Notes on the Alternative to Practical Papers

1. Repeat all readings and average. Show all readings. If timing measure the period of at least 5
oscillations each time. Try for 10 if time allows. Remember timing uncertainty is 0.1s with a
handheld stopclock.

When taking a set of readings make sure that they cover the whole range of the readings fairly evenly.

2. Try to arrange for a single table which

 shows all readings, even the first, and their averages

 has the correct units and quantities for each column
 has the same precision (ie no. of decimal places) for every reading in a particular
column.

Choose a sensible number of sig. figs. (usually 2 or 3)

3. Your graph should

 have each axis labelled with both quantity and unit

 occupy at least 5x7 squares (ie half the paper) with YOUR plotted points
 ask yourself whether the origin should be plotted
 not use an awkward scale, ie 1 square = 3, 7 ,9 units
 have points plotted neatly, with NO large blobs, or crosses. Circle your points if you
plot them as dots.
 have a clear even thin line plotted
 straight lines should extend beyond the range of points so that any gradient
calculation can use the largest y and x.

4. In measuring the slope

 use at least half of the drawn straight line

 show the coordinates that you use for the slope or the values of the sides of the
triangle that you use.
 give your answer to 1 or 2 sig. figs as appropriate. Don't forget units.

5. Know the straight line formula for a graph, y =mx +c,

6. Ideally, when performing an experiment (and relevant readings are recorded) it is helpful to
arrange the experiment so that one variable is increased step by step. Candidates should always
look for a trend in the recorded results. Some trends are
 y increases as x increases
 straight line through the origin, if x is doubled then y is doubled, direct proportionality
 y decreases as x increases
 x times y = k, inversely proportionality. Inverse proportionality is generally not properly
understood

7. Students should understand the idea of a fair test or a comparison in which only one variable is
altered at a time, eg when investigating how rate of cooling depends on temperature of a liquid,
room temperature is to be kept constant as well as room draughts, volume and type of liquid,
amount of stirring.
8. If two results are within 10% of each other they are usually considered to be the same within
experimental accuracy. If asked to compare two values within the limits of experimental
accuracy the usual expected answer is ‘Yes they are the same since the results are close, within
….% of each other’.

9. 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}
 in experiments involving the measurement of a length
 you can measure to the nearest mm with a rule, or perhaps 0.5 mm
 when measuring heights ensure that the rule is held or clamped 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
 in light experiments using objects, lenses and a screen
 ensure that each item is aligned so that the centre of each item is at the same height and
on the same horizontal straight line (ideally use the term optic axis)
 move screen or lens slowly back and forth to obtain sharp image
 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 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
 draw neat thin lines
 use the largest angles available and draw the arms of the angle longer than the radius of
any protractor being used, ie a large radius is desirable
 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, ie some
thermometers can be read to better than 1 ºC even though the marks are every º C, often
the accuracy of the thermometer may be 1 ºC
 check whether the thermometer is full or 1/3 immersion
 in heat experiments
 insulate the container, cover the container
 stir liquids
 wait for highest temperature after stopping heating

 in electrical experiments
 check for a zero error
 tap the meter to avoid sticking
 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 (otherwise readings fluctuate)
 switch off the current when not making a measurement.
 when measuring resistance use low currents/voltages to avoid heating and changing the
resistance you are measuring
 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
 know and be able to explain how to use a fiducial aid at the centre of the oscillation
 know and be able to explain where the eye should be placed to avoid parallax errors