1. So you want full marks on your AS Physics controlled assessment? No problem, man

2. A1 – A4 Graph UNITS SCALE

3. A7 Discuss / uses related physics principles DISCUSS; Relate your graph to physics laws. (e.g. direct proportionality was predicted by Newton’s second law etc.) USE; Use the formula and constant (from graph) to show you understand how they link together.

4. A8 Attempts to qualitatively consider sources of error ‘Qualitative’ means without using numbers. What were the problems with the experiment? – too much friction – measuring instruments too difficult to use – fundamental problem with method etc. – Difficult to keep the control variables controlled – Needs to be specific to your experiment Links directly to A9…

5. A9 Suggest realistic modifications to reduce error/improve experiment Use your answers to A8 to guide your suggestions. For example; Reduce friction by using air track/ oil bearings Suggest different measuring instruments (if suggesting data loggers you need to describe HOW you would use it) Discuss how you would control the variables better (e.g. clamp ramp on surface, track for trolley to travel on etc.)

6. Insanity: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

7. A9 Suggest realistic modifications to reduce error/improve experiment Use your answers to A8 to guide your suggestions. For example; Reduce friction by using air track/ oil bearings Suggest different measuring instruments (if suggesting data loggers you need to describe HOW you would use it) Discuss how you would control the variables better (e.g. clamp ramp on surface, track for trolley to travel on etc.) DO NOT, under ANY circumstances, say ‘I would repeat the experiment again’. This is NOT an improvement.

8. A10 Calculates uncertainties Use smallest increment on measuring instrument (e.g. 1mm) Some things have uncertainty written on already (e.g. masses, top pan balance) so use that instead.

9. A11 Final Conclusion ‘I have found out that as …………………. Increases, ……………………….. Increases/decreases. The relationship is directly proportional/inversely proportional/describes a curve. The overall uncertainty of the experiment was ….....%. This is acceptable/unacceptable and increases/decreases my confidence in the result. Overall this experiment has verified/not verified………..(whatever it set out to do…e.g. ‘that F = ma)’