Practical Skills in the Written Papers | OCR A-Level Physics A (H556)
Practical Skills in the Written Papers
- 86 questions
- 6 subtopics
- Module 1: Development of practical skills in physics
- Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3
Module 1, examined in writing rather than in the laboratory.
It covers how an experiment is planned and carried out, how data are processed and plotted, and how results and procedures are evaluated.
Sample questions from Practical Skills in the Written Papers
Answer each one closed book first, then open the answer.
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Planning an experiment
Why is it necessary to identify variables that must be controlled when planning an experiment?
Show the answer
Identifying control variables ensures that only the independent variable affects the dependent variable, making the results valid and allowing cause-and-effect relationships to be established. -
Planning an experiment
What does applying investigative approaches to practical work involve?
Show the answer
Using systematic methods to plan, carry out, and analyse experiments, including identifying problems and devising strategies to solve them in a practical context. -
Implementing and recording
In what format should observations and data be presented?
Show the answer
Data should be presented in an appropriate format such as tables with clear headings and units, or graphs where relationships need to be shown. -
Implementing and recording
What does presenting information in a scientific way involve?
Show the answer
Using appropriate formats such as tables, graphs, and diagrams with correct labels, units, and conventions recognised in scientific communication. -
Processing and interpreting data
Why must significant figures be used appropriately when recording experimental data?
Show the answer
Using appropriate significant figures reflects the precision of the measuring instrument and avoids implying false precision in recorded values. -
Processing and interpreting data
To how many significant figures should a calculated result be reported?
Show the answer
To the same number of significant figures as the least precise measurement used in the calculation. -
Plotting and interpreting graphs
What quantities should be shown on graph axes?
Show the answer
Each axis should be labelled with the physical quantity being plotted, such as time, velocity, or force. -
Plotting and interpreting graphs
Describe the shape of a graph of y = k/x² for positive x.
Show the answer
The curve falls steeply from high values near the y-axis and approaches the x-axis without touching it, falling faster than y = k/x, so doubling x quarters y.
The 6 subtopics
One subtopic is one session. Work down the list.
| Subtopic | What it covers | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Planning an experiment | Recall questions on applying physics knowledge to experimental design, control variables, judging whether a method is appropriate, the effect of changing parameters, investigative approaches and selecting equipment and apparatus. | 9 |
| Implementing and recording | Recall questions on selecting techniques, using apparatus correctly, SI units, presenting data, safe use of equipment, following written instructions, keeping records, research sources, citing sources and recording observations. | 11 |
| Processing and interpreting data | Recall questions on processing, analysing and interpreting results, valid conclusions, significant figures, gradients and intercepts, y = mx + c, the ln V against time graph, mean values and software for processing data. | 13 |
| Plotting and interpreting graphs | Recall questions on translating between graphical and algebraic forms, rates of change, logarithmic plots for exponential and power laws, choosing scales and axis labels, intercepts, areas under graphs and the shapes of standard graphs. | 19 |
| Evaluating results and procedures | Recall questions on anomalies, precision and accuracy, apparatus uncertainties, validation by the scientific community, systematic error from intercepts, limitations, margins of error, percentage error, improving procedures and combining uncertainties. | 15 |
| Mathematical skills and notation | Recall questions on calculator skills, degrees and radians, quadratics, the symbols Δ, ∝, ≪ and ≫, probability, ratios, standard form, rearranging equations, geometry formulae, logarithms, order-of-magnitude estimates and small-angle approximations. | 19 |
How the guide is worked
Answering a question from memory stores it far better than reading the answer again. The guide runs that as a fixed procedure on one subtopic at a time, about twenty minutes a session.
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Step 1 · Closed book
Cover the answers. Work through one subtopic and write down what you can. Leave blanks where you have nothing.
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Step 2 · Open book
Go back to the top. Read each printed answer and write it out in full, including the ones you had right.
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Step 3 · Closed book again
Same questions, same order, from memory. The gap between pass one and pass three is the session result.
Read the full method, the return schedule and the research behind it.
Nearby topics
OCR A-Level Physics A Active Recall Guide
Every topic, not just this one. 1,862 questions with their answers.