Examiner Tips for A-Level Physics Practical Paper 3 (9702/03)

Do not panic if the context of the practical experiment appears unfamiliar. Where appropriate the
question paper will tell you exactly what to do and how to do it.

If you find yourself in real difficulty setting up your practical equipment you may ask your supervisor
for help, although you may lose one or more marks for this.

There are a number of things that you can do to save time: Draw a single table for your results in
advance of taking any readings and enter your readings in the table as you take them (so that you do
not waste time having to copy them up later). This is also important because you must record all your
raw readings before you calculate and record any average readings. If the number of readings that you
need to take is indicated in the question paper do not waste time by exceeding this number. Repeat
your readings, but remember that it is only necessary to repeat them once (so that you have two sets
of values) - do not waste time repeating them more than once.
All the raw readings of a particular quantity should be recorded to the same number of decimal
places which should in turn be consistent with the uncertainty in the readings.

The uncertainty in a measurement can sometimes be larger than the smallest interval that can be
measured by the measuring equipment. For example, a stopwatch can measure time to a hundredth of
a second, but human reaction times will mean that the uncertainty in the reading given by a stopwatch
is (typically) 0.1s to 0.4s.

Each column heading in your table must contain both a quantity and its unit. For instance if you have
measured time “t” in seconds, your column heading would be written as “t/s” (“t in s” or “t(s)” would
also be acceptable). The quantity or unit or both may also be written in words rather than symbols.

The number of significant figures used in a derived quantity that you calculate from your raw readings
should be equal in number to (or possibly one more than) the number of significant figures in the raw
readings. For example, if you measure potential difference and current to 2 and 3 sig figs respectively,
then the corresponding value of resistance calculated from them should be given to 2 or 3 sig. figs., but
not 1 or 4. If both were measured to 3 significant figures, then the resistance could be given to 3 (or 4)
sig figs.

When drawing your graph, do not forget to label each axis with the appropriate quantity and unit,
using the same format for expressing column headings in a table. Choose a scale such that the plotted
points occupy at least half the graph grid in both the x and y directions. The x-axis scale should increase
positively to the right and the y-axis scale should increase positively upwards. Use a convenient scale
such as 1, 2 or 5 units to a 2cm square as you will then be less likely to make a mistake with the position
of your plotted points and it will be easier for you to read off points from your graph if you are
calculating the gradient or finding an intercept.

All your plotted points should be on the grid; points in the white margin area will be ignored. Plot all
your observations and ensure that they are accurate to half a small square. A fine cross (or an encircled
dot) drawn with a sharp pencil is acceptable, but be careful not to obscure the position of your points
by your line of best fit or other working.

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When drawing your line of best fit, ensure you have an even balance of points about the line along its
whole length. If it is a straight line, use a clear plastic rule so that you can see points on both sides of
the line as it is being drawn.

Show all your working when calculating a gradient. It is helpful to draw the triangle used to calculate
the gradient on the graph and to clearly label the coordinates of the vertices
(accurate to half a small square). These values can then be used in the gradient calculation. The length
of the hypotenuse of the triangle should be greater than half the length of the graph line.

If you are required to give a value for the y-intercept, it may be possible to directly read it off from your
graph from an axis where x=0. If this is not possible you can instead calculate the y-intercept by using
the equation of a straight line (y = mx + c). In this case you should substitute into this equation a pair of
x and y values from your line of best fit along with your calculated value of gradient.

For Physics Paper 3 Q.2, I also suggest that you memorise my list of 20 common answers (see
below) for the limitations and suggestions question which appears in the last part of Question 2.
My list is based on the mark schemes for past year questions. Usually 3 of the 4 answers required
can be found in my list, and the 1st answer in my list can be used for all experiments. Sometimes,
only 2 of the 4 answers required can be found in my list, and sometimes, all the 4 answers
required can be found in my list. Note that for the parts of the answers in my list that are placed
in brackets, it means that you have to write those parts based on the context of the experiment.

Here is the List of Common Answers for the Limitations and Improvements Question of
Paper 3 Question 2:

Limitation # 1: Two/three readings are not enough to make a valid conclusion

Improvement: Take more readings and plot a graph.
(Note: This answer can be used for all experiments)

Limitation # 2: The value of (a physical quantity) is small so the percentage uncertainty of

(the quantity) is large.
Improvement: (Suggest the way to make the value of the quantity larger)

Limitation # 3: The movement/oscillation of (something) is affected by wind movement.

Improvement: Use a wind shield when carrying out the experiment.

Limitation # 4: Difficult to determine the start and end of oscillation/movement of

(something) because it moves too fast.
Improvement: Use a video camera with slow motion feature and timer to video the
experiment with scale, then view the video playback frame by frame.

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Limitation # 5: Difficult to release (something) without applying a force.
Improvement: Use a mechanical hand to release the (thing).

Limitation # 6: Difficult to shape the plasticine into the shape of (something)

Improvement: Use a mold to shape the plasticine.

Limitation # 7: Heat loss through the sides and bottom of beaker/container.

Improvement: Use polystyrene container or insulate the beaker/container.
(Note: This answer should be used for experiments involving the temperature of liquid)

Limitation # 8: The (measuring instrument) is not precise enough.

Improvement: Use another (instrument) with greater sensitivity and precision.

(Note: You should state in your answer the specific degree of precision for the limitation and the
improvement)

Limitation # 9: The length/diameter/thickness of (something) is not uniform.

Improvement: Measure the length around/along the (thing) and calculate the mean value.

Limitation # 10: Difficult to measure (something) due to (specific reason based on

experiment)
Improvement: (Suggest a better way to measure it)

Limitation # 11: Parallax error when measuring (something)

Improvement: (Suggest a better way to measure it, such as use mirror scale)
(Note: This answer should only be used if the measurement is difficult to make and parallax error is very
likely to occur)

Limitation # 12: (Something) moves

Improvement: (Way to keep it in the original position)

Limitation # 13: Oscillation does not occur in one plane only.

Note: No possible improvement for this limitation. You should write in your answer the
improvement for any other limitation.

Limitation # 14: Difficult to maintain (something) at (a particular position) / maintain

ruler vertical.
Improvement: Use a clamp.

Limitation # 15: Difficult to zero the newton-meter when used horizontally.

Note: No possible improvement for this limitation. You should write in your answer the improvement for
any other limitation.
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Limitation # 16: Friction at pulley affects the reading.
Improvement: Apply oil to lubricate the pulley.

Limitation # 17: Resistance of contacts (in electricity practicals) affect the current reading.
Improvement: Clean the contacts (with cloth or sand-paper).

Limitation # 18: Difficult to determine when (something) reach the maximum height because it
remains there for too short a time

Limitation # 19: Difficult to take the reading of newton-meter immediately when (something)
starts to move (because it moves suddenly).
Limitation # 20: Difficult to start or stop the stopwatch immediately when (something) passes
through (somewhere).
Improvement: Use a video camera with slow motion feature and (the measuring device) to
video the experiment with scale, then view the video playback frame by frame.
Note: The same improvement can be used for limitations 18, 19 and 20.

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