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If you want to nail Physics for your HSC, you mustn't make these 6 common mistakes.
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Read the 6 Common Mistakes HSC Physics Students Make in Exams. Learn the errors HSC students are making and avoid them.
Don’t make the mistake of not preparing correctly!
Do you know how to respond to the key verbs correctly?
For example, in answering ‘Explain’ questions, most students are giving a description not an explanation. Learn How to answer ‘Explain’ questions present in the HSC Physics Exam.
Assess the impact on society and the environment of the potential applications of superconductors.
Sample Response 1
| Application of superconductor | Impact on Society | Impact on Environment | Assessment |
| Maglev Trains |
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| Transporting Electricity |
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| Superconducting Generation of Power |
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|
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| Applications | Advantages | Disadvantages | |
| Maglev Trains | Society |
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| Environment |
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| |
| Transformers | Society |
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| Environment |
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Did you know that 2 marks are allocated in a simple calculation question?
In questions requiring numerical answers, you should always
If you have made a calculation mistake, you may still be awarded marks for your working, so it must always be clearly shown.
Students forget to provide the correct units with their numerical answers.
What is wrong with this student’s answer regarding the magnitude of acceleration?
“The acceleration of the rocket is 15 m/s.”
Make sure you know the SI units for the following:
When drawing a line of best fit, students must identify and eliminate any outliers before determining the trend. In the diagram shown below, if a student does not recognise the outlier then he/she will draw an incorrect line of best fit (dotted line). However, once you remove the outlier from the trend, then you can draw a correct line of best fit (solid line).
When students are asked how you would improve the accuracy of your experimental results, they often reply with a statement such as “repeat the experiment many times”. Does this sound like you? If so, then expect to lose at 3 – 4 marks in your HSC Exam this year.
Here is an outline of the differences between validity, reliability and accuracy:
| Definition | Technique used in pendulum experiment | |
| Validity | Validity is how appropriate the pro cedure and materials are to achieve a desired experimental result. | Swinging the pendulum through small amplitudes to ensure the equation given could be applied. |
| Reliability | Reliability is how repeatable the experment is. Do you get very similar results every time? | Starting and stopping the stopwatch at the extremes of the motion ensures more repeatability than trying to start and stop mid-swing. |
| Accuracy | Accuracy is how close the value calculated from the experiment is to the accepted true value. | Use of more precise measuring devices such as a data logger and a sensor would improve accuracy. |
When students are asked about how to improve the reliability and accuracy of the experimental results, most state “reduce human error!” Human error is not a valid type of experimental error! The two types of experimental error explored in physics experiments are random and systematic errors.
Random errors are caused by unknown and unpredictable changes in the experiment, e.g. due to the instruments or environmental conditions. These arestatistical fluctuations in both directions about the true value thus repetition and statistical analysis can reduce the effects. To help reduce random errors:
Systematic errors are caused by measuring instruments being used incorrectly or problems with the instrument itself. Systematic errors limit accuracy. To help reduce systematic errors:
Written by DJ Kim
DJ is the founder of Matrix Education and has over 20 years of HSC Physics teaching experience. He is the co-author of the Matrix Science program, course materials and assessments. He is also renowned for his ATAR & Scaling seminars and development of the first ATAR Calculator.
© Matrix Education and www.matrix.edu.au, 2023. Unauthorised use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Matrix Education and www.matrix.edu.au with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
