A LEVEL Physics CALA component B

Learning Area physics :

Level : A Level
Duration : 3weeks
CALA TYPE : Practical Activity
pen and paper
Topic : Measurements and
physical quantities

Concepts/skills to be assessed
~ Knowledge and understanding.

~Handling information analysis,evaluation and problem solving.

~Experimental skills.

Dimensions/criteria to be assessed
✓Listing physical quantities

✓Using apparatus
✓Recording observations

✓Analysis results

✓Evaluating methods

✓Taking safety/accurate precautions when handling instruments

Objectives to be assessed: Learner's should be able to:

~Demonstrate knowledge of scientific instruments and apparatus

~Manipulate numerical and other data

~Translate information from one form to another

~Make measurements and record observations

CALA Context: Learners to:

~List physical quantities

~Use apparatus to measure quantities

~Record results/observations

~Analyse results

~Evaluate methods

~Take safety/accurate precautions

(Good handling of apparatus)

Teacher's Notes
~Assessment of Practical skills to be done during Practical lessons apparatus can be used on different
days for different experiments during the course of the term.

~Teacher to provide the necessary set of instructions to be followed by the learner

~Teacher to check all the instruments provided can work properly

~Teacher to use the marking guide to assess students during the term
~Teacher to supervise learners during the course

Teachers Marking Guide

Physical quantities

Maximum
[5marks]

Use of apparatus
-check zero error on meter rule,venier calipers,micrometer screw guage-deduction of scale on all
-reading below level of meniscus (measuring cylinder

-placing measuring cylinder on a level flat surface

-parallax error on all

-wiping anvil and spindle surface of micrometer screw guage

-using ratchet on micrometer screw guage

-letting liquid to settle when using measuring cylinder

Max[10marks]

Procedure
-following the given set of instructions

-repeating measuments for measurements of diameter when using a micrometer screw guage

Max[5marks]

Recording of observations
-data recorded in most appropriate way

-column heading is correctly labelled with quantity and unity with a distinction mark

-consistency with scale of instruments

Max[5marks]

Analysis of data
-using average measurements when using micrometer screw guage

-correct analysis of data

Max[5 marks]

Evaluation of method

-making deductions properly from relationships

-using appropriate methods to determine unknown values

Max[5marks]

Laboratory safety

-fragile nature of measuring cylinder

-(any plausible safety consideration)

Max[5marks]
Learner's Guide
Name__________________. School____________________

Class/center number/candidate number____________________

Date______________________

Background
People make measurements on physical quantities in order to make useful decisions in their daily
lives.For example the growth of a baby is monitored by taking regular measurements of it's mass.lt is
against this background that the teacher designed a task to equip learners with measuring skills.The
learners shall list ten physical quantities that can be used in their community to describe nature.The
learners to take and record measurements of five of the listed physical quantities and describe how each
was measured

ltem 1
✓List 10 physical quantities

Item 2
✓Choose suitable apparatus to measure five of the listed physical quantities and describe how each is
measured.

Item 3
✓Take and record the measurements

Item4
✓Analyse and evaluate the results

Item 5
✓State the precautions in the measurements
How you will be assessed
~You will be assessed on Practical skills through out the practical lesson

You will be assessed on:

~correct use of the following apparatus:ruler,vernier calipers, micrometer screw gauge, measuring
cylinder, balance.

~observing the accuracy precautions when using all the instruments

~Proper handling of the instruments

~Correct reading offs from measuring instruments

~following instructions and procedures

~Recording of observations

~Analysis of results

~Evaluation of methods

~Laboratory safety (taking safety precautions when handling the instruments)

CALA tips
~You are expected to show knowledge and understanding of experimental skills in measurements of
physical quantities
Learner Achievement Standards

CALA TITLE :
ARCHIVEMENT STANDARDS

Dimension Excellent /very Good Satisfactory Inadequate Very

Criteria good inadequate

Listing physical 10 physical 8 physical 6 physical 4 physical 2 physical

quantities quantities quantities quantities quantities quantities

[4] [3] [2] [1]

[5]
Using 5 apparatus 4 apparatus 3 apparatus 2 apparatus 1 apparatus
apparatus
[8] [6] [4] [2]
[10]
Procedure 5 apparatus 4 apparatus 3 apparatus 2 apparatus 1 apparatus

[5] [4] [3] [2] [1]

Recording 5 apparatus 4 apparatus 3 apparatus 2 apparatus 1 apparatus

observations
[5] [4] [3] [2] [1]

Analysis results 5 apparatus 4 apparatus 3 apparatus 2 apparatus 1 apparatus

[5] [4] [3] [2] [1]

Evaluating 5 apparatus 4 apparatus 3 apparatus 2 apparatus 1 apparatus

methods
[5] [4] [3] [2] [1]

Taking 5 precautions 4 precautions 3 precautions 2 precautions 1 precaution

accurate and
safety
precautions [4] [3] [2] [1]
[5]