2. Understanding Standards: Advanced Higher Physics
Course Assessment
November – December 2016

3. Aim of the Day
To support the understanding of the standards applied in Advanced Higher Physics Course Assessment by
increasing familiarity with the Question Paper Marking Instructions and Project general assessment information
asking questions and seeking clarification about the assessment standards applied
reviewing candidate material
discussing this material and associated standards with colleagues

4. Activities for the Day Introduction.
Session A – Marking the Question Paper.
Session B – Marking the Project.
Duration of each session 2½ hours.
Led by Team Leaders.

5. Understanding Standards:
Session A
Advanced Higher
Question Paper

6. Activities for the Session
Marking Advice min
Marking Instructions Q1- Q min
Workshop 1 and discussion 35 min
Marking Instructions OEQ 15 min
Workshop 2 and discussion 35 min
Marking Instructions Q10- Q min
Workshop 3 and discussion 25 min
Questions min

7. Standard 3 Marker 1 mark for selecting a correct relationship.
1 mark for correct substitutions into the relationship.
1 mark for the correct final answer.

8. Standard 3 Marker
If the candidate selects an incorrect relationship, the relationship mark is not awarded, the marks for substitution and for final answer are not accessible, and none of the three marks are awarded.
If the candidate makes a wrong substitution, the mark for substitution is not awarded, the mark for the final answer cannot be accessed and a maximum of 1 of the 3 marks are awarded.
If the candidate makes an arithmetic slip, the mark for the final answer is not awarded and a maximum of 2 of the 3 marks are awarded.

9. Standard 3 Marker
If a candidate’s final answer is correct, full credit is awarded, unless they have shown wrong physics in their working.
If a candidate’s final answer is incorrect, partial credit is awarded for showing correct physics in their working.

10. ‘Show’ type questions
In this type of question, the candidate is given the final answer and asked to show that it is true.
To do so, the candidate should select the correct relationship(s), and substitute correct values into the relationship(s) stating the final answer (even though its given in the question).
Any values substituted into the relationship(s), not explicitly given as data, should be justified.

11. ‘Must justify’ type questions
In this type of question, the candidate is asked to make a statement and ‘You must justify your answer’.
Typically, 1 mark is available for a correct statement which is justified by correct physics, which is worth an additional 1 or 2 marks.
If the candidate makes a correct statement with no attempted justification or with an attempted justification which includes wrong physics, 0 marks are awarded.
If the candidate makes a correct statement which is justified using physics which is correct and relevant, but incomplete, the mark for the correct statement is awarded.

12. ‘Justify’ type questions
In this type of question, the candidate is asked to make a statement and ‘Justify your answer’.
Typically, 1 mark is available for a correct statement which is justified by the relevant and correct physics, which is worth an additional 1 or 2 marks.
If the candidate makes a correct statement with no attempted justification or with an attempted justification which includes wrong physics, 1 mark is awarded for the correct statement.

13. Marking Instructions – Q2(b)(i)(A)
Maximum 2 marks
SHOW QUESTION

14. Marking Instructions – Q2(b)(i)(B)
Maximum 3 marks
STANDARD 3 MARKER

15. Marking Instructions – Q2(b)(i)(C)
Maximum 3 marks
1 mark for calculating weight
1 mark for Pythagorean relationship
1 mark for final answer

16. Marking Instructions – Q2(b)(i)(C)
Maximum 1 mark
In a straight line at a tangent to the circle

17. Marking Instructions – Q3(a)
Maximum 4 marks
(lander returns to surface as) lander v
less than escape velocity of comet

18. Marking Instructions – Q3(b)(i)
Maximum 3 marks
SHOW QUESTION

19. Marking Instructions – Q3(b)(ii)
Maximum 3 marks
MUST JUSTIFY QUESTION
Statement
Justification
Height will be greater 1
Because ‘a’ reduces 1
with height

20. Marking Instructions – Q4(a)
Maximum 3 marks
STANDARD 3 MARKER

21. Marking Instructions – Q5(b)(i)(ii)
Maximum 1 mark
Any convex upward parabola.
Direction arrow not required
Any straight line.
Direction arrow not required

22. Marking Instructions – Q5(a)(ii)
Maximum 1 mark
It is impossible to tell the difference between the effects of gravity and acceleration.

23. Marking Instructions – Q5(c)
Maximum 2 marks
JUSTIFY QUESTION
STATEMENT The clock on the surface of the Earth would run more slowly
JUSTIFICATION The (effective) gravitational field for the spacecraft is smaller. Or vice versa. 1

24. Marking Instructions – Q7(a)(i)
Maximum 3 marks

25. Marking Instructions – Q7(b)(i)
Maximum 2 marks
MUST JUSTIFY QUESTION
STATEMENT (curve) A 1
JUSTIFICATION Peak at shorter wavelength/higher frequency (as Temperature is higher) OR
Higher/greater (peak) intensity
(as greater energy) 1

26. Marking Instructions – Q8(a)(ii)
Maximum 1 mark
The precise position of a particle/ system and its momentum cannot both be known at the same instant. OR
If the uncertainty in the location of the particle is reduced, the minimum uncertainty in the momentum of the particle will increase (or vice-versa). 1

27. Marking Instructions – Q8(b)(i)
Maximum 4 marks

28. Marking Instructions – Q8(b)(ii)
Maximum 3 marks
STANDARD 3 MARKER

29. Marking Instructions – Q8(b)(iii)
Maximum 3 marks
Electron behaves like a wave
“Interference”
Uncertainty in position is greater than slit separation
Electron passes through both slits

30. Marking Instructions – Q9(b)(i)
Maximum 4 marks

31. Marking Instructions – Q9(b)(ii)
Maximum 2 marks

32. Marking Instructions – Q9(b)(iii)
Maximum 2 marks
MUST JUSTIFY QUESTION

33. Marking Instructions – Open ended questions
Maximum 3 marks
Candidates can use a variety of physics arguments to answer this type of question.
Responses are marked holistically, with marks awarded on the basis of the depth of understanding shown.
3 marks A response demonstrating good understanding of the physics involved. May include statement(s) of principles, relationship(s) and the application of these to the issue in question.
The response does not have to be perfect.

34. Marking Instructions – Open ended questions
2 Marks
A response demonstrating reasonable understanding of the physics involved. May include some statements which are relevant to the issue in question, showing that the issue is understood.
1 Mark
A response demonstrating limited understanding of the physics involved. May include some statements which are relevant to the issue in question, showing that at least a little of the physics within the issue is understood.
0 Marks
A response demonstrating no understanding of the physics involved.

35. Marking Instructions – Q6
Possible approaches:
Exemplifying experimental evidence not explained by CP;
Defining the limits of reliability of CP in terms of speed or scale;
Explaining:
wave particle duality;
the Heisenberg uncertainty principle;
general and/or special relativity;
QP in terms of probability.

36. Marking Instructions – Q16(c)
Possible approaches:
Explaining inherent assumptions made in each method
Eg uniform density/ spherical shape
frictional energy losses negligible
release point when C of M is at top of slope
speed measurement at bottom of slope;
Comparing the reliability of single measurements with repeated measurements;
Comparing the degree of confidence in graphical analysis compared with numerical analysis;
Comparing the precision of the instruments used in each method;
Comparing likely uncertainties in each method.

37. Marking Instructions – Q10(a)(ii)
Maximum 2 marks

38. Marking Instructions – Q11(a)
Maximum 4 marks

39. Marking Instructions – Q11(b)
Maximum 4 marks

40. Marking Instructions – Q12(a),(b)
Maximum 1 mark
(The axes should be arranged) at 90o to each other (eg horizontal and vertical.)
Maximum 2 marks
The filter for each eye will allow light from one projected image to pass through
while blocking the light from the other projector

41. Marking Instructions – Q12(c),(d)
Maximum 2 marks
JUSTIFY QUESTION
STATEMENT There will be no change to the brightness
 JUSTIFICATION Light from the lamp is unpolarised. 1
(As the student rotates the filter,) the image from one projector will decrease in brightness, while the image from the other projector will increase in brightness.
(The two images are almost identical)

42. Marking Instructions – Q13(b)(i)
Maximum 3 marks

43. Marking Instructions – Q13(b)(ii)
Maximum 4 marks

44. Marking Instructions – Q13(b)(iii)
Maximum 2 marks
Shape of attractive field, including correct direction 1
Skew in correct position

45. Marking Instructions – Q14(a)
Maximum 3 marks
STANDARD 3 MARKER

46. Marking Instructions – Q14(b)(i), (ii)
Maximum 1 mark
Maximum 3 marks

47. Marking Instructions – Q14(b)(iii)
Maximum 2 marks

48. Marking Instructions – Q15(a)(i)
Maximum 3 marks

49. Marking Instructions – Q15(a)(ii)
Maximum 3 marks
STANDARD 3 MARKER

50. Marking Instructions – Q15(b)
Maximum 1 mark
Systematic uncertainty specific to capacitance or spacing measurement

51. Marking Instructions – Q16(a)
Maximum 3 marks
STANDARD 3 MARKER

52. Marking Instructions – Q16(b)(i)
Maximum 3 marks
Labelling & scales 1
Plotting
best fit line
½ box tolerance applies for plotting

53. Marking Instructions – Q16(b)(ii)
Maximum 3 marks