9702 – PAPER 3 - ADVANCED PRACTICAL SKILLS

QUESTION 1 (20 MARKS)

I. (a) Correct reading with unit and accuracy. (1Mark)

(b) Repeated readings and average. (1Mark)

For eg: Time – in seconds (2dp), length – in m or cm (nearest mm), Voltage – V (2dp)
Ex: 5 oscillations with 2 trails, diameter or thickness at multiple places.

II. TABULAR COLUMN:

(a) Readings: (5 Marks)
Six set readings with correct trend
(b) Range: (1Mark)
pay more attention to independent variable
Ex: mass 50g to 350g; x – 2.5 to 13.5cm
(c) Column Heading: (1Mark)
Must contain a quantity and a unit.
Allowed format: m2s2A-1, s2cm2, ms-1
Unacceptable: m2 A-1s2, m2s2/A. m/s
(d) Consistency: (1Mark)
Raw data with proper d.p.
Ex: Time period – 2 dp, length – nearest to mm (2.1cm or 0.021m or 21mm)
(e) Significant figures: (1Mark)
Every calculated values must be of same s.f or one greater s.f
Ex: x - 2.1cm, 4.7cm, 10.3cm (Note: Raw data d.p are same but different s.f)
(f) Calculated values: (1Mark)
Values of x2 – 4.41cm2, 22.09 (round off to 3 sf) = 22.1 cm2, 106.09 (round off to 4 sf) = 106.1
cm2
III. GRAPH: (6 Marks)
(a) Axes: (1 Mark)
No awkward scales
Label quantity with unit
Every 10 grid must be labelled
Make use of 3/4th of the graph
Break the axis if not started from origin
(b) Plotting of points: (1 Mark)
All observations must be plotted atleast within half grid
No blobs allowed
(c) Quality: (1 Mark)
Scatter points must be no more than 5% from straight line
(d) Line of best fit: (1 Mark)
Judge balance all points
Even distribution of points on either side of the line
One labelled anomalous points allowed
kinks or thick lines are not allowed
(e) Gradient: (1 Mark)
Note two points from LOBF not from table
Draw triangle
Ensure hypotenuse is greater than half the length of drawn line
Use gradient = Δy / Δx
Include order in your calculations
(f) Y intercept: (1 Mark)
Correct read off from graph (or)
Use c = mx – c
Pay attention to s.f for m and c calculations
Fractions are not allowed
IV. Final Calculations: (2 Marks)
Use Principle of Homogeneity (all the terms of the equations have same base units.
Use y = mx + c to find a and b
Mostly a = gradient (Unit) and b = y intercept (Unit)
 9702 – PAPER 3 - ADVANCED PRACTICAL SKILLS

QUESTION 2 (20 Marks)

I. (a) Correct reading with unit and accuracy.
(b) raw values nearest to mm
For eg: Time – in seconds (2dp), length – in m or cm (nearest mm), Voltage – V (2dp)
Ex: 5 oscillations with 2 trails, diameter or thickness at multiple places.
II. Absolute Uncertainty:
Range of distance: 0.2 cm to 0.8cm
Range of time: 0.02s to 0.05s
Range of angle: 0.2 to 0.8 degree
Use formula Δx/x (or)
Half range method if multiple readings are taken
III. Calculations:
Correct calculation using measured raw data
s.f must be same or one greater.
IV. Repeated Readings:
(a) Correct reading with unit and accuracy.
(b) raw values nearest to mm
(c) check the quality of readings (might increase or decrease)
V. Justification of s.f
Calculated values must have same s.f or one greater s.f than of raw data.
VI. K value calculations:
Use the formula given
Calculate two k values
VII. Testing Relationship:
Mention your testing criteria as 5%, 10%, 15% or 20%
Calculate ΔK (difference) / K (low) x 100
Since the percentage difference in calculated k value is less than my criterion, the
suggested relationship is valid.
VIII. Source of errors
A. Two values of k are not enough to draw a valid conclusion.
B. Difficult to check whether a rule is vertical
C. Difficult to check whether a wooden strip is horizontal
D. Difficult to hold a rule or protractor steady when making a measurement.
E. Friction at pulley not negligible
F. Resistance of electrical contacts
G. Difficult to time an event because the event is short or there is a large human error
in timing
H. Difficult to release an object without external force
I. Difficult to judge the start or end of oscillation because it moves fast
J. Large % uncertainty to measure small quantity (diameter or thickness)
K. Difficult to measure a small change in length (Stretching of wire)
L. Difficult to measure volume of liquid as its clear / transparent
M. Difficult to balance strip / prism moves
N. Wet string changes mass/weight
O. Difficult to measure the position because of thick string
IX. Improvements:
A. Take more readings and plot a graph (or) calculate more k values and compare.
B. Hold a set square on bench against the rule
C. Measure the height of the strip above the bench at the both ends
D. Clamp the rule or protractor using clamp and stand
E. Apply oil or lubricate the pulley
F. Clean the contacts to rid rust and dust
G. Video the experiment and review frame by frame or use light gates
H. Hold the object against a stop and release
I. Place marker at end. Start/stop stopwatch when oscillator passes the marker
J. Turn off fans or make a wind shield
K. Use more precise instrument (Eg: Vernier caliper or micrometer) instead of ruler
L. Use Travelling microscope
 9702 – PAPER 3 - ADVANCED PRACTICAL SKILLS
M. Add coloured dye to the liquid
N. Groove under strip / flatten top of the prism
O. Use waterproof string / nylon
P. Use thinner string