Mark Scheme (Results)

October 2024

Pearson Edexcel International Advanced

Subsidiary Level In Physics (WPH13) Paper 01
Practical Skills in Physics I
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October 2024
Question Paper Log Number P78397A
Publications Code WPH13_01_2410_MS
All the material in this publication is copyright
© Pearson Education Ltd 2024
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.
Using the Mark Scheme
Examiners should look for qualities to reward rather than faults to penalise. This does NOT
mean giving credit for incorrect or inadequate answers, but it does mean allowing
candidates to be rewarded for answers showing correct application of principles and
knowledge. Examiners should therefore read carefully and consider every response: even if
it is not what is expected it may be worthy of credit.

The mark scheme gives examiners:

• an idea of the types of response expected
• how individual marks are to be awarded
• the total mark for each question
• examples of responses that should NOT receive credit.

/ means that the responses are alternatives and either answer should receive full credit.
( ) means that a phrase/word is not essential for the award of the mark, but helps the
examiner to get the sense of the expected answer.

Phrases/words underlined indicate that the meaning of the phrase or the actual word is
essential to the answer.

ecf/TE/cq (error carried forward) means that a wrong answer given in an earlier part of a
question is used correctly in answer to a later part of the same question.

Candidates must make their meaning clear to the examiner to gain the mark. Make sure
that the answer makes sense. Do not give credit for correct words/phrases which are put
together in a meaningless manner. Answers must be in the correct context.

Graphs
A mark given for axes requires both axes to be labelled with quantities and units, and
drawn the correct way round. 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.

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.

For WPH13 there are two marks available for plotting data points. Points should be plotted
to within 1 mm.
• 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.
Question
Answer Mark
Number

1(a)(i) Uses percentage uncertainty = half resolution / measurement ( 100%) (1)

Percentage uncertainty = 0.4% Accept 0.39%, 0.394% (1) 2

Example of calculation
0.05 mm
Percentage uncertainty = × 100 = 0.394%
12.7 mm

1(a)(ii) Check (and correct for) zero error (1)

To eliminate systematic error (1) 2

MP2 dependent on MP1

1(a)(iii) Use a (mass) balance to obtain the mass (1)

4 (1)
Divide d by two (to obtain the radius) and calculate the volume using 3
π𝑟 3
𝑚
Calculate density using 𝜌 = 𝑉 (1) 3

1(b) Use a metre rule to measure distance (travelled by the sphere) (1)

Record distance Or time for two regions between the rubber bands (1)

Start and stop the stopwatch when the same point of the steel sphere passes the band
Or Ensure measurement (of time) is taken in line with the sphere
Or Use the lap timer on stopwatch
Or Repeat with the sphere at the same initial position
Or Record the motion between the rubber bands and view in slow motion (1)

Relate measurements to terminal velocity, e.g. travels equal distance in equal time, or
velocity is equal in each region (1) 4

1(c) EITHER
Lower limit = 0.68 (Pa s)
Correct conclusion comparing calculated lower limit to quoted viscosity of castor oil (1)
(1)
Example of calculation
Lower limit = 0.72 Pa s  ( − ) =  (Pa s)
The lower limit is greater than 0.65 (Pa s) so the liquid is not castor oil

OR
Percentage difference = 11% [Accept 10%] (1)
Correct conclusion comparing calculated %D to 6% (1) 2

Total for question 1 13

Question
Answer Mark
Number

2(a)(i) Circuit containing power supply, voltmeter, ammeter, variable resistor (1)
Ammeter in series, voltmeter in parallel with sealed box (1) 2

Example of circuit

2(a)(ii) The fixed resistor is needed to limit the (maximum) current in the circuit
Or The fixed resistor is needed to prevent a short circuit (1)

Because when the direction of current/potential difference is reversed (1)

The diode has a low resistance (and the current in the circuit will be very high) (1) 3

2(a)(iii) 𝑉 (1)
Use of R = 𝐼

R = 27 
(1)
Or I = 0.161 A or 0.294 A
𝑉2
Use of P = 𝑅
Or Use of P = I 2R
Or Use of P = V  I (1)

Conclusion stating resistor D with comparisons to minimum resistance of 27  and

correct value calculated from a power formula
Or
Conclusion stating resistor D with comparisons to I = 0.161 A or 0.294 A and correct
value calculated from a power formula (1) 4

Example of calculation
𝑉 (6 − 0.7) V
R= 𝐼
= 200 × 10−3 A = 27 Ω
𝑉2 (5.3V)2
P= 𝑅
= 33 Ω
= 0.85 W

2(b) The graph shows current readings when the potential difference is negative (1)
Therefore the resistor and diode are in parallel (1) 2

MP2 dependent on MP1

Total for question 2 11

Question
Answer Mark
Number

3(a) Clamp the metre rule in position

Or Ensure the metre rule is vertical using a set square (1)

Place metre rule is close to the beaker (1)

Use a set square to judge scale reading

(1) 3
Or Read perpendicular to the scale

3(b) Any THREE from:

The values are not recorded to consistent decimal places (1)

No evidence of repeat readings (1)

Four data points is not enough (to plot a reliable graph) (1)

Final value of h2 should be 45.1

Or Final value of h2 does not fit the trend (1) 3

Ignore references to intervals and range

3(c)(i) Calculation of mean (1)

Mean n = 1.35 2 d.p. only, no unit (1) 2

Example of calculation
(1.38 + 1.41 + 1.33 + 1.29)
Mean value of n = 4
= 1.353

3(c)(ii) Uses half range for uncertainty Accept furthest from the mean (1)
Percentage uncertainty = 4% e.c.f. 3(c)(i) (1) 2

Example of calculation
1.41 − 1.29
Uncertainty = half range = 2
= 0.06
0.06
Percentage uncertainty = × 100 = 4.44%
1.35

Total for question 3 10

Question
Answer Mark
Number

4(a) 𝑀B 0.2𝑀𝑅 0.2𝑀R (1)

𝐾=( )𝐿 + compares to y = mx + c and is the y-intercept
𝑀A 𝑀𝐴 𝑀A

𝑦−intercept × 𝑀𝐴
So MR = 0.2

Or So MR = 5  y-intercept  MA (1) 2

4(b)(i) Axis labels: y as K / m and x as L / m (1)

Sensible scales (1)
Accurate plotting (2)
Line of best fit (1) 5
4(b)(ii) Calculates gradient using large triangle (1)
Gradient in range 0.237 to 0.249 (1)
Calculated gradient given to 2 or 3 s.f, positive, no unit (1) 3

Example of calculation
0.220 − 0.086
gradient = 0.65 − 0.10
= 0.244

4(b)(iii) 𝑀 (1)
Uses gradient = 𝑀B
A
(1) 2
Correct value of MB given to the nearest gram e.c.f. (b)(ii)

Example of calculation
MB = gradient  MA = 0.244  0.400 kg = 0.097 kg

4(b)(iv) Correct y-intercept determined from graph

Or Correct y-intercept determined using gradient and data point from best fit line (1)

0.2𝑀R (1)
Uses y-intercept =
𝑀A

(1)
Correct value of MR e.c.f. 4(b)(ii)

(1) 4
Value of MR given to the nearest gram with correct unit

Example of calculation
y-intercept = 0.062
𝑦−intercept × 𝑀𝐴 0.062 × 0.400 kg
MR = 0.2
= 0.2
= 0.124 kg

Total for question 4 16

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