Paper 6

Question 1

Making drawings

Answer 1

Outline - Clear continuous outline + no shading
Size - Make the drawing as large as the space given (unless told otherwise)
Detail - Show details (eg. number of legs etc.)
Label - Use a ruler for labelling lines, Label in pencil, Don’t label within the drawing (write the ‘label outside’), Don’t have arrows on your lines.

Question 2

Hypothesis

Answer 2

What you think will happen and why.

Question 3

Independent variable

Answer 3

(Always only one)
Thing you are changing and how!
Remember you ALWAYS state at least 4 values with units

Question 4

Dependent variable

Answer 4

Thing you measure, the units and how you would measure it.

Question 5

Controlled variable

Answer 5

Things you need to keep the same.

Question 6

Method

Answer 6

Important steps needed to carry out this practical.
ALWAYS include 3 repeats

Question 7

Safety (Investigation)

Answer 7

What are the potential risks and how can you reduce them.

Question 8

Drawing bar charts

Answer 8

• Choose a scale which uses most of the grid provided on the exam paper; don’t make the chart too small.
• Take care to draw the top of each block in the correct place – double check with the table of data each time.
• Draw the columns evenly so that they are all the same width (use the boxes!)
• The y-axis should be properly scaled with equal intervals just as in a line graph and should be labelled with units.
• The spaces between the columns on the x-axis should be identical; they should be the same length.
• You should identify each block by putting a label directly underneath each block. Don’t shade the blocks or colour code them.

Question 9

Drawing line graphs

Answer 9

• If you have to plot two lines on a graph, use two different symbols for the plot points. Label each line carefully or use a key.
• Don’t extend your line graph beyond the last plotted point.
• You have to decide whether to use a straight line of best fit, a smooth curve of best fit or join the points by straight lines.
• Have a scale which uses most of the grid provided on the exam paper. Choose a simple scale.
• Write the name of each axis and the correct unit, e.g. temperature/°C,
• Remember that lines of best fit don’t have to pass through the point where the two axes meet (the origin)

Question 10

Drawing histograms

Answer 10

• The blocks should be drawn touching.
• Choose a scale which uses most/all of the grid provided on the exam paper.
• The x-axis represents the independent variable and is continuous. It should be properly scaled and labelled with appropriate units.
• Widths of the blocks should be the same.
• The y-axis represents the number or frequency and should be properly scaled with equal intervals.
• Blocks should be labelled with frequencies

Question 11

Drawing a table

Answer 11

• Independent variable on the left hand side
• Dependent variable on the left hand side (top)
• Must include repeat and the average
• Units in the headings!

Question 12

Magnification

Answer 12

Magnification = (Image size / Actual size)