PHYSICS PAPER 3

20 COMMON ANSWERS

(a) Two/three readings are not enough to make a valid conclusion

- Take more readings and plot a graph
Note: This answer can be used for all experiments
(b) The value of (a physical quantity) is small so the percentage uncertainty
of (the quantity) is large
- (The way to make the value of the quantity larger)
(c) The movement/oscillation of (something) is affected by wind movement
- Use a wind shield when carrying out the experiment
(d) Difficult to determine the start and end of oscillation/movement of
(something) because it moves too fast
- Use a video camera with slow motion feature and timer to video the
experiment with scale, then view the video playback frame by frame.
(e) Difficult to release (something) without applying a force
- Use a mechanical hand to release the (thing)
(f) Difficult to shape the plasticine into the shape of (something)
- Use a mould to shape the plasticine
(g) Heat loss through the sides and bottom of beaker/container
- Use polystyrene container or insulate the beaker/container
Note: This answer should be used for experiments involving the temperature
of liquid.
(h) The (measuring instrument) is not precise enough
- Use another (instrument) with greater sensitivity and precision
Note: You should state in your answer the specific degree of precision for the
limitation and the improvement.
(i) The length/diameter/thickness of (something) is not uniform
- Measure the length around/along the (thing) and calculate the mean
(j) Difficult to measure (something) due to (specific reason based on
experiment)
- (Suggest a better way to measure it)

(k) Parallax error when measuring (something)

- (Suggest a better way to measure it, such as use mirror scale)
Note: This answer should only be used if the measurement is difficult to
make and parallax error is very likely to occur.
(l) (Something) moves
- (Way to keep it in the original position)
(m) Oscillation does not occur in one plane only
Note: No possible improvement for this limitation. You should write in your
answer the improvement for any other limitation.
(n) Difficult to maintain (something) at (a particular position) / maintain ruler
vertical
- Use a clamp
(o) Difficult to zero the newton-meter when used horizontally
Note: No possible improvement for this limitation. You should write in your
answer the improvement for any other limitation.
(p) Friction at pulley
- Apply oil to lubricate the pulley
(q) Resistance of contacts
- Clean the contacts
Note: This answer should be used for electric experiments.
(r) Difficult to determine when (something) reach the maximum height
because it remains there for too short a time
(s) Difficult to take the reading of newton-meter immediately when
(something) starts to move because it moves suddenly
(t) Difficult to start or stop the stopwatch immediately when (something)
passes through (somewhere)
- Use a video camera with slow motion feature and (the measuring device) to
video the experiment with scale, then view the video playback frame by
frame.
Note: The same improvement can be used for limitations r, s and t.

Gold Nuggets For All Practicals

-Draw the tables before carrying out the experiment so that you can record your
readings in the table straight away during the experiment.
- For questions on titration, you should first perform a rough titration, then perform
2 accurate titrations.
Record the initial burette reading and final burette reading for each titration, then
calculate the titre. You should record everything in a table. All readings should be
recorded to 2 decimal places.
The titre for the 2 accurate titrations should not differ by more than 0.10cm3.
Then, calculate the mean titre for the 2 accurate titrations. The mean should be
given to 2 decimal places.
- For questions on qualitative analysis, for each chemical test, you should use about
1cm depth or 2cm3 of each solution unless otherwise stated by the question.
You have to record the full observations.
State if there is any colour change or if precipitate forms.
For any colour change, indicate both the initial and final colour, as well as the stage
in which the change occurs if more than one reagents are added.
If precipitate forms, state the colour of precipitate and whether it is soluble in
excess of the reagent added, and if it is soluble state the colour of the solution
formed.
If you see any bubbles formed, it means that gas is released, and you should carry
out gas tests to determine what the gas is.
Only gas tests in the Qualitative Analysis Notes at the last page of question paper
should be carried out.
The gas can be any one of the 6 gases, but based on the type of reagents added
and your experience in doing Chemistry practical work, you may be able to predict
the type of gas released and thus choose the appropriate gas test to be carried out
(For example, if a metal is added to an unknown solution and gas is released, it is
likely that the solution is an acid and thus hydrogen gas is released, so you should
carry out the gas test for hydrogen).
State that effervescence occurs and state the observations of the gas test
which is positive and the type of gas released.
When determining the type of an unknown chemical, it should be based on your
observations and refer to the Qualitative Analysis Notes at the last page of question
paper.