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CAIE A-Level Physics Practical Assessment Skills

Practise recording and analysing CAIE practical measurements with graphs, uncertainty, gradients, apparatus choices, evaluation and correctly reported results.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Physics 9702
Level
AS

Exam points

  • record, present and analyse practical measurements with appropriate precision, graphs and uncertainty
  • use graph gradients, intercepts and linearisation to determine physical constants
  • draw evidence-based conclusions and evaluate limitations or improvements in practical data
  • select and interpret common laboratory measurements and apparatus where question evidence supports it
  • report calculated results with units, significant figures and uncertainty

Covered syllabus points

Paper 3 Advanced Practical Skills

Practical assessment skills question 1

[Maximum number: 3]

One end of a wire is connected to a fixed point. A load is attached to the other end so that the wire hangs vertically.

The diameter d of the wire and the load F are measured as

d=0.40±0.02 mm,F=25.0±0.5 N.\begin{aligned} & d=0.40 \pm 0.02 \mathrm{~mm}, \\ & F=25.0 \pm 0.5 \mathrm{~N} . \end{aligned}

Question (a)

(a)

For the measurement of the diameter of the wire, state

[ 3 ]

Question (i)

(i)

the name of a suitable measuring instrument,

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

how random errors may be reduced when using the instrument in (i).

[ 2 ]

Practical assessment skills question 2

[Maximum number: 1]

A micrometer is used to measure the 28.50 mm width of a plastic ruler. The micrometer reads to the nearest 0.01 mm .

What is the correct way to record this reading?

A

0.02850±0.01 m0.02850 \pm 0.01 \mathrm{~m}

B

0.0285±0.001 m0.0285 \pm 0.001 \mathrm{~m}

C

(2.850±0.001)×10−2 m(2.850 \pm 0.001) \times 10^{-2} \mathrm{~m}

D

(2.850±0.001)×10−3 m(2.850 \pm 0.001) \times 10^{-3} \mathrm{~m}

Practical assessment skills question 3

[Maximum number: 2]

Question (a)

(a)

A smooth pebble, made from uniform rock, has the shape of an elongated sphere as shown in Fig. 1.1.

Fig. 1.1

Fig. 1.1

The length of the pebble is L. The cross-section of the pebble, in the plane perpendicular to L, is circular with a maximum radius r.

A student investigating the density of the rock makes measurements to determine the values of L, r and the mass M of the pebble as follows:

L=(0.1242±0.0001)mr=(0.0420±0.0004)mM=(1.072±0.001)kg.\begin{aligned} L & =(0.1242 \pm 0.0001) \mathrm{m} \\ r & =(0.0420 \pm 0.0004) \mathrm{m} \\ M & =(1.072 \pm 0.001) \mathrm{kg} . \end{aligned}
[ 2 ]

Question (i)

(i)

State the name of a measuring instrument suitable for making this measurement of L.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Determine the percentage uncertainty in the measurement of r.
percentage uncertainty = .....

[ 1 ]
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