O LEVEL PHYSICS -5054

PAPER-4 ATP

SIR JIBRAN KHAN

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Candidates may be required to do the following:
 Demonstrate knowledge of how to select and safely
use techniques, apparatus and materials (including
following a sequence of instructions where

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appropriate)
 Plan experiments and investigations
 Make and record observations, measurements and
estimates
 Interpret and evaluate experimental observations and
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 Evaluate methods and suggest possible improvements
Language of measurement
Candidates will not be required to recall the specific definition of these
terms in the examinations

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Apparatus Involved

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 Apparatus Involved
General

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adhesive tape (e.g Sellotape) Card

Pair of compasses Blu tack Dropping S Hook 9

pipette
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Top pan electronic balance Drawing board Set square

Plumb line

Sprit Level

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Springs Force meter
G- Clamp Pendulum Bob

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masses Retort stand, boss and clamp Pivot with meter rule
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Meter or half
Newton meter Pulley meter rule
Stop watch

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Thermal physics
• beakers, glass (borosilicate), 100 cm , 250 cm , 400 cm
3 3 3

• boiling tube, approx. 150 mm × 25 mm

• measuring cylinders, constant diameter, 50 cm , 100 cm , 250 cm

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3 3 3

• plastic or polystyrene cup, approx. 200 cm

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• thermometer, –10 °C to +110 °C, with 1 °C graduations

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boiling tube Measuring cylinder
beaker

thermometer
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plastic or polystyrene cup
Optics
• converging lens, spherical, +10D ( f = 10 cm)
• converging lens, spherical, +6.7D ( f = 15 cm)

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• diverging lens, spherical, -6.7D ( f = –15 cm)
• glass or Perspex 60° prism
• glass or Perspex blocks, rectangular and semi-circular
• optics pins, minimum length 75 mm
• plane mirror, approx. 75 mm × 25 mm
• pin board
• protractor 16
 Lenses glass or Perspex prisms, blocks, rectangular and semi-circular

Drawing board
plane mirror Ray Box 17
optics pins
Electricity
Candidates or centres may need to join components, meters and cells together to make circuits. Connectors used will be
3.5 mm or 4 mm in diameter.
• ammeter, with full scale deflection 1 A or 1.5 A and precision of at least 0.05 A (analogue, dedicated digital or
multimeter)
• voltmeter, with full scale deflection 5 V and precision of at least 0.1 V (analogue, dedicated digital or
multimeter)

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• cells, 1.5 V and holders to enable several cells to be joined
• connecting leads, 3.5 mm or 4 mm connectors
• crocodile clips
• d.c. power supply, variable to 12 V
• diodes, including LEDs
• filament lamps, low voltage (e.g. 2.5 V) and holders
• filament lamp, 12 V, 24 W and holder
• LDRs (suitable for use in 1–5 V circuits)
• switches, including push switches
• selection of resistors, values within range 5–50 Ω , power rating of 1–2 W
• thermistors (NTC only)
• wire, constantan (eureka), 0.38 mm diameter (28 swg), 0.32 mm diameter (30 swg)
• wire, nichrome, 0.38 mm diameter (28 swg), 0.32 mm diameter (30 swg) 18
Connecting wires Crocodile clips DC power supply

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Cells or batteries

diodes,
Ammeter including
Filament lamp with holder 19
LEDs
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Nichrome wire
filament lamps, LDR
s

Switch thermistors (NTC only) 20

wire, constantan
Resistors with different values
ATP - Guidelines and Experimental Techniques
 All numerical answers have appropriate units and are given to an
appropriate number of significant figures. Other wise results in loss of
marks.

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 Use a sharp pencil and ruler while drawing circuit diagrams, ray
diagrams, etc. without using ruler (with free hand) results in loss of
mark.

 use rulers and to attempt to mark the distance as precisely as they

can.

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 It is important to record measurements to the correct precision.
Measurements made with a rule should be given to the nearest millimeter.
Examples:
• If a measured length is exactly 5 cm, the value should be quoted as 5.0 cm.
• If thermometer thread is at 22°C then write 22.0°C and not just 22°C.

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It is advised to avoid using rote phrases, such as, ‘to make it more
accurate’ or to avoid parallax error;. These comments need to be linked
to the experiment
• Situation being considered and candidates should state why the
accuracy has improved or how parallax error was avoided.
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 (N11/P41/Q1)

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 When plotting a graph using data obtained from practical work, there will always
be some scatter points about the line of best fit. Forcing the line through all points
or always joining the first and last points will often produce a curve/line that is not
smooth.

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 If you are asked to “use your result “ to explain something then “quote the values”,
do not just mention the theory you know.

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 Repeat readings to spot anomalous errors or to calculate an average

 A ratio should be calculated as a decimal number, of two or three significant

figures.

 Candidates should be able to take readings from the graph by extrapolation or

interpolation.

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Control of Variables:
 Control Variables should be kept constant or same to ensure a FAIR test or
comparison.

For Example: When investigating effect of type of surface color (dull and shiny) on

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rate of cooling of hot water, the amount of water and initial temperature of water
must be same otherwise the comparison will not be fair.

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Recording Values in a Table:
 Write both the quantity and unit in the heading. Don’t write the unit after every
reading in the table which makes it difficult to see the values clearly;
e.g. A heading should say current / ampere or just I / A

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 In cases where a calculated value is to be recorded in a table, the other values
already given in the table give a clue as to how many significant figures are
required.

 All values in a column should be given to the same number of decimal places.
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Variation in Raw data
When there is LARGE variation in raw data then values up to 2 decimal places are
appropriate/enough

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Example:
1.19 1.00 0.93 1.03 1.08

When there is SMALL variation in raw data then the values should be given to more
than 2 decimal places.

Example:
1.192 1.188 1.195 1.189 1.190

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Limits of Experimental Accuracy/Error
 When you are asked to compare two values and decide if they are constant or not;
always consider the limits of experimental accuracy/error.
 In Experimental data, two values even (slightly) different are considered constant
if the difference is within the Limits of Experimental Accuracy.

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 Usually a difference of (±10%) is within limit of experimental accuracy
 If difference between values (being compared) is within (±10%) then the values
are equal/same
 If difference between values is greater than (±10%) then the values are too far
apart and hence NOT equal

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Writing About Human Reaction Error:

Time taken by observer to stop the stopwatch after observing the required time or
required point
Wrong statement: “Reduces/Minimizes human reaction “

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Correct statement: “Reduces/Minimizes the EFFECT of human reaction error.”

How it can be minimized ?

Ans: It can be minimized by placing the stopwatch near to the apparatus

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Why it is better to repeat the Readings or Why it is better to take
several readings?
 Wrong Statement: “ Because It is more accurate, or it gives more accurate reading
Right Statement: “ Because by repeating the experiment you can get average
value, and average value is more accurate

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How to IMPROVE an Experiment
When asked how to improve an experiment, suggest adding/changing a procedure
or method that will improve the overall experiment in terms of reliability or ease.
Do not just write about how to make (existing) measurements more accurate.
For Example: If asked how to improve an experiment to determine time period of a
pendulum, suggest using different lengths of thread or types of bob.

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Parallax Error:
Error in taking measurement/reading due to position of observer
How to avoid Parallax Error:
“Lines ofsight should be perpendicular to the reading on apparatus “ OR ” view at
the eye-level of the apparatus” (Don’t forget to mention the name of apparatus)

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You can also draw eye position on the diagram. Candidates can be awarded credit for
this even if the explanation in words is not clear.

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What is a Fiducial Aid?
 A fiducial marker or fiducial is a fixed basis of reference or comparison
 It is an object placed in the field of view for use as a point of reference or a
measure. It may be either something placed into or on the subject, or a mark or set
of marks.

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 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.

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Graph Plotting
Break-up of Marking Criteria
Criteria Marks

Axes: correct way round, labelled quantity and unit in correct format 1
(Qty/Unit)

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Scales: more than 1/2 grid, linear, not awkward/Sensible scale (no 1
scales of 3, 7 etc). (No discontinuity /zig-zag line in the scale)
Plotting: points plotted accurately within ½ small square; neat crosses 1
or small dots with circle around the dot. Large dots are penalized

Drawing: best fit straight line/Curve drawn. (Neat, thin line using sharp 1
pencil).
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Calculating Gradient of Graph
 When calculating the gradient, always use new points on the line, not your plotted
points.
 Draw a large triangle when measuring the gradient of a line. The hypotenuse of
triangle must be at least half the length of the line/curve.

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 It is best to draw a triangle the full size of the graph and to show the coordinates
on the sides of the triangle when finding the gradient. If needed, extend beyond
your line beyond plotted points (only for straight line graph)
 Draw a tangent to find the gradient of a curve. Make sure it is at the right place on
the curve. Again, use a large triangle

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Graphs Analysis in ATP
Directly Proportional Relationship:
 Graph is Linear/Straight line (constant and positive
gradient) AND passes through origin.
 When x increases, y also increases with same ratio
(and vice versa). Ratio between x and y is a constant (y

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= kx)

Direct - Linear Relationship:

 Graph is linear/straight line (constant and positive
gradient) but DO NOT pass through origin
 When x increases, y also increases
(y = kx + c)

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Direct Non-Linear Relationship:
Graph is NOT a straight line but curve. When x increases, y also increases but non- linearly ( y ≠ kx )
Curve with Increasing gradient As x increases, y increases with an increasing rate
Curve with Decreasing gradient As x increases, y increases with a decreasing rate.

AS x increases, y increases
initially, then become constant

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inversely Proportional Relationship:
 Graph is a curve (known as Hyperbola), it
never passes through origin.
 When x increases, y decreases with same
ratio and vice verse. Product of x and y is a
constant (xy = k )

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Inverse - Linear Relationship:
Graph is Linear/Straight line with NEGATIVE
and constant gradient.
When x increases, y decreases and vice
versa. Product of x and y is NOT a
constant (xy ≠ k)
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Inverse relation (non-
linearly)
As x increases, y decreases
with a decreasing rate

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Inverse Relation (non- linearly)
As x increases, y decreases but
nonlinearly or with an
increasing rate
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ATP - Common Experimental Procedures
Describing an Experimental Procedure
When asked to write down how to perform an experiment, your
explanation should contain following points:

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 List of apparatus that you will use (if not already given in the question)
 How you will use this apparatus? Visualize the steps of procedure and
include every Practical Detail.
 State the readings you will take, and calculations involved.
 In the end always mention a method to improve accuracy of the
experiment. For Example: Repeat and take average.

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 N11P41Q4

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Plan experiments and investigations:
– identify the independent variable and dependent variable
– describe how and explain why variables should be controlled
– suggest an appropriate number and range of values for the independent
variable

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– suggest the most appropriate apparatus or technique and justify the choice
made
– describe experimental procedures
– identify risks and suggest appropriate safety precautions
– describe how to record the results of an experiment
– describe how to process the results of an experiment to form a conclusion
or to evaluate a prediction
– make reasoned predictions of expected results 54
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