Some Tips for P6 (ATP)

Improvements that could be done to a temperature experiment:

• Same initial temperature

• Same volume of water
• Same shape of beaker
• Beakers of same material
• Same room temperature
• Same time intervals
• Same surface area (unless given different containers)

It is important to record measurements to the correct precision. In particular,

measurements made with a ruler or thermometer should be given to the nearest
millimeter or °C. Examples:

o If a measured length is exactly 5 cm, the value should be quoted as 5.0 cm.

o If thermometer thread is at 22°C then write 22.0°C and not just 22°C

precaution that should be taken to ensure that the temperature readings are as
accurate as possible

•take reading at 90° / perpendicularly to scale

•stir (before reading / throughout experiment) stir and wait for highest temperature
after stopping heating
• check whether the thermometer is full or 1/3 immersion
• thermometer should not touch the base of the beaker.
Improvements made to experiments about heating effect and insulation:
• Covering the container with a lid
• Repeats and Average
• Recording maximum temperature
• Adding insulation
• Keeping constant room temperature
• Avoiding heat loss
• Lower starting temperature Higher room temperature

Example : Write a conclusion stating how increasing the temperature of the surrounding
water affects the rate of cooling of the water in the test-tube. Justify your answer by
reference to the results in Table 1.1.
In the cold water beaker the change Dq = 80.5 - 29.0 = 51.0° C but in the warm
water beaker the change Dq = 81.5- 45.5 = 35 0° C therefore, the cooling rate
increases when the surrounding temperature is lower and decrease when the
surrounding temperature is higher

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(Variables in experiments about springs and stretching effect )
• Number of coils
• Diameter of spring/thickness of springs or wire
• Selection of loads
• Mass of spring
• Length of wire
• Range of loads

Periodic time (T) is measured by timing a number -n. of oscillations & then divide the
time taken for all the oscillations by the number of oscillations -n.

explain how to use a fiducial aid at the center of the oscillation

A fiducial marker is a useful tool to act as a clear reference/fix point, such as when measuring
the time period of a pendulum using a stopwatch. It may be either something placed into or on the
subject, or a mark or set of marks.

For Example: An object (such as a pencil) placed at the mean (middle) position of an oscillating
pendulum is a fiducial aid to ensure that we start and stop the stopwatch at the right time.

• Eyes should be placed at 900 or perpendicular to avoid parallax errors

How you would use a metre rule and set square to measure the length d of a
pendulum/spring as accurately as possible.
Clear diagram showing use of set square and rule with horizontal line of set square across
to vertical rule from approximate centre of bob

set square

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 • rule close to pendulum
• rule parallel to spring
• eye perpendicular to reading / use set square
• clamp rule
method to find the amplitude

Why measuring time of 20 swings (oscillations) rather than 1 swing is more accurate

• To reduce the effect of reaction time

• To reduce error
• Time of one swing is too small to be measured

Why measuring the time of 200 oscillations isn’t suitable?

• Pendulum may stop

• Student may lose counting

Suggest a practical reason why the result obtained from experiment is different?

• Student didn’t react quickly when the pendulum started.

• Difficulty to measure the length from the centre of bob.

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how the student makes sure that the rule is horizontal before taking the reading.

Set square

• ensure distances(height) from bench at both ends are equal OR use set square
between rule and stand OR align with known horizontal line (e.g. window ledge)
• Spirit Level

How to check if a rule is vertical

• Protractor
• Use of set square
• Plumb line

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Drawing graphs:
• Graph axes must be labelled with the quantity and unit as in these examples: I/A,
or t/s, or y/m. in the same way.
• Choose a proper scale so that the plots occupy more than half of the graph grid.
Careless, rushed graph plotting can lose several marks.
• Mark the points with cross (x) on graph
• draw well measured best fit line (The best straight line is then drawn through
them such that they are equally distributed about it)
• Do not force the line through the origin unless the graph should go through the
origin
• draw thin and neat lines
• If something is directly proportional it should have Constant gradient, straight line
and begin from origin (y increases as x increases)
• If quantities are inversely proportional (y decreases as x increases) product of x
and y axes values for any two points(x,y) must be same.
• You will need about 6 points taken over as large a range as possible to plot a
graph
measuring the gradient:
• Draw a large triangle on graph
• Use clear lines
• triangle must be larger than half the line
• Use a sharp pencil when drawing graphs
• you may lose marks for the thickness of the line
• Final answers should be given to 2 or 3 significant figures.

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Graph analysis

Tables of readings

• Column headings in tables of readings must be headed with the quantity and unit
as in these examples: I/A, or t/s, or y/m.
• A table should record all the measurements needed to obtain the value of a given
physical quantity. For example if a length l is derived from l = l2 - l1 then l1 and
l2 should appear in the table.
• Columns (or rows) in the table should be headed with the name of symbol of the
physical quantity. The unit in which the quantity is measured should be included.
The SI method is recommended. (minimum 5 readings required for a graph)

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 Calculation skills:
Significant Figures and rounding
When doing calculations, your answer should have the same number of significant
figures as the measurements used in the calculation.

Width of an object is slightly greater than the width of the metre rule. Explain
briefly how you would place the object as accurately as possible

34 38. mark the center also

Mark the points at the edges of object and take average(average will be the center of the
object)
Suggest one change to the apparatus to overcome this difficulty → mark centre
line of mass, suspend the load from loop of thread and then align with mark on rule
hang the load from loop of thread

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The exact position of the load that will make the metre rule balance. why this is
difficult.

• Difficult to obtain balance point

• centre of mass/gravity not in centre or middle (however expressed)
• Difficulty in achieving exact balance OR difficulty in judging centre OR load
easily slips OR top of pivot not a sharp edge

how you would find the best position of the load that will make the metre rule
balance.

• Idea of obtaining nearest to balance by moving the ruler slowly back or forth.
• Use loops of string or thread for hanging the load

Improvement made to calculating circumference by string method:

• Avoid parallax error (Eye should be perpendicular to the reading)

• Repeat and Average (take measurements from different positions)
• Thinner string
• Parallel winding of string

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 • In case of irregular shape of glass measure circumference at top and bottom by
parallel winding the string and take average

Inaccuracy in volume for clay experiment:

• Air bubbles
• Clay left on fingers
• Difficult to measure dimensions (mold into a regular shape for measurements e.g;
square or rectangle) improvement could be to repeat the procedure and take
average.
• Weight of the string may change the volume of the liquid

Things to remember while reading measuring cylinder

• Keep line of sight perpendicular to scale to avoid parallax error
• Read bottom meniscus for water and top of meniscus mercury

To determine the diameter of a round object/thickness of a spherical object using

blocks

DON'T FORGET THE UNITS! It will cost you marks that you are in
desperate need of.

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Precautions taken in experiments about formation of image by a lens
• Use a darkened area/ bright object / brighter lamp
• Ensure object and lens at same height from bench
• Mark on lens holder to show center of lens
• Avoid parallax error by viewing perpendicularly in order to avoid incorrect
results/measurements.
• Make sure that the object lens and screen are all perpendicular to bench.
• repeat and take average.
• move lens slowly / back and forth (to obtain sharp image)
• Move screen slowly to find best image
• first mark top and bottom of image and then measure

Ray box experiment precautions:

• Thin slit in the ray box
• Use darkened room
• Perpendicular viewing of the protractor
• Mark the rays at the center of the beam
• Use sharp pencil

a technique to obtain an image on the screen that is as sharp as possible

• move screen backwards and forwards / slowly

• Darkened room
• Use object with fine details e.g; cross wires

Cross wire

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Inaccuracy of ray box method:

• thickness of rays.
• Use a darkened area

Inaccuracy of pin method:

• pins not straight, or too close
• Thickness to mirror
• Thickness of lines
• when using marker pins space the pins so that they are at least 60 mm/6.0cm apart
• Difficulty in judging exact lining up of pins.

To improve accuracy,
• put pins in the light ray experiment FURTHER APART (at least 6cm apart) to
avoid parallax error.
• thin pins; thin lines / pins / sharp pencil
• ensure that the pins are vertical / upright / perpendicular to the paper / placed
straight view the bases of the pins
• (securely) attach the ray trace sheet to the surface
Electricity Experiments

• Check for a zero error Tap the meter to avoid sticking of the needle
• Switch off in between the readings to avoid heat losses
• Voltmeter should be connected in parallel with/having maximum resistance to
take almost zero current from circuit.
• Ammeter should be connected in series with/having minimum resistance to take
almost zero voltage from circuit
• Connecting wires should have negligible resistance
• connection of the sliding contact with crocodile clips shouldn’t be lose
• difficult to position crocodile clip accurately/ inconsistent connection with
crocodile clip/ resistance wire not uniform

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 Advantage of using a variable resistor to vary the current

• can obtain continuous set of values (at least 5 readings required for an
experiment/graph)
• more straightforward to change/control current
• can obtain more values for the graph easily

One way to minimise the rise in temperature of the resistance wire.

• use a low(er) current / voltage / switch off between readings / add a resistor in
series / use a thinner wire
• Increasing voltage
• Adding a lamp
• Increasing resistance of a resistor

What are the possible difficulties in resistance wire experiments

• Difficulties to judge position of crocodile clips

• Difficult to measure wire to nearest mm
• Contact between wire and crocodile clip not precise
• Difficult to interpolate readings on meters between
marks

Magnetism Experiments
• Tap the magnetic compass before use
• Always use smaller compass which can respond to weak magnetic fields
• Use pointed pencil for drawing the magnetic field lines.
• For the magnetic compass avoid parallax error by perpendicular viewing

Range & Precision of instruments for length

Length to be Example Instrument to be used Range Precision
measured
Very Short length Diameter of a metal Micrometer screwgauge 0-2.5cm 0.001cm or 0.01mm
wire
Short length Diameter of Vernier Calliper/ Ruler 0-15cm 0.01cm or 0.1mm
measuring cylinder

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Medium length Image distance of a Meter Rule 0-100cm 0.1cm or 1mm
length
Long length Length of a room Measuring Tape Several meters 0.1cm or 1mm

Experimental Accuracy

You must clearly state the criteria:

Show complete working of experimental accuracy in the explanation part of the answer
space along with the explantion.
The Percentage difference between the two values are greater than 10 % and so this
shows that the constants are not within experimental accuracy. Thus, it shows that the
relationship or hypothesis is not true.
If the percentage difference is less than or equal to 10%, it is within experimental
accuracy and so the relationship is be true.

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