1) This paper is an alternative to a practical exam, so each experiment is

exactly as described or drawn.

2) Students should understand why the choice of range for the measuring
scale should match the size of the quantity being measured.

3) Students should know how to record measurements in a table. A table

should record all the measurements needed to obtain the value of a given
physical quantity. Columns (or rows) in the table should be headed with the
symbol of the physical quantity and its unit (e.g.T2/s2). The SI units are
recommended. Neat work is required. If an equation is used to calculate a
quantity it must be mentioned.
For example,
L/cm T/s T2/s2 R/Ω
/º  / ºC V/V I/A
1 1 𝑚 𝑔
m/g V/cm3 / / 𝑐𝑚
𝑇2 𝑆2 𝐿

4) Ideally, when performing an experiment (and relevant readings are

recorded) it is helpful to arrange the experiment so that one variable (the
independent one) is changed step by step then the dependent variable is
recorded. Candidates should always look for a trend in the recorded results.
Some trends are:
• y increases as x increases
• Straight line through the origin,  is doubled then y is doubled, so direct
𝒀𝟐 −𝒀𝟏
proportionality ( or = constant)
𝑿𝟐 −𝑿𝟏
• y decreases as  increases
• If  is doubled and y is halved or y = k, so inverse proportionality.
• Some relations are linear but not direct or inverse.
5) Students should understand the idea of a fair test or comparison in which
only one variable is altered at a time, e.g. when investigating how rate of
cooling experiment depends on initial temperature of the liquid then the
room temperature, room draughts, volume and type of liquid, rate of stirring
to be kept constant.

Mr Hossam I. 0625/06/Revision 1/6

6) A graph is the best way to display the results of an experiment.
a) Each quantity must be plotted on the indicated access.
b) Axes should be:
1 1
• Labelled with quantity/unit ( e.g. P/Pa against / )
𝑉 cm3
• Scaled as small as possible (to allow the distribution of points for 2/3 of
the graph at least), but should not use an awkward scale (3,6, 7 ....) to
achieve the size.
c) Students may start from any value allowed on the scale without using
break.
d) Plotting should be neat and as accurate as possible (for half a square) using
X or .
e) Graph lines should be neat, thin and a good fit (if there is scatter of points
they should lie either side of the line and for each half of it) straight line
should FILL the graph (even beyond the range of points)
f) For a graph of V/cm3 against m/g
𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝑽 𝟐 − 𝑽𝟏
= = ,
𝒓𝒖𝒏 𝒎𝟐 − 𝒎𝟏
****DONOT use y and  so that to get to a unit cm3 /g (if required).
g) For gradient calculation, use the largest range of ∆ and ∆ y (choose two
clear intersection points one close to the beginning and one close to the
end, triangle shown on graph for more than half the line drawn).

7) Good procedures: -
a) Repeat readings to spot anomalous errors or to calculate an average.
b) Avoid making parallax error, {the line of sight should be perpendicular/
normal to the reading on the scale}.

Mr Hossam I. 0625/06/Revision 2/6

c) When recording reading for distant object, use the help of a reference like
wooden blocks or 90o set square.
d) Look carefully at any scale that is used e.g. :
• notice the unit in which the scale is calibrated.
• always give the unit of any measurement
• notice the maximum reading that can be obtained.
• notice the smallest change in value that can be obtained.
• aim to use quantities that have magnitudes that are towards the upper
values of the scale.
e) The number of significant figures in processed data shouldn’t exceed the
minimum number of figures in raw data ( i.e. calculation can’t be more
significant than raw data)
f) Consistency in using the significant figures is considered (same number of
figures used for calculation results).
g) The judgement of the experiment results compared to the theory depends
on the difference between the values is it accepted or not accepted within
limits of experimental accuracy.
8) In experiments involving the measurement of a
length:
• try to use lengths that are at least 100 mm in length
• you can measure to the nearest mm with a rule, or perhaps 0.5 mm
• you can measure to the nearest 0.01mm with a screw gauge
• when measuring heights ensure that the rule is held perpendicular to the
base ( alongside a 90o set square or along center-90o of a protractor)
• know how to arrange apparatus so that it is parallel or perpendicular to a
bench.

• know how to arrange a rectangular wooden blocks either side of a

cylinder/sphere/ lens to measure diameter/ thickness.

Mr Hossam I. 0625/06/Revision 3/6

9) When measuring an interval of time
a) set the stop watch to zero.
b) for oscillations (of a pendulum or vibrating rule):
• define a complete oscillation (when it passes the same point twice in the
same direction)
• time N oscillations, usually N>10 and use the terminology periodic
𝑡
time T =
𝑁
c) use an aid at the centre of the oscillation (a pencil fixed vertically or
horizontally)
d) explain where the eye should be placed to avoid parallax errors

10) Balancing experiments:

• Ruler will be level when it is centre of gravity is on the pivot.
• If centre of gravity is not at 50 (cause wooden ruler doesn't have uniform
density) you may add a piece of clay to balance the ruler at 50 or just
don't do anything since distances are measured from pivot.
• it is difficult to obtain balance, so record the readings for more than one
trial then average.
• to locate the centre of mass of the object, record the readings at the
R1 + R2
edges then the centre is at .
2
• If the object doesn't have uniform density, the location of it's centre of
mass will affect the result of the experiment.
• to locate the centre of mass of the object at , measure its diameter then
𝑑 𝑑
place it between the two marks ( + ) and ( - )
2 2

11) In light experiments using object, lens and a

screen:
• ensure that object and lens are aligned at the same height (ideally their
centres are along the optic axis).
• items should be along a straight line (alongside a wooden rule clamped to
the table).
• items should be normal to the table.

Mr Hossam I. 0625/06/Revision 4/6

• use an aid when measuring a length, e.g. mark the center of the lens
alongside the wooden base using a fine marker and a set square.
• Use a translucent screen to avoid interrupting light coming from the object.
• perform the experiment in a dark room.
• To obtain a focused image:
1- darkened room / brighter lamp
2- moving lens / object / screen back and forth
3- use object with fine detail e.g. cross-wires
4- measure at middle of range where image is sharp
• position of image is accurate to 0.5 cm range.

12) In ray tracing experiments

• when using optic pins space the pins so that they are at least 5 cm apart.
• ensure that the pins are vertical
• view through the pins bases to avoid error due to tilting.
• close one eye when aligning pins.
• draw neat thin lines through centres of pins positions using sharp pencil.
• use the largest angles available and draw the arms of the angle longer than
the radius of any protractor being used, i.e. a large radius is desirable to
allow accurate measurement of the angle.
• If ray box is used: use dark room, thin beam (small slit), and mark rays at
the centre or edge of the beam.
• sources of error will be the thickness of lines drawn, the thickness of pins
used, thickness of ray, judgement of intersection points, (thickness of mirror
glass if mirror) and difficulty in reading protractor to better than 1o.

13) When using a thermometer

• position the eye so that the mercury thread appears to touch the scale
• decide whether you can read between the marks on the thermometer, i.e.
some thermometers can be read to better than 1 ºC even though the marks
are every 1º C.
• check whether the thermometer is full (not supposed to be) or
1
immersion.
3

Mr Hossam I. 0625/06/Revision 5/6

14) In heat experiments:
• choose volume/mass values of the quantities that give large changes in the
temperature ( but distant from melting or boiling points)
• insulate the container (fibre glass, polystyrene)
• cover the container with a plastic lid (reduce evaporation and heat loss by
convection).
• stir (gently) and wait for highest temperature after mixing hot and cold.
• expect decrease in rate of increase in temp. while heating because more
heat is lost when object gets hotter.
• expect decrease in rate of decrease in temp. while cooling because the
difference in temperature between object and room is decreasing.
• If cold water is added, add equal volumes at equal time intervals.

15) In electrical experiments

• check for a zero error.
• tap the meters to avoid sticking of pointer.
• initially choose the highest range for the ammeter/voltmeter, then reduce
the range for the ammeter so that the deflection is almost full scale
• always check polarities before closing the switch (completing the circuit)
• always check that connections are clean and firm.
• switch off the current when not making a measurement (to reduce heating
effect that changes the resistance you are measuring).
• when measuring resistance use low currents/voltages to avoid heating
effect.
• you may also add a lamp to avoid heating effect.

Mr Hossam I. 0625/06/Revision 6/6