Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

Science Department – Physics

Year 3 Express

Name : ______________________________ ( ) Date : _____________

Secondary 3.__________

Guide to Practical
Firstly, students are required to read the practical to understand what practical you are
conducting. Usually, it is stated in the AIM / OBJECTIVE of the experiment.

Follow the step by step procedures and the provided diagram to set up the experiment
using all the provided apparatus provided. (Note: Set-up according to what you observe
as the given diagram in the test/exam paper.)

Record all data with appropriate tables and show all necessary working here.

Activity 1
Take a look at some common measuring instruments listed below and record to the
precision of each instrument.

Measuring instrument Precision

Metre rule 0.1 cm
Protractor 1o
Measuring cylinder Eg 0.5 cm3
Thermometer Eg 0.5 oC
Newton-meter Eg 0.1 N/ 0.01 N
Ammeter Eg 0.01 A
Voltmeter Eg 0.05 V
Electronic balance Eg 0.1 g / 0.01 g
Stopwatch 0.1 s
Digital Calipers Eg 0.01 cm
Digital Micrometer Screw Gauge Eg 0.01 mm

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 Example: Construct Table with correct symbols and units for experiment.
s / cm F/N 1/s / cm-1
93.0 0.50 0.0108
85.0 0.56 0.0118
77.0 0.61 0.0130
69.0 0.70 0.0145
61.0 0.80 0.0164
53.0 0.92 0.0189

Variable that you Variable that you are

changed supposed to observe Derived or
From experiment instrument (Follow the calculated variable.
instrument’s precision) Follow sig. fig
from ‘s’
1. Manipulation, Measurement, Observation [MMO]

Record of F and s.

Raw data (usually follow the precision of instrument)

s = 98.0 – 5.0 = 93.0 cm

(record to the precision of metre ruler (i.e: 0.1 cm) Table below)

F = 0.45 N (record to the precision of spring balance (i.e: 0.01 N) in the Table)

Record 1/s. It is a calculated value.

Follow ‘+”, “-“, (least decimal) OR “x” and “÷” (least s.f rules)

1/s = 1/(93.0) = 0.0108 (value one is a constant, so the least sig. fig. is three)

2. Presentation of Data and Observation [PDO]

(A) Construction of Tables

(i) Construction of tables is always done by going through the following questions:-
1) What is/are the variable(s) you are supposed to change?
 this will be your 1st column
2) What is/are the variable(s) you are supposed to observe or record?
 these raw data will be your next few column(s)
3) What is/are the derived variable(s) you are supposed to calculate from the
raw data?
 these will be your last few column(s)

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(ii) Other things to note for construction of tables
1) Always use vertical column and not horizontal row.
2) Use symbols that are mentioned in the procedures (i.e. don’t come out
with your own symbols).
3) The units should appear in the header. NO units written in the rest of the
cells.
4) Make sure the recordings are according to the precision of the
instruments used.
5) NO workings should be shown in the table.
6) NO fraction allowed.
7) Record measured readings, i.e. s, in descending/ ascending order in the
Table.
8) Measurements using instrument recorded to the precision of instrument.
9) Calculated values, i.e. 1/s, record to the same significant figures as the s
value recorded in the Table.
10) Everything should be expressed either to the correct decimal place or
significant figures in the Table as shown below.

3. Analysis, Conclusion and evaluation [ACE]

Graph: ASPLE
Axes/Units/Title
Scale (6 x 5 Big squares)
Plotted points from Table correctly plotted
Line of best-fit correctly plotted
Evidence of the gradient Δ by drawing large dotted line Δ, with coordinates of two points.

Refer to pg 8: Gradient from graph = (y2 – y1) / (x2 – x1)

Gradient from graph =

Unit is not required when writing the value of gradient in the above example.

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However, unit is required to be written for the constant value in the example as shown
below:

Example: Using the same experiment

(e) Plot a graph of best fit of F / N against 1/s / cm-1.
(f) Using the following equation,
1
F = Wd ( ) + c
s
Calculate the weight W of the metre rule using the gradient of the graph, with the value
distance d from the centre of mass of the rule to the pivot, determined from the
experiment.
From experiment, d = 48.0 cm
Gradient of best-fit line = 36.2 N cm = written as 36.2 (gradient does no need unit)

However, it is important to take note of the unit(s) used in the gradient as it will affect
the value of the constant W that you determine next.

From the given equation earlier: Gradient of the line = Wd (relate to Y = mx + C)

Gradient of the line = Wd

36.2 = W x 48.0
W = 36.2 / 48.0 = 0.754 N (3 sig. fig)

Other important pointers:

1) Physics graphs DO NOT allow ‘kink’ to be drawn on the graph.
2) However, students are allowed to start from non-zero x-axis or y-axis.
3) Regular intervals are required. NO ODD numbers scale (i.e. 0.30, 0.60, 0.90 etc)

Interpretation of Graphs or Writing Conclusions

Normally, you will be required to write a conclusion to the experiment based on the
shape of the graph.

Y F

Y is directly proportional to X. F is linearly related to S with

a positive gradient.
0 X
S

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 Y V
When t increased,
Y is linearly related to X with a V increased at a decreasing rate
negative gradient.

X t

P y
When x increased,
When x increased, y increased at a increasing rate
P decreased at a decreasing rate

x x
Sources of Errors

Things to note for writing source of errors:-

1) It is NOT the same as precaution writing.

2) You are supposed to comment on the systematic errors, or error that is inherent to
the setup or apparatus. It is NOT your fault, or it just CANNOT be prevented.
3) It consists of 3 parts,
- What (is the error)
- How (does the error affects the experiment)
- Which (variable is affected)

4) DON’T write anything that is trivial, e.g. the air-con is blowing; the light is too
bright, etc.

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Some examples on sources of errors:
Note: Students are required to state the variable that would be affected in the following
statements below, given as ___, when the experiment is conducted.

Mechanics experiments
1) Due to human reaction’s time, the timings for the period of oscillations are not
consistent. Thus, affecting the value of ____.
2) The distribution of the mass is not even; therefore the centre of mass may not be
in the centre of the ruler. Thus, affecting the value of ___.
3) It is not possible to do fine adjustment using the retort stand; hence, it is difficult
to ensure the ruler is perfectly horizontal. Thus, affecting the value of ___.
4) The extension of the spring is difficult to measure as the reference point of the
spring changes when it is extended. This makes the measurement of ________
inaccurate.

Thermal experiments:
1) The heat energy is lost to the surrounding when _________. Hence, the value of
_____ is affected.
2) The electrical heater used is not performing to the rating as stated, more time is
required to heat up the water.
3) The thermometer is not sensitive enough to register the small change in
temperature; hence some of the values recorded are not accurate.

Optics / Light experiments:

1) The table top is not even; hence it was difficult to get a perfectly sharp image.
2) Due to the lack of space, the distance between the pins was less than 5.0 cm, the
alignment of the pins maybe affected. Thus affecting the angle of incidence and
angle of refraction.

Writing Experimental Procedures

Essential details to include:

1) Objectives or aims of experiment

2) Apparatus list

3) Variables (independent, dependent, constant / controlled variables)

4) Procedures (always number your steps; never present your procedure in one
paragraph); including precautions to be taken

5) State what data will be collected

6) State how the data is to be collected

7) Recording of data in tabular form

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 8) State how the data is to be analysed (Eg. Plotting of graph, finding average, etc)

9) Analysis of data

10) Conclusion (including comment on experimental procedure and possible

improvement)

Note: (9) & (10) will need to be included if the experiment is carried out.

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 T2 /10-2 s2 Graph of T2 /10-2 s against x/ m

3.Each
1.A title helps you plot a
(0.580, 1.86)
axis is 1.80
labelled correct graph (y against x)
with a
correct 10. Data values
unit are read to an
(after a  accuracy within
1.60 one half of the
slash)
7.A best-fit line is drawn (use a smallest squares
sharp pencil) such that there
are as many data points above
1.40 as there are below the line

1.20 6.The data points are

marked with ‘x’ or
‘ • ’ or ‘ x ’

1.00 9. A good
choice for 
coordinate is
one which lies
exactly on the
0.80 corner of a
small square 11. This triangle (with broken
(Do not choose lines) is as large as possible
data point!)  (covers more than half the area
of the data points) so as to
0.60 minimize error

12.The y- 0.40 
intercept (0.110, 0.40)
is marked
(follow
same
8.Labelling two pairs of 2.Each axis is drawn on a
accuracy as 0.20 coordinates helps you find the bold line for easy reading
coordinate)
gradient of the straight line
if the
question 0.06
requires x/ m
0
0.100 0.200 0.300 0.400 0.500 0.600
4.The origin (whether
true or false) is always
labelled
Practical Worksheet - Guide to Practical / Year 3 Physics 5.Every big square is marked Page 8 of 8
(Choose a suitable scale)