Physics Practical Skills Part 1: How to Study for Practical Exams (Free Practical Workbook Download)

In Part 1 of the Physics Practical Skills Guide, we explain how to prepare for your next Physics Practical Assessment Task.

How to Study for Physics Practical Exams

Practical exams are an important part of your HSC Physics course as they have a mandatory weighting of 60% of your overall school assessment mark. This means you’ll need to perform well in your practical exams If you want to ace Physics.

 

In this article, we discuss

 

Want to ace your next Physics Practical Assessment?

Learn how to:

  • Assess the validity, reliability and accuracy of any measurements and calculations
  • Determine the sources of systematic and random errors
  • Identify and apply appropriate mathematical formulae and concepts
  • Draw appropriate graphs to convey relationships

with the Matrix Practical Skills Workbook.

Sharpen your Physics skills

Get exam-ready for your Physics practical assessments with this free practical skills workbook.

 

Can I study for a Physics Practical Exam?

Students are often told, “you can’t study for practical exams because they test skills, not knowledge.” This is simply not true!

Students can prepare themselves for a practical assessment, just as for any other assessment.

 

Process for Physics Practical Exam Preparation

Below is a process that Physics students at Matrix are taught as part of their preparation for Physics Practical Assessment:

 

Step 1: Know the type and structure of your practical exam

There are two different types of Physics Practical exams you’ll be undertaking in Year 11 and 12. They are:

  • Practical or First-hand Investigations
  • Second-hand Investigations.

What’s the difference between First-hand and Second-hand investigations?

In First-hand Investigations, students must carry out an experiment and obtain data themselves. In Second-hand Investigations, the experiment is described and the data provided.

The remainder of the assessment is the same, as summarised in the table below.

Table: First-hand investigations vs Second-hand Investigations
First-hand Investigation
Second-hand Investigations
Experiment
Students are provided with equipment and possibly instructions and must carry out the experiment. N/A – The experiment may be described in the question.
Data collection
Students must record data using the equipment provided in the course of the experiment. N/A – Data is provided, usually in a table.
Data analysis
Students must analyse the data. Often this involves graphing it so as to produce a straight line graph. The gradient and/or intercept are important.
Calculations
Students must use the data (e.g. the gradient from their graph) and relevant equations to address the aim of the experiment (e.g. calculate an unknown).
Analysis of method and result
Students must be able to discuss the variables in the experiment, and assess the method and the result in terms of reliability, accuracy and validity, and suggest improvements.
Analysis of errors
Students must be able to discuss the errors in the experiment and suggest improvements.

Second-hand Investigations regularly appear in exams, particularly the HSC.

 

Step 2: Gain a mastery of essential scientific skills

The essential scientific skills required for both first-hand and second-hand investigations are listed below:

Your success in the practical exam depends heavily on these scientific skills.

 

Step 3: Know how to apply the skills for each part of the practical

There are many different aspects of practical assessments. So, let’s take a look at some things that can be done to prepare and are important to keep in mind.

First-hand investigations – What experiment?

It’s impossible to predict the experiment in advance, so you should not waste time focusing on that. Instead, you should think through all the possibilities:

The syllabus prescribes some first-hand Investigations that must be completed. In Module 5 Advanced Mechanics, one of the mandatory practical investigations is :

conducting a practical investigation to validate the relationship between the variables:

  •  initial velocity
  • launch angle
  • maximum height
  • time of flight
  • final velocity
  • launch height
  • horizontal range of the projectile

The experiment may be related to other work you have covered in the theory lessons in class (in the example above, it is related to projectile motion). Consider what experiments you covered in class and what equipment your school has available. Use the information provided in the Practical Assessment Task Notification.

 

First-hand investigation – Data collection

You will be provided with equipment with which to make measurements.

Consider the dependent and independent variables. Change the independent variable, measure it and record it. Measure the dependent variable and record it.

Record your data using a table like the one below. Note that the independent variable is recorded in the first column of the table.

Independent variable

(x)

Dependent variable

(y)

Average Value of Dependent variable

(yaverage)

Value 1 Trial 1:
Trial 2:
Trial 3:
Trial 4:
Trial 5:
Value 2 Trial 1:
Trial 2:
Trial 3:
Trial 4:
Trial 5:
Value 3 Trial 1:
Trial 2:
Trial 3:
Trial 4:
Trial 5:
Value 4 Trial 1:
Trial 2:
Trial 3:
Trial 4:
Trial 5:
Value 5 Trial 1:
Trial 2:
Trial 3:
Trial 4:
Trial 5:

Repeat measurements at least three times to improve the reliability of the final result.

 

Data analysis

The flowchart outlines the process involved with data analysis.

Physics_Skills_Guide Part 1_Flowchart Data Analysis

The data analysis starts with drawing a graph including the line of best fit (or far less commonly, a curve).

Sometimes the data needs to be manipulated in order for the graph to produce a straight line so you must understand the underlying governing equations that describe the experiment. This means you must study the theory related to the topic of the experiment.

To apply the theory to the practical assessment you must consider the variables, the relevant equation, and how to apply it. Some additional adjustments may be required: e.g. if the equation gives force, but you measured mass.

For practice, you can go through the equations and consider the dependence of different variables. Make sure you consider how you can produce a straight line for different combinations of variables.

 

Calculations

Once you have drawn the graph, you will need to consider the equation that represents the graph, and how that compares to the equations you have already studied. Typically, you will need to identify the meaning of the gradient or the intercept and use it to calculate one of the (control) variables in the experiment or one of the physical constants.

Once again, a good understanding of the underlying theory is important.

 

Analysis of method and errors

You’ll be asked to analyse the experiment in terms of:

You must be able to identify flaws and suggest improvements in reliability, accuracy and validity, and in terms of errors. You can only do this if you have a good understanding of these terms.

Matrix students are taught to use a table like the one below to demonstrate their understanding of how to assess and improve the validity, reliability and accuracy of their experiment.

Validity Reliability Accuracy
Assessment An experiment is valid if the methods are appropriate, carried out appropriately, and the control variables are kept constant An experiment is reliable if you get very similar results for every experiment. An experiment is very accurate if there is a small difference between the experimental results and the accepted true value.
Suggestion for
improvement
Suggest experimental techniques that will ensure the experiment is valid. Suggest experimental techniques that will reduce random errors and improve the reliability of the the experiment. Suggest experimental techniques that will reduce systematic errors and improve the accuracy of the the experiment.

 

Step 4: Practise your skills with various experiments

Finally, practise, practise, practise!

If you know what the experiment will be in advance, you can try and assemble the necessary equipment and practise. If you don’t, then practise anyway on a possible experiment. The important thing is to think through and understand the different aspects of an experiment outlined above. You will then be able to apply them to any experiment.

 

Must Know Practicals in Module 5 Advanced Mechanics

In Module 5 Advanced Mechanics, you are required to be familiar with the following investigations:

Topic Practical Investigation Examples
Projectile Motion Conduct a practical investigation to validate the relationship between the variables:

  • initial velocity
  • launch angle
  • maximum height
  • time of flight
  • final velocity
  • launch height
  • horizontal range of the projectile
  • Investigate the relationship  between the  range of a projectile and the height from which it is released up a ramp
  • Investigate the relationship between the range of a projectile launched horizontally and its velocity
  • Investigate the relationship between the range of a projectile and its launch angle
  • Investigate the trajectory of a projectile
Circular Motion Conduct investigations to explain and evaluate, for objects executing uniform circular motion, the relationships that exist between:

  • centripetal force
  • mass
  • speed
  • radius
Investigate the relationship between the centripetal force and period using a centripetal mass balance

 

Sample Practical Investigation: Dropping a ball from a certain height

Let’s see how the different aspects of practical skills apply with the first-hand investigation: ‘Dropping a ball from a certain height’.

Aim

To measure the acceleration due to gravity g by dropping a ball.

Theory

The governing equation for a falling object is given by:

$$s = ut +  \frac{1}{2}at^{2}$$

where:

  • s is the height the ball fell (the independent variable)
  • u is the initial velocity, u = 0 in this experiment
  • t is the time it took to fall (the dependent variable)
  • a is the acceleration of the ball, which is the acceleration due to gravity (what we want to determine), a = g.

Taking this into account gives:

$$s =  \frac{1}{2}gt^{2}$$

We plot the independent variable on the x-axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis. To do this we have to rearrange the equation with the dependent variable being the subject:

 

$$2s =  gt^{2}$$

$$t^{2} =  \frac{2s}{g}$$

$$t = \sqrt{ \frac{2s}{g}}$$

 

If we let \(x = s \) and \(y = t\) then the equation describing the graph would be:

$$y = \sqrt{ \frac{2x}{g}}$$

This is not a straight line, so g will be difficult to determine. Instead, the data must be manipulated to obtain a straight line. But how?

  • Square both sides of the equation to see that tis directly proportional to s

$$t^{2} = \frac{2s}{g}$$

  • So now, if we let  \(x = s \) and \(y = t^{2}\) and the equation describing the graph would be:

$$y = \frac{2}{g} \times x$$

  • This is a straight line with the gradient equal to \(\frac{2}{g} \)

 

Method

The independent variable is the height of the ball, and the dependent variable is the time it takes to fall.

One possible method is outlined below:

Step Procedure
1 Using a 1 m wooden ruler, set the height to 0.5 m and drop a ball.
2 Using a stopwatch record the time taken to fall. Repeat 4 more times.
3 Increase the height by 50 cm increments for five different height and record the time taken to fall from each height five times.
4 For each height, average the five time measurements.

You must also select a good range for the independent variable (height) that makes the dependent variable (time to fall) able to be measured.

  • For example, on the one hand, if you drop the ball from a height of 5 cm, you cannot measure the time to fall accurately due to your reaction time (random error!).
  • On the other hand, heights of 3 m or more are impractical (as you can’t reach).
  • A good range might be from 1 m to 2.5 m in 50 cm increments.

Use a table like the one below to document your results.

Results

Table: Experimental Results for a ball dropped from a certain height.
height

s (m)

Time

t (s)

Average Time,

taverage (s)

t

(s2)

0.5
  • 0.38
  • 0.40
  • 0.39
  • 0.42
  • 0.35
0.39 0.15
1.0
  • 0.55
  • 0.57
  • 0.52
  • 0.58
  • 0.60
 0.56 0.31
1.5
  • 0.66
  • 0.69
  • 0.64
  • 0.70
  • 0.62
 0.66 0.44
2.0
  • 0.77
  • 0.79
  • 0.75
  • 0.80
  • 0.76
 0.77 0.59
2.5
  • 0.85
  • 0.88
  • 0.82
  • 0.89
  • 0.92
 0.87 0.76

Analysis of Results

To proceed with the analysis of the data, a graph needs to be drawn in order to reduce the effect of errors. To learn how to draw scientific graphs correctly including a line of best fit, read ‘Physics Practical Skills Part 4: Drawing Graphs and Lines of Best Fit

Let’s see what you need to consider to draw this graph:

Step 1: Plot t2 vs s and draw a line of best of fit

Guide_Physics_Skills_Part1_Graph of Time Squared vs Height of a ball dropped

Note that we did not plot t vs s as this would have given a non linear relationship.

The equation describing the graph will be: \(y = \frac{2}{g}x \) as seen above.

 

Step 2: Determine the expression for the gradient from the equation.

This is a straight line with a gradient of \( \frac{2}{g} \). Hence

$$gradient = \frac{2}{g}$$

 

Step 3: Measure the gradient of the line of best fit. This will allow you to determine g:

From the graph, the gradient of the line of best is measured to be 0.3

$$g = \frac {2}{gradient}=\frac {2}{0.3}=6.67 \space ms^{-2}$$

 

Analysis of Method and Errors

Now that you have your value, what can you analyse?

  • Accuracy: How does your value compare to 9.8 ms-2?
  • Reliability: How close together were all your measurements? Are all your points on the graph close to the line of best fit?
  • Validity: You are assuming the ball falls under the influence of gravity only, but is that true? What about air resistance?
  • Errors: Air resistance will result in a systematic error – it always slows the ball down. Your reaction time will result in a random error.

You may need to suggest improvements. For example, a small heavy object will be less affected by air resistance in this experiment. A small metal ball or a marble would be more suitable than a scrunched up piece of paper or a ping-pong ball. While, in contrast, dropping a feather would make the experiment invalid.

The table below assesses the validity, reliability and accuracy of the experiment. It also has suggestions for improvements.

Validity Reliability Accuracy
Assessment The experiment is valid as the methods were carried out appropriately and the control variables such as the shape and mass of the ball were kept constant. Also the use of a small heavy object minimised the effect of air resistance. The experiment is reliable as the data points were all very close to the line of best fit.

Individual measurements (of time) were not that reliable.

The experiment is not accurate as there is large difference between the experimental result (6.67 m/s2) and the accepted true value (9.8 m/s2)
Suggestions for
improvements
Use a heavy object that is streamlined to further reduce the effects of air resistance. Use data logger and sensor to take more reliable measurements of time.

Increase the starting height from 0.5 m to 1 m to minimise the percentage of random error in the time measurement.

Use data logger and sensor to take more accurate measurements of time.

Calibrate the stop watch.

Use a tape measure rather than a wooden ruler.

Eliminate/reduce other sources of systematic errors, like air resistance.

You can learn more about validity, reliability and accuracy in Physics Practical Skills Part 2.

 

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