PMT

Mark Scheme (Results)

June 2022

Pearson Edexcel
International Advanced Subsidiary Level in
Physics (WPH13)
Paper 01: Unit 3 Practical Skills in Physics I
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June 2022
Question Paper Log Number: P71880A
Publications Code: WPH13_01_2206_MS
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd 2022
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General Marking Guidance

• All candidates must receive the same treatment. Examiners must

mark the first candidate in exactly the same way as they mark the
last.
• Mark schemes should be applied positively. Candidates must be
rewarded for what they have shown they can do rather than penalised
for omissions.
• Examiners should mark according to the mark scheme not according
to their perception of where the grade boundaries may lie.
• There is no ceiling on achievement. All marks on the mark scheme
should be used appropriately.
• All the marks on the mark scheme are designed to be awarded.
Examiners should always award full marks if deserved, i.e. if the
answer matches the mark scheme. Examiners should also be
prepared to award zero marks if the candidate’s response is not
worthy of credit according to the mark scheme.
• Where some judgement is required, mark schemes will provide the
principles by which marks will be awarded and exemplification may be
limited.
• When examiners are in doubt regarding the application of the mark
scheme to a candidate’s response, the team leader must be
consulted.
• Crossed out work should be marked UNLESS the candidate has
replaced it with an alternative response.
• Mark schemes will indicate within the table where, and which strands
of QWC, are being assessed. The strands are as follows:

i) ensure that text is legible and that spelling, punctuation and

grammar are accurate so that meaning is clear
ii) select and use a form and style of writing appropriate to purpose
and to complex subject matter
iii) organise information clearly and coherently, using specialist
vocabulary when appropriate.
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Mark scheme notes

Underlying principle
The mark scheme will clearly indicate the concept that is being rewarded, backed
up by examples. It is not a set of model answers.

1. Mark scheme format

1.1 You will not see ‘wtte’ (words to that effect). Alternative correct wording
should be credited in every answer unless the MS has specified specific
words that must be present. Such words will be indicated by underlining
e.g. ‘resonance’
1.2 Bold lower case will be used for emphasis e.g. ‘and’ when two pieces of
information are needed for 1 mark.
1.3 Round brackets ( ) indicate words that are not essential e.g. “(hence)
distance is increased”.
1.4 Square brackets [ ] indicate advice to examiners or examples e.g. [Do
not accept gravity] [ecf].

2. Unit error penalties

2.1 A separate mark is not usually given for a unit but a missing or incorrect
unit will normally mean that the final calculation mark will not be
awarded.
2.2 This does not apply in ‘show that’ questions or in any other question
where the units to be used have been given, for example in a
spreadsheet.
2.3 The mark will not be awarded for the same missing or incorrect unit only
once within one clip in epen.
2.4 Occasionally, it may be decided not to insist on a unit e.g the candidate
may be calculating the gradient of a graph, resulting in a unit that is not
one that should be known and is complex.
2.5 The mark scheme will indicate if no unit error is to be applied by means
of [no ue].

3. Significant figures
3.1 Use of too many significant figures in the theory questions will not be
prevent a mark being awarded if the answer given rounds to the answer
in the MS.
3.2 Too few significant figures will mean that the final mark cannot be
awarded in ‘show that’ questions where one more significant figure than
the value in the question is needed for the candidate to demonstrate the
validity of the given answer.
3.3 The use of one significant figure might be inappropriate in the context of
the question e.g. reading a value off a graph. If this is the case, there will
be a clear indication in the MS.
3.4 The use of g = 10 m s-2 or 10 N kg-1 instead of 9.81 m s-2 or 9.81 N kg-1
will mean that one mark will not be awarded. (but not more than once
per clip). Accept 9.8 m s-2 or 9.8 N kg-1
3.5 In questions assessing practical skills, a specific number of significant
figures will be required e.g. determining a constant from the gradient of a
graph or in uncertainty calculations. The MS will clearly identify the
number of significant figures required.
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4. Calculations
4.1 Bald (i.e. no working shown) correct answers score full marks unless in a
‘show that’ question.
4.2 If a ‘show that’ question is worth 2 marks. then both marks will be
available for a reverse working; if it is worth 3 marks then only 2 will be
available.
4.3 use of the formula means that the candidate demonstrates substitution
of physically correct values, although there may be conversion errors e.g.
power of 10 error.
4.4 recall of the correct formula will be awarded when the formula is seen or
implied by substitution.
4.5 The mark scheme will show a correctly worked answer for illustration
only.

5. Graphs
5.1 A mark given for axes requires both axes to be labelled with quantities
and units, and drawn the correct way round.
5.2 Sometimes a separate mark will be given for units or for each axis if the
units are complex. This will be indicated on the mark scheme.
5.3 A mark given for choosing a scale requires that the chosen scale allows
all points to be plotted, spreads plotted points over more than half of
each axis of the available space and is not an awkward scale e.g.,
multiples of 3, 7 etc.
5.4 Points should be plotted to within 1 mm.
• Check the first and last points and the two points furthest from the
best fit line.
If all are within 1 mm, award 2 marks.
If one point is 1+ mm out, award 1 mark.
If two or more points are 1+ mm out, award 0 marks.
• For a line mark there must be a thin continuous line which is the
best-fit line for the candidate’s results.
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Question Answer Mark

Number
1(a) • Determines the average coin radius/diameter using at least five coins (1)
• Determines the average coin thickness using all 20 coins (1)
• Use of 𝑉𝑉 = π𝑟𝑟 2 𝑡𝑡
𝑑𝑑 2 (1)
Or use of 𝑉𝑉 = π 𝑡𝑡
4 (1) 4
• 𝑉𝑉 between 1.14×10–6 and 1.22×10–6 m3

Example of calculation
Total length of 10 coins = 30.2 cm
Average coin radius = 0.0151 m
Total height of 20 coins = 3.3 cm
Average coin thickness = 0.00165 m
𝑉𝑉 = π𝑟𝑟 2 𝑡𝑡
𝑉𝑉 = π × (0.0151 m) 2 × 0.00165 m
𝑉𝑉 = 1.18×10–6 m3

1(b) • Use of 𝜌𝜌 = 𝑚𝑚⁄𝑉𝑉 (1)

• 𝜌𝜌 between 8000 and 8600 kg m–3 (1) 2

Allow ecf for V from 1(a) for both marks.

Example of calculation
𝜌𝜌 = 𝑚𝑚⁄𝑉𝑉
𝜌𝜌 = 0.0098 kg⁄1.18 × 10–6 m3
𝜌𝜌 = 8300 kg m–3

1(c) EITHER

• Calculates values for 2% range of the density of brass (1)

• Statement comparing this with 1(b) and relevant conclusion made (1)

OR

• Calculates percentage difference between 8550 kg m−3 and the density from 1(b) (1)
• Statement comparing this with 2% and relevant conclusion made (1) 2

Example of calculation
8550 kg m–3 × 1.02 = 8721 kg m–3
8550 kg m–3 × 0.98 = 8379 kg m–3
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Question Answer Mark

Number
1(d) EITHER
• Use of a displacement can filled with water (1)
• Multiple coins added and volume of displaced water measured using a measuring
cylinder (1)
• Volume of displaced water divided by number of coins (1)
• Coins added slowly to prevent splashing
Or measuring cylinder read at eye level to avoid parallax
Or ensure measuring cylinder is vertical
Or displacement can is filled until overflowing and waits until drips stop (1)

OR

• Use of a measuring cylinder part filled with water (1)

• Multiple coins added and the change in volume recorded (1)
(1)
• Volume of displaced water divided by number of coins
• Coins added slowly to prevent splashing
Or measuring cylinder read at eye level to avoid parallax
(1)
Or ensure measuring cylinder is vertical

OR

• Use of vernier/digital calipers (1)

Or use of a micrometer (screw gauge)
• Multiple coins measured (1)
Or multiple positions measured on the same coin
• Mean radius/diameter and thickness/height calculated (1)
• Corrects/checks for zero error in the measuring device (1) 4

Total for question 1 12

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Question Answer Mark

Number
2(a) • Uncertainty is half resolution (0.5˚) (1)
• Use of percentage uncertainty = (uncertainty / angle value) × 100% for either
angle (1)
• % uncertainty in θ1 = 1.4% (accept 1%) and % uncertainty in θ2 = 0.8% (1) 3

If the full resolution of protractor is used (1˚) – award MP2 for use of equation and
MP3 for correctly values 2.9% (3%) and 1.6% (2%)

Example Calculation
% uncertainty in θ1 = (0.5˚ / 35˚) × 100% = 1.4%
% uncertainty in θ2 = (0.5˚ / 62˚) × 100% = 0.81%

2(b)(i) • See n1 sinθ1 = n2 sin θ2 with refractive index of air n2 = 1 (1)

• Rearranges and compares with y = mx (+ c)
sin 𝜃𝜃2 ∆sin 𝜃𝜃2 (1)
Or rearranges and compares 𝑛𝑛1 = with gradient =
sin 𝜃𝜃1 ∆sin 𝜃𝜃1
• Identifies n1 = gradient (1) 3

For MP1 accept n sinθ1 = sin θ2

𝑛𝑛 sin 𝜃𝜃2 ∆sin 𝜃𝜃2
For MP2 accept comparing 1 = with gradient =
𝑛𝑛2 sin 𝜃𝜃1 ∆sin 𝜃𝜃1

2(b)(ii) • Uses two points on the line to determine the gradient (1)
• n1 between 1.46 and 1.54 (1) 2

MP2 dependent on MP1

MP2 allow correct use of gradient = 1/n from 2(b)(i)

Example Calculation
n1 = (0.77 – 0.17) / (0.50 – 0.10)
n1 = 1.5
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Question Answer Mark

Number
2(c) • Realistic cause of a systematic error in measured data suggested (1)
• Suitable method to reduce effect of the cause suggested (1) 2

MP2 dependent on MP1

Examples
• Normal line not correctly drawn at 90˚ to the flat surface
• Use a protractor/set square to check the normal line

• Zero error because protractor not aligned correctly

• Ensure the protractor is aligned to the normal

• Ray of light not directed to centre of the flat surface

Or incident ray not perpendicular to curved surface
• Mark the position of the centre of the flat surface on paper

• Block moved
• Mark the position of the block on paper
Or tape the block in position

• Did not repeat measurements with angles of incidence either side of the normal
• Repeat measurements (for angles of incidence on both sides of the normal) and
calculate mean value

Total for question 2 10

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Question Answer Mark

Number
3(a) • Power supply (e.g., battery), ammeter and LDR connected in series (1)
• Voltmeter connected in parallel with LDR (1) 2

MP1 – accept incorrect symbol labelled as LDR or an LDR symbol without circle
MP2 – we can accept a voltmeter in parallel with a single resistive component in the
series circuit unless an LDR is given

Examples

3(b) • Distance between bulb and LDR (d) measured with a metre rule (accept tape
measure) (1)
• Record current and potential difference and use 𝑉𝑉 = 𝐼𝐼𝐼𝐼 to calculate resistance
Or use an ohmmeter or multimeter set to measure resistance (1)
• Repeat for the same values of d and calculate the mean value of R
Or use a set square/marker to reduce parallax when measuring d
Or look down at ruler at eye-level to reduce parallax when measuring d (1) 3

3(c) • Downwards curved line with decreasing gradient (1)

• Line not touching/crossing either axis (1) 2

MP2 dependent on MP1

Examples

3(d) • Use of 𝐴𝐴 = 4π𝑟𝑟 2 (1)

𝑃𝑃 (1)
• Use of 𝐼𝐼 =
𝐴𝐴 (1) 3
• I = 18 W m–2

Example Calculation
I = 9.0 W / (4 × π × (0.20 m)2) = 17.9 W m–2
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Question Answer Mark

Number
3(e)(i) Mark 3(e)(i) and (ii) holistically

• Suitable control variable (1) 1

e.g., background light level, current in bulb, brightness/power of bulb, angle of light
to LDR, temperature of the LDR

3(e)(ii) • Suitable method of control for the control variable identified (1) 1

Total for question 3 12

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Question Answer Mark

Number
1
4(a) • (Energy is conserved, so) 𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚∆ℎ = 𝑚𝑚𝑣𝑣 2 (1)
2
• 𝑣𝑣 = �2𝑔𝑔∆ℎ
Or 𝑣𝑣 2 ∝ ∆ℎ
Or states that m and g are constants (1)
• ∆ℎ is constant so v is always the same
Or ∆ℎ is constant so v2 is always the same (1) 3

If no other marks awarded, accept GPE (decrease) and KE (increase) are the same for
1 mark

If suvat equations are used to show 𝑣𝑣 = √2𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 or 𝑣𝑣 2 ∝ 𝑠𝑠, do not award MP1 or MP2,
but MP3 is still available

4(b) • Inconsistent d.p. in H (1)

• H/D should be measured to nearest mm
Or H/D should be recorded to 3 d.p. (1) 2

Allow “No repeats shown” for either marking point

4(c)(i) • Correct D2 values rounded to 2 s.f. (1)
• Labels axes with quantities and units (1)
• Sensible scales (1)
• Plotting (2)
• Line of best fit (1) 6

1.0
H/m D2 / m2
0.9
0.20 0.14
y = 0.7799x + 0.0007
0.35 0.28
0.8 0.50 0.40
0.75 0.58
0.7
1.00 0.79
0.6 1.20 0.92
D2 / m2

0.5

0.4

0.3

0.2

0.1

0.0
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2
H/m
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Question Answer Mark

Number
4(c)(ii) • Calculates gradient using large triangle (1)
2𝑣𝑣 2 (1)
• Use of 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 =
𝑔𝑔 (1) 3
• v between 1.92 and 1.98 (m s–1)

Example Calculation
0.78−0.16
𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 = = 0.775 m
1.0−0.2

𝑔𝑔 × 𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 9.81 m s –2 × 0.775 m

𝑣𝑣 = � =� = 1.95 m s −1
2 2

4(c)(iii) • States actual/percentage difference between the two values

Or identifies that their value is slower/faster (1)
• Comment identifying a potential cause for the difference
Or comment on the accuracy of the values (1) 2

Examples
• The speed given by the graph is slower
• Air resistance reduced the size of D

• The speed given by the graph is only 0.03 m s–1 slower than the value she
calculated
• The difference is only 2%, so the experiment is accurate
Or the difference is small, so the experiment is accurate

• Calculates the percentage difference between 1.98 m s–1 and the value from 4(c)(ii)
• The percentage difference is small, so the experiment is accurate
Or the percentage difference is large, so the experiment is not accurate

Total for question 4 16