Criteria of Success 2021 (H2 Physics Practical)

Name: ____________________________________________ Class: ________________

Skills 
MMO Measurement of raw data using instrument Examples
 Check for ZERO error Ruler: 1 mm or 0.1 cm or
 Appropriate degree of precision 0.001 m
according to the instrument used Vernier calipers: 0.1 mm
 Unit Protractor: 1˚
 Present repeated readings and its Stopwatch: 0.1 s
average (when appropriate)
ACE Presenting calculated values (e.g. period T, 1/T, gradient n)
 SF of calculated value follow smallest SF of raw data
 Exception for lg or ln values: Raw data with X SF  calculated value with X dp
(e.g. raw data, d = 1.5 (2 SF)  lg d = 0.18 (2 dp))
ACE Calculating percentage uncertainty Examples
∆𝑥 0.4/𝑁
 × 100%
𝑋
% uncertainty of T = × 100%
𝑇
 Percentage uncertainty stated to 2 SF 0.1+0.3
% uncertainty of L = × 100% (L is
 Consider both experimental and 26.0
instrumental error in absolute measured on uneven surface)
uncertainty
MMO Calculation of T Example
𝑡 20.5
ACE  Evidence of repeated readings for raw T = 𝑎𝑣𝑔 = = 2.73 s (3 SF)
𝑁 15
time and t > 20 s (be flexible, if t can’t
last for 20s, keep t > 10 s)
 Correct calculation of T to appropriate
SF with unit.
𝑘1 −𝑘2
PDO K value testing Percentage difference = (𝑘 ×
1 +𝑘2 )/2
ACE  Collect another set of reading and 100%
present readings in a table format
 Two values of k calculated correctly
with correct units Comment: Since the percentage
 Valid conclusion relating to the difference between the 2 k constants is
calculated values of k, testing against a less than (10-20%), the suggestion of (y)
stated criterion. being proportional to (x) could be true.

MMO Set up apparatus from a diagram and follow of written instructions

6 sets of readings with correct trend.
Maximise range of readings

PDO Layout: Column headings (raw data & Examples

calculated quantities: n, t, T, l, etc.) lg (T/s)
Each column heading must contain an F/N
appropriate quantity and a unit.
T2 / s2
*See Annex A
ACE Linearising Equation
Linearising equation and deriving expressions that equate
e.g. Y axis  P, X-axis  Q, gradient  m, y-intercept  c
PDO Graph: Layout, choice of scale and labeling of axes
 Sensible scales, no awkward scales (e.g. 3 units into 10 small squares)
 Plotted points occupy at least half the graph grid in both x and y directions.
 Axes must be labelled with the quantity and unit which is being plotted.
 Successive scale markings: no more than 20 small squares apart
*See Annex B
Skills 
ACE Graph: plotting of points
 All observations must be plotted. Any 3 points will be checked.
 Work to an accuracy of half a small square.
 Thickness of plot (ie the crosses, “x”) ≤ half a small square
PDO Graph: trend line and ability to draw best fit line
 Straight line of best fit – judge by scatter of points about the student’s line.
 There must be a fair scatter of points on either side of the line.

ACE Interpretation of graph – gradient

 Gradient – the hypotenuse of the triangle must be greater than half the length of the
drawn line.
 Read-offs must be accurate to half a small square.
 Indicate the two coordinates on gradient triangle.
 Check for Δy/Δx (do not allow Δx/Δy).
𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑦 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠
 Units of gradient = 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑥 𝑎𝑥𝑖𝑠

ACE Value of y-intercept calculated correctly For log graphs e.g. y = Axb (where A and
 Y-intercept must read off to the b are constants)
nearest half small square or 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑦
Units of A = (𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑥)𝑏
determine from c = y - mx using a
point on the best fit line.
 Units of y-intercept = units of y-axis
MMO Identification of anomaly Possible answer for anomalous point:
Anomalous data/results, if any, must be The point (x, y) is an anomalous point
identified. because it is far away from the best fit line
Circle and label the plot “anomaly” on the and does not follow the trend of best fit.
graph. There are no anomalous points as all the
Otherwise, comment of absence of plotted points are close to and follows
anomalous data. well the trend of the best fit line

Legend
 Checked

NA Not applicable

NO Not observed

C Experimental skills and investigations

Candidates should be able to:
1. follow a detailed set or sequence of instructions and use techniques, apparatus and
materials safely and effectively
2. make, record and present observations and measurements with due regard for precision
and accuracy
3. interpret and evaluate observations and experimental data
4. identify a problem, design and plan investigations
5. evaluate methods and techniques, and suggest possible improvements.
 Paper 4 (2 h 30 min, 55 marks)
This paper will assess appropriate aspects of objectives C1 to C5 in the following skill areas:
● Planning (P)
● Manipulation, measurement and observation (MMO)
● Presentation of data and observations (PDO)
● Analysis, conclusions and evaluation (ACE)

The assessment of Planning (P) will have a weighting of 5%. The assessment of skill areas
MMO, PDO and ACE will have a weighting of 15%.

ANNEX A: ON TABLES
The following is a sample of a Table of Readings that presented data in an appropriate
manner.
The experiment involves the oscillation of a cylinder on a curved plane, where
d is a distance measured with metre rule,
t1 , t2 are timings for n oscillations measured with a digital stopwatch.

Example:
Headings and Units –
n , no. of ave period
t1 / s t2 / s separated by a “/”
d / cm oscs T/s
10.0 19 20.27 21.03 1.087 Use appropriate
6 sets of symbols in headings.
raw data 9.5 20 20.14 20.13 1.007
9.0 20 19.20 19.00 0.9550
8.0 20 17.00 17.22 0.8555
7.5 20 16.73 16.35 0.8270 Average period is
7.0 21 15.03 14.77 0.7079 calculated by
T = (t1 + t2) / 2n
1 d.p. * Note 1 2 d.p. 4 s.f.
follows follows precision of follows S.F.
precision of stopwatch of its raw
metre rule data, t.

Raw (Measured) Data Processed (Calculated) Data

Raw data must reflect precision of instrument
Must follow S.F. of
=> read to D.P. given by ½ of smallest interval corresponding Raw Data
=> If ruler, read to 1 interval (1mm)

* Note 1: Number of n can vary, so long as timing t1 and t2 > 20 seconds.

However this particular oscillation gets too small with small d, thus here make do with n = 20.

Readings are repeated whenever experiment is deemed to have large uncertainties in

measurements, as a step to check consistency of measurement. Example, Oscillation
Experiments or experiments with very short time interval to be measured.
The 6 data points are to be selected to span entire range of given apparatus, e.g.
length of metre-rule, slotted masses, e.m.f of battery etc to maximise range of raw
data recorded.
 ANNEX B: ON GRAPHS
Gradient Calculation:
Example - Graph of lg T  s  cm  q :
 p lg d co-ordinates of 2 points shown.
Read accurately to ½ smallest sq
(See *Note 1 below)

This is a
‘False Origin’ as
this graph does
not start from
X=0.

Gradient Calculation:
triangle is at least Half
of Graph-Line

Some Rules for Graphs:

Axes labelled , with Units using “/”.
1
E.g. h 2 / m 2 , f / Hz , / s 2 , I / A , R /  , lg ( h / m ) , lg ( T / s )
T2
etc
Note how when logarithms are plotted, the units are enclosed within brackets.

Appropriate Scale is chosen such that Graph (1st to 6th data-point) spans at least
HALF of graph paper
Most of the time, one of the following scales would be used: 1:1, 1:2, 1:4, 1:5
Do not use awkward scales that are inconvenient to read. E.g. 1:3, 1:45 etc

Scale markers on X- and Y- axes every 1-2 cm interval