practical skills

Question 1

Protractor

Answer 1

Smallest division, 1 degree

Question 2

Ruler

Answer 2

Smallest division, 0.1cm

Question 3

Electronic balance

Answer 3

Smallest division, 0.1g

Question 4

Spring balance

Answer 4

Smallest division, 0.1N

Question 5

Measuring cylinder

Answer 5

Half smallest division, 0.5 cm cube

Question 6

Thermometer

Answer 6

Half smallest division, 0.5 degree Celsius

Question 7

Ammeter

Answer 7

Half smallest division, 0.01A

Question 8

Milliammeter

Answer 8

Half smallest division, 1 mA

Question 9

Voltmeter

Answer 9

Half smallest division, 0.05 V

Question 10

Stopwatch

Answer 10

Due to reaction time, 0.1s

Question 11

Significant figures/decimal places for calculated quantities - addition/subtraction

Answer 11

Least number of decimal places

Question 12

Significant figures/decimal places for calculated quantities - multiplication / division

Answer 12

Least number of significant figures

Question 13

Significant figures/decimal places for calculated quantities - exceptions

Answer 13

1: calculating data value T, the significant figures of n is not taken into account as it has no inherent error
2: when trigonometry operators are used, the answer should have the same number of significant figures as the raw data

Question 14

Recording readings - raw data & processed data

Answer 14

Raw data on the left hand side, processed data on the right hand side

Question 15

Recording readings- headings

Answer 15

Conventional symbols with appropriate units included

Question 16

Recording readings - record of values

Answer 16

Don’t write the units inside the table , do not show any calculations within the table

Question 17

Recording readings- first column

Answer 17

• Independent variable
• arranged in increasing or decreasing order
• same number of decimal places
• Regular increments
• difference of largest and smallest reading should be over half of what is available to be changed

Question 18

Recording readings - second column

Answer 18

• Dependent variable
• measurements of dependent variable are repeated to obtain an average

Question 19

Graph plotting - axes

Answer 19

• Axes must be thin and drawn on the printed and lines
• both axes must be labelled
• regular intervals, no fractions

Question 20

Graph plotting - scale

Answer 20

Ratios: 1:1, 1:2,1:5

Question 21

Graph plotting-points

Answer 21

Use a small cross to mark your points clearly, points must be plotted to half the smallest division

Question 22

Graph plotting-line

Answer 22

Best fit line minimizes the distance between the points and the line.
avoid anomalous points.

Question 23

Graph plotting-gradient

Answer 23

• Label the gradient coordinates in the graph clearly, to half the smallest division.
• y1-y2 / x1-x2

Question 24

Graph plotting -graphical analysis

Answer 24

• Line is straight and passes through origin: y is directly proportional to x
• line is straight but does not pass through origin: y increases linearly with x
• line is straight but does not pass through origin (downwards): y decreases linearly x
• if the curve has a general positive gradient: as x increases, y increases non-linearly