error.
Ensure the spring does not swing / at
rest when reading is taken.
*Rej: parallax error, parallel

Section B
[12 marks]
1. Diagram
3 one
shows
two opaque
cups,
A and B,
Answer any
questions
from this
section

containing different amount of water. A

similar coin is placed at the bottom of each
cup.
When the coin is observed from the same
position, the image of the coin in cup A
cannot be seen, but the image of the coin in
cup B can be seen.

Based on your observation on the depth

of the water and the position of the
images of the coins:
(a) State one suitable inference
Depth of water affects the position of
image //
Position of image depends on the
depth of water
*Note:
Must have cause without effect
RV influenced by MV
RV affected MV
MV affects RV

(b)State one hypothesis that could be

investigated.
The more the depth of water, the more
the depth of the image // the higher is
the image.
*Note: Must have cause and effect
[1 mark]

an

experiment to investigate the hypothesis

stated in 3(b)

In your description, state clearly the

following;
(i) The aim of the experiment.
To investigate the relationship between
the depth of water
and apparent depth //
real depth and apparent depth
*Note: Relate MV and RV
(ii) The variables in the experiment.
Manipulated variable: Real depth
Responding variable: Apparent depth //
Depth of image
* Note: Both must correct

(iii)The list of apparatus and materials.

Beaker, Water, Pins, Set of retort stand,
Metre rule // Diagram
[1
mark
]

(iv) The arrangement of apparatus.

a functional arrangement of the apparatus
unctional mean experimental can be done or can ge

[1
mark]

(v) The procedures of the experiment which

include the method of controlling the
State the method to control
manipulated variable and the method of
manipulated variable
measuring the responding variable.
Fill beaker with water to a depth of d1 = 10
cm / any number or symbol/letter
State the method to measure the
responding variable
Move the pin outside the beaker to obtain
the apparent position of the pin in the
beaker.
Measure the position of the pin from the
surface of the water to the pin.
Repeat the experiment at least 4 times
Repeat the previous steps by increasing the
depth of water 15 cm, 20 cm, 25 cm and
30
[3 marks]

The way to tabulate the data.

Show how the data is tabulated.
*Note: Must have 2 columns
Depth of
water, d / cm

Apparent
depth, h / cm

10
15
20
25
30 the data.
The way to analyse
Apparent
depth/cm

Depth of
water/cm

- If use symbol, must mention

earlier.
- Accept conclusion, statement
of variable related.
- hd