GUIDELINES FOR DOING PRACTICALS

For AS you have a 2 hour practical paper

consisting of two questions. You are allowed
one hour with the apparatus for each question
For AL you have a 1 ¼ hour paper which consists
of two questions. In one you have to design a
practical and in the other you are given some
results and have to work with these.
 AS PAPER 3
Both question 1 and question 2 require you to
do measurements.
You must become familiar with the instruments
used in the laboratory.
1. Set up the apparatus as instructed. Once you
have set up the apparatus check and compare
it with the diagram given
2. Do the initial readings required. Remember
the following points
(i) Readings MUST be taken to the accuracy of
the instrument used. Do lengths using metre
rules to accuracy of 1 mm or 0.1 cm or 0.001
m. Do stopwatches to accuracy of 0.1 s due to
reaction time. You can usually take to half the
smallest division
(ii) Where possible do each reading twice and
average. Record both readings with units
(iii) When doing oscillations time 20 oscillations
or for a minimum of 20 seconds. Always
repeat and average and then find the time for
one oscillation
(iv) When using a micrometer screw gauge do
each reading 3 times , at different places along
the wire and spiraling around the wire
3. Do any calculations required. Remember the
following points
(i) Raw data is data you actually measure with
your instruments e.g. time for 20 oscillations,
length of the string, diameter of a wire
(ii) Calculated data is any data you calculate
using raw data e.g time for one oscillation,
cross-sectional area of wire
(iii) Calculated data must be given to the same
number of SIGNIFICANT FIGURES (or one
more) than the least number of significant
figures in all the raw data you have used to
calculate that figure – e.g when calculating
density of block you must look at the
significant figures in the length, breadth,
height and mass of block
An exception to this is if you add or subtract to
get the final answer. Then you use the same
number of decimal places
(iv) Always give the answer with correct units
4. If you are asked to justify the number of
significant figures you have used then answer in a
sentence like “I have used (number) significant
figures when calculating (calculated quantity)
because I used raw data from ( quantity) and
( quantity) and (quantity) to calculate the
( calculated quantity) and the least number of
significant figures in my raw date was (number = to
first number or one less) and I wanted to maintain
the same degree of accuracy
e.g. I have used 3 significant figures to calculate
resistance because I used the raw data of
voltage and current and my least number of
significant figures was 3 and I wanted to
maintain the same degree of accuracy.
. NB. Do not mention decimal places for any
calculated data
Question 1 – this involves putting results in a
table, plotting, drawing and using a graph
5. Read the rest of the experiment you have to
carry out. Look carefully what you have to
change and how you are expected to change it
(independent variable). Look carefully at
what you have to measure and how to
measure it(dependant variable). Look at any
calculated data you need to include in the
table.
BEFORE YOU START DRAW UP A TABLE SO YOU
CAN PUT YOUR RESULTS IN THE TABLE AS YOU
DO THEM.
Include the initial results as one of your results
in the table.
Remember the following points
(i) Work out how many columns you need and
always leave a space for at least one extra
(ii) Label each column with a quantity and a unit
and a clear differentiation between them e.g
20T/s or T/s or T2/s2 or V/m3`
(iii) All raw data measured with the same
instrument must be to the same decimal place
(Iv) In each row the calculated data must have
significant figures relating to raw data used
(v) Do the required number of readings. Use the
biggest range possible with sensible intervals
l/cm 20 T/s 20T/s T/s T2 /s2
6. Do your graph remembering the following
points
(i) Both axes must be labeled with a quantity
and a unit
(ii) PLOTTED POINTS must cover at least half
the distance along both axes (the origin does
not have to be on the graph)
(iii) Use a sensible scale. Scales of 1:7, 1:3, and
1:9 etc are not acceptable
(iv) Use a small cross or dot with circle to plot
your points
(iv) Draw the best straight line you can so
there are about half the point on either side of
the line
7. Find the gradient of the graph. The
hypotenuse of the triangle you use must be at
least half of the line you have drawn. Use
points on the line (not from the table) to
measure the gradient and record the points
you have used and show your calculations.
8. Find the y-intercept if required. Remember if
there is no origin you must use y = mx + c and
use your gradient plus a point from the line
(not table)
9. Put the equation you have been given in the
form of y = mx + c where y is the value you
have plotted on the vertical axis and x the
value you have plotted on the horizontal axis.
Equate your m in the equation with the
calculated value of your gradient and the c in
your equation with the value of your y-
intercept and do any required calculations.
REMEMBER UNITS AND SIGNIFICANT FIGURES
e.g. T2 = 4k d + W
3
You have plotted T2 (y-axis) against d (x axis)
so y = 4k x + W
3
But y = mx + c
So gradient (m) = 4k/3 and y intercept (c) = W
 h = 24 d3
g
You have plotted h (y-axis) against d 3
so you have y = 24 x
g
But y = mx + c
So gradient (m) = 24/g and y-intercept (c) = 0
 T = 4a d3 + 4 W
g 3g
You have plotted T (y-axis) against d3 (x-axis)
Find what gradient and y intercept will be
equivalent to.
Gradient = 4a/g and y intercept = 4W/3g
Question 2 - this involves doing a much less
accurate experiment and thinking of ways to
improve it
1. Initial readings and calculations are done
identically to Question 1.
2. Often ask you to work out percentage error.
Because there is error in both ends when
reading a ruler actual error is 2 cm. If you
repeat your half the error.
You only do two sets of readings – remember to
repeat where possible.
You then will usually be asked to compare the
two in some way. E.g If you measure x and y
they may say “Theory predicts x2/y = b “ or “ x
is proportional to y” and then ask if your
experiment supports the theory. For first one
you need to calculate b for both and in the
second x/y for both
. You then have to decide whether or not your
results for these calculations are sufficiently
similar to be supportive.
Usually take the difference then find the
percentage of the difference.
If less than 10% then can ignore difference –
but can refer to % errors if calculated. If these
are big then 20% can be ignored
4. You will be asked for 4 difficulties or problems
encountered. Be specific about things you
found difficult to measure and why.
, You will be asked for 4 ways to improve the
experiment. It is best if these relate to your
difficulties.
DO NOT change the experiment. E.g If doing
experiment on how high a ping pong ball bounces
to not change it to a tennis ball or how far it rolls.
You may change the instruments used to do the
measurements or how the measurements are done
or find ways to improve the accuracy
. DO NOT suggest measures that you should
have done – e.g repeat readings, avoid
parallax errors, check for zero errors.