M1: Development Of Practical Skills

Question 1

What is the difference between independent and dependent variables?

Answer 1

IV: what you CHANGE
DV: what you OBSERVE

Question 2

What are control variables?

Answer 2

Other quantities that could change the value of DV and need to be kept constant during the experiment

Question 3

How should you scale your axis?

Answer 3

Regular intervals
Plotted data should take at least 50% of graph

Question 4

How should a line of best fit be drawn?

Answer 4

A straight line that goes through the middle of the data
Equal number of plotted points either side of the line

Question 5

When drawing a line of best fit on a graph with error bars what must you do?

Answer 5

Ensure LOBF goes through all the error bars

Question 6

How do you find the uncertainty in the gradient of a LOBF?

Answer 6

Draw steepest/shallowest line of WORST fit
Should go through all error bars
Calculate gradient of best and worst line
Uncertainty is difference in gradients

Question 7

How can you find the percentage uncertainty in the gradient of a LOBF?

Answer 7

(Best gradient-worst gradient)best gradient x100

Question 8

How do you work out the uncertainty in the y-intercept of a LOBF?

Answer 8

Best y-intercept - worst y-intercept

Question 9

How do you find the percentage uncertainty in a y-intercept?

Answer 9

(Best y-intercept - worst y-intercept)/ best y-intercept x100

Question 10

What is estimation?

Answer 10

A skill physicists must use in order to approximate the value of physical quantities; this is done in order to make comparisons, or to check if a calculated value is reasonable