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Physics Paper 5 essentials for the "Planning" section (Generalized points to help you score better!)

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Ok, so these are just a few tips so you can remember what exactly you have to write to get marks. These points are common to all papers (with a very very few exceptions). Still, I'm no expert and do not guarantee anything!

Part 1: Identify dependent variable,
Identify independent variable and
Identify control variable. This is kinda harder compared to the other two, rack your brains a little.
This part is the easiest three marks fed right to you
The first two points can be gained easily, if you just read the question carefully. Usually, the format is "It is suggested that X is directly/inversely proportional to Y" Y is the independent one.

Part 2: Labelled diagram
Method to change independent variable
Method to measure independent variable
Method to measure dependent variable
Any additional measurements to be made
Any formulae you would use, like use tan or sine of measurements to find angle. This part is quite difficult for many, and it gives 5 marks out of 15 so is quite a big deal. To gain all five marks, make sure you never leave out anything remotely connected. Like what instruments you will use, how you will use them and so on. But dont write nonsense like a system where you press a button and everything happens by itself. Remember that this is just a plan for an experiment and do not let your imagination be limited by thinking that only one person would perform the experiment. It is never mentioned anywhere how many should perform the experiment, so you can write about stuff happening simultaneously. For example, if you have to use an observer, do not write an experiment describing the person performing the experiment as being the observer.

Part 3: Plot a graph of DEPENDENT variable against INDEPENDENT variable. Take care to notice if the question relates them as directly or inversely proportional.
Relationship is valid if the line of best fit of the points is a straight line through the origin.
Again, like part 1, this is 2 marks fed right to you. Its the same for every paper, unlike part 1, so is even easier to score.

Part 4: Safety precautions: Imagine performing the experiment. Is something falling, could it hit you or damage the floor? Or is something noisy, could it damage your ears, or is something bright used that could damage your eye? Could the equipment get hot? It is different for each experiment and cannot be generalised like the others, and is of only 1 mark.

Part 5: Additional details:
These carry 4 marks and are also tough to conquer.
Repeat and average can almost always be used
Video camera, with slow motion playback can be used in case of moving bodies
Should you use the same equipment throughout the experiment or should you change them between experiments?
Ensure that the apparatus is parallel, vertical, equidistant or perpendicular, depending on the situation. Use set squares or metre rules where appropriate.
Use large values for independent variable.
Can wind or noise or external light hamper your experiment? Close the windows, perform in a dark or soundproof room where appropriate.

Preparing involves studying and a large amount of research. There are probably hundreds of equipment you don't know about. Try and find everything that might be necessary.

If possible, can someone post a link explaining the working of a calibrated hall probe? Or just explain it yourself if you're good enough. I can't find it anywhere and the description in my book is kinda vague.
 
Messages
118
Reaction score
165
Points
53
Ok, so these are just a few tips so you can remember what exactly you have to write to get marks. These points are common to all papers (with a very very few exceptions). Still, I'm no expert and do not guarantee anything!

Part 1: Identify dependent variable,
Identify independent variable and
Identify control variable. This is kinda harder compared to the other two, rack your brains a little.
This part is the easiest three marks fed right to you
The first two points can be gained easily, if you just read the question carefully. Usually, the format is "It is suggested that X is directly/inversely proportional to Y" Y is the independent one.

Part 2: Labelled diagram
Method to change independent variable
Method to measure independent variable
Method to measure dependent variable
Any additional measurements to be made
Any formulae you would use, like use tan or sine of measurements to find angle. This part is quite difficult for many, and it gives 5 marks out of 15 so is quite a big deal. To gain all five marks, make sure you never leave out anything remotely connected. Like what instruments you will use, how you will use them and so on. But dont write nonsense like a system where you press a button and everything happens by itself. Remember that this is just a plan for an experiment and do not let your imagination be limited by thinking that only one person would perform the experiment. It is never mentioned anywhere how many should perform the experiment, so you can write about stuff happening simultaneously. For example, if you have to use an observer, do not write an experiment describing the person performing the experiment as being the observer.

Part 3: Plot a graph of DEPENDENT variable against INDEPENDENT variable. Take care to notice if the question relates them as directly or inversely proportional.
Relationship is valid if the line of best fit of the points is a straight line through the origin.
Again, like part 1, this is 2 marks fed right to you. Its the same for every paper, unlike part 1, so is even easier to score.

Part 4: Safety precautions: Imagine performing the experiment. Is something falling, could it hit you or damage the floor? Or is something noisy, could it damage your ears, or is something bright used that could damage your eye? Could the equipment get hot? It is different for each experiment and cannot be generalised like the others, and is of only 1 mark.

Part 5: Additional details:
These carry 4 marks and are also tough to conquer.
Repeat and average can almost always be used
Video camera, with slow motion playback can be used in case of moving bodies
Should you use the same equipment throughout the experiment or should you change them between experiments?
Ensure that the apparatus is parallel, vertical, equidistant or perpendicular, depending on the situation. Use set squares or metre rules where appropriate.
Use large values for independent variable.
Can wind or noise or external light hamper your experiment? Close the windows, perform in a dark or soundproof room where appropriate.

Preparing involves studying and a large amount of research. There are probably hundreds of equipment you don't know about. Try and find everything that might be necessary.

If possible, can someone post a link explaining the working of a calibrated hall probe? Or just explain it yourself if you're good enough. I can't find it anywhere and the description in my book is kinda vague.

Please, provide some sample P5 planning questions with diagram. This would be very helpful to all of us :)
Thank you :p
 
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