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Tips 4 P6 Exams
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By Hany El-Gezawy
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EXAMINERTIPSFORPHYSICS
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2012/2013
Tipss4P6Ex
xams 201
12/2013

Graphss
When plo
otting a graph h it is importtant to
1. Label axis (y/unit against x/unit).
2. Choose a prop per scale.
3. Choose the scales so that the t plots occu upy more th an half of the graph grid.
4. Sttudents must not use an awkward scaale to achievve the size.
5. Plotting shoulld be neat an nd as accurate as possiblee
6. Graph lines sh hould be neat, thin and a good fit (if thhere is scatteer of points tthey should lie

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eiither side of the line {in a rough way!! }).
7. Sttraight lines should FILL the page (ev ven beyond th he range of ppoints) so thaat any gradieent

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caalculation can use the larrgest y and x.
8. Careless, rush hed graph plo otting can losse several maarks.
9. You should alw ways use a sharp pencil and a plot smaall, neat, accuurately placed d crosses.
10. Draw
D a Well-judged neat thin
t best-fit line(s).
l
11. sttudents shouuld describe what
w information is obtaained from a ggraph

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Notes:
I. You should un nderstand that if y is dirrectly propo rtional to x then
thhe graph willl be a straigh
ht line througgh the origin n.
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II. Representing
R data in a graaph, why? A graph
g is the b
best way to d
display
thhe results of an experimeent.
III. Column head dings in tab bles of readiings must be headed w with the
quantity andd unit as in these
t exampples: I/A, orr t/s, or y/m
m.
IV. Graph
G axes are
a labeled in i the same way.
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V. Final answerrs in calculaations should be given tto 2 or 3 siggnificant figu

ures.

Measurinng the gradiient:

a. Draw a triangle on n graph
b. Use clear lines
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c. Trianggle must be larger than half the line

d. Try to
o use the larggest y and x
possible too obtain more accurate vaalue of G.
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e. G = slo
ope = y / xx

To produuce more acccurate or re eliable resullts:
1. Repeat
R experiiment, to calcculate averagge reading.
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2. Avoiding
A paraallax error, lo
ook perpendiicular to the ruler.
3. Iff accuracy in measuremen nt was asked
d, check for zzero error.

o 0.01, that is the limit off experimenttal accuracy, so answers aare

*If valuess have differeence by 0.1 or
about thee same.

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Tips4P6Exams
2012/2013

Experiment control
Good procedures: -
repeat readings to spot anomalous errors or to calculate an average
avoid making parallax errors, {the line of sight should be perpendicular to the reading on
the scale}
look carefully at any scale that is used eg
o notice the unit in which the scale is calibrated - always give the unit of any
measurement
o notice the maximum reading that can be obtained
o notice the smallest change in value that can be obtained

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o aim to use quantities that have magnitudes that are towards the upper values of the
scale

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In experiments involving the measurement of a length
When measuring heights ensure that the rule is held perpendicular to the base
Know how to arrange apparatus so that it is parallel or perpendicular to a bench
Know how to arrange a set square either side of a cylinder/sphere to measure diameter
Micrometer : can measure the thickness of any small thing to 0.01 mm

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Vernier : can measure the inner and outer wall of anything to 1.05mm

Time
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When measuring an interval of time
A stopwatch can measure to about 0.1 s, although it may give a reading to 0.01 s
For oscillations (of a pendulum or vibrating rule), be able to define a complete oscillation
Time N oscillations, usually N>10 and use the terminology periodic time T = t/N
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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 any aid at the center of the oscillation
Explain where the eye should be placed to avoid parallax errors
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Light
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Good procedures

In light experiments using objects, lenses and a screen
Ensure that each item is aligned so that the center of each item is at the same height and on
the same horizontal straight line (ideally use the term optic axis)
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Use a fiducial aid when measuring a length, eg mark the middle of the lens on the bench
Try to use a translucent screen
Perform the experiment in a shaded part (darkened) of the laboratory

In ray tracing experiments

When using marker pins space the pins so that they are at least 60 mm apart
Ensure that the pins are vertical (or at least their bases are aligned)
Draw neat thin lines

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For images produced from lenses on screens, precautions taken:

Use of a darkened room for the experiment.
Avoiding parallax error in measurement, and look perpendicular to the ruler.
Object and lens at the same height from bench.
Object/lens/screen is perpendicular to the bench.

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To draw an image created from lens:

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a. Inverted from the original object.
b. Sides are multiplied by the magnification.
Images m =2 m =0.5

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Precautions taken in experiments about formation of images by a lens
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a. Use a darkened area
b. Meter ruler on bench or clamped
c. Object and lens same height on bench
d. Mark on lens holder to show center of lens
e. Take more readings
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f. Avoid parallax error, explain action and reason

g. Lens\screen perpendicular to bench

Thermal
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Good procedures
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When using a thermometer

Position the eye so that the mercury thread appears to touch the scale
Check whether the thermometer is full or 1/3 immersion
In heat experiments
Choose volume/mass values of the quantities that give large changes in the temperature
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Insulate the container, cover the container

Stir and wait for highest temperature after stopping heating

Improvements that could be done to the experiment (temp. cooling):

a. Same initial temperature.
b. Same volume of water.
c. Same shape of beaker.
d. Beakers of same surface.
e. Same room temperature.
f. Stirring the water in the beakers.

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Tips4P6Exams
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g. Same time intervals.

h. Same surface area. (Unless given different containers)
i. Adding water or cooling effect at regular intervals.
Accuracy
a. Add insulation
b. Keep constant room temperature
c. Avoid heat loss

Heat loss could be reduced by:

a. Insulation of beaker (using a calorimeter).
b. Covering beaker with a lid.

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If an experiment were to be repeated in order to determine an average temperature for each time, it

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would be important to control the conditions. Suggest two such conditions that should be
controlled.
a. same starting temperature
b. constant room temperature/avoid draughts/same place
c. same time intervals

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d. same thermometer
e. same mass/amount/volume of water
f. same beaker
g. lid always used
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Electricity
You need to know that to read the current through a component (e.g. a lamp
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or a resistor) and the voltage across it,

The ammeter is placed in series with the component but
The voltmeter must be connected in parallel with the component.
It is important to be able to set up a circuit from a diagram, draw a circuit
diagram of a circuit already set up and also to draw a circuit diagram from a
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written description.
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In electrical experiments
Check for a zero error
Always check that connections are clean.
Switch off the current when not making a measurement.
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When measuring resistance use low currents/voltages to avoid heating and changing the
resistance you are measuring

Physics laboratory safety precautions / rules:
1. Live wires should not be touched.
2. Hot Objects should not be touched with barren hands instead of that gloves should be used
the most common process is heating of water in thermodynamic experiments.
3. Circuit connections should be checked and approved by the teacher and then only the
circuit should be switched ON.

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Tipss4P6Ex
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4. While
W changin
ng componen nts of the circcuit the pow er should bee switched so
o that one sho
ould
not experiencce electric sho ocks.
5. Saafety spectaccles, gloves and
a other saffety componeents should b be used whilee handling
exxperiments.
6. While
W handlin
ng a mercury y thermometeer one shoul d take of thee mercury spiills.
7. No
N other laboratory instru uments should be toucheed or handled d which is no
ot involved in
n the
co
ourse of expeeriments.

Stretch
h Hookes Law
ng extension experiment, variables thaat should be constant in tthe experimeent:
For sprin
a. Numb ber of coils.
b. Diameeter of springg.

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c. Selecttion of loads.
d. Mass ofo spring.

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micrometter : can meaasure the thicckness of any
y small thingg to 0.01 mm
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vernier : can measuree the inner an
nd outer wall of anythingg to 1.05mm

How to chheck if a rulee is vertical:

a. Protraactor

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b. Use off set square
c. Plumb b line
d. Spirit Level
Variabless in experimeents about sp prings and sttretching effeect:
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a. Numb ber of coils
b. Length h of spring
c. Diameeter\thicknesss of spring or o wire
d. Rangee of loads
e. Length h of wire
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f. Coil sppring
Sources of
o error in calculating circcumference by b string meethod:
a. Parallax
b. Diagon nal winding
c. Thickn ness of stringg
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Improvem ment made to calculatingg circumferen nce by stringg method

a. Avoid parallax error
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b. Repeaats and averaage

c. Thinner string
d. Parallel winding of springs
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Students should undeerstand the id dea of a fair test or compparison in wh hich only onee variable is
altered att a time, eg when
w investiggating how raate of coolingg experimen nt depends on n temperaturre
room to be
b kept consttant--room draughts,
d voluume and typpe of liquid, aamount of stirring.

Students should be trrained to givee a conclusion to an expe riment.

Hany El-Ge
Gezawy

HanyElGezawy Pagee5