Physics Seminar

+Technique Answering Physics STPM+

Term 3(960/3)
 Physics STPM

Paper 3 (960/3)

• Time : 1 ½ hours
• (Total percentage- 26.7 % )
• Part A ( 15 marks)
:Answer all 15 objective
questions
• Part B ( 15 marks)
:Answer 2 structure question
• Part C ( 30 marks)
: Answer any 2 of the 3 essay
questions
 Examiner’s comments

• Candidates do not explain the

symbols used in the equation
correctly and completely.
• Do not answer according to the
question
• Do not care about the units and the
significant figure in the answer
 Examiner’s comments
• Can’t state the laws
accurately/precisely
• Can’t explain the meaning or the
physical phenomena accurately
• Careless with the angle in radian or
degree
• Missed out on the keywords for
example rate of change and directly
proportional
 Examiner’s comments

• Candidates do not read the question

carefully to fully understand what
the question requires
• Candidates do not have proper
planning to answer the question
• Do not master the physics concepts
well
• Candidate wrongly write unit for final
answer. 1 mark deducted
Glossary of the terms
used in Physics Papers
 State

• State
a concise answer with little or no
supporting argument/explanation.
 Example
• State Newton’s second law

The rate of change of momentum of a

body is directly proportional to the
resultant force on it and in the same
direction of resultant force (1 mark)
 List
• List
requires a number of points with no
elaboration . When a given number of
points is specified, this should not be
exceeded
 Define

• Define =
only a formal statement or
equivalent paraphrase being required,
such as the defining equation with the
symbols identified.
• A straight forward definition
 Example
• Define simple harmonic motion

The motion of an object in which the

acceleration is directly proportional to
the displacement from the equilibrium
position and is always directed to the
equilibrium position.
Explain/ what is meant by
• normally implies that a definition
should be given, together with some
relevant comment on the significance
or context of the term(s) concerned,
especially where two or more terms
are included in the question. The
amount of supplementary comment
intended should be interpreted in the
light of the indicated mark value
• Say how and why somethings happens
 Example
• Explain the principle of superposition
for progressive waves.

The direction of motion is constantly

changing. Hence, velocity change and
particle accelerate. (2 marks)
 Describe

• Describe =
to state in words ( using diagrams
where appropriate) the main points
of the topic.
 Example
• Describe the mechanism of heat
conduction in a non-metallic solid (3 marks)

When one end of the conductor is heated, the lattice

atoms in the hot region vibrate with a greater amplitude
and energy is transmitted in the form of heat waves to the
neighboring atoms at colder end.
Free electrons at the hot end move with a greater speed
and diffuse to the colder end.
Some of energy is transferred to the lattice atoms when
electron collide with the lattice atoms.
 Discuss

• To give a critical account of the

points involved in the topic.
 deduce
• Candidate is not expected to produce
required answer by recall but by
making a logical connection between
other pieces of information. Such
information may be wholly given in
the question or may depend on the
answers extracted in an earlier part
of the question.
• Work out the answer from the
information provided
 Differentiate
• Cannot do in table
 suggest
• Implies there is no unique answer and
there may be more than one answer
which is valid
• Just write down what you think is
plausible one
• The candidate is expected to apply
their general knowledge to a novel
(new and original ) situation that may
not be in the syllabus
 calculate

• A numerical answer is required.

• In general working should be shown.
( all the steps must be included without
missing any working)
 determine

• Implies that the quantity concerned

cannot be measured directly but is
obtained by calculation, substituting
measured or known values of other
quantities into a standard formula
• Mathematical steps should be shown
.Marks will be given to the crucial
step
 Show
• An algebraic deduction have to be
made to prove a given equation/a new
equation.
• It is important that the terms being
used are stated explicitly
 estimate

• A reasoned order of magnitude

statement or calculation of the
quantity concerned
• Values must be stated roughly,
either from common knowledge or
justified from given information and
then other values must be calculated
from them
 sketch
• Graph ==
-The shape and/or position of the curve
need only be qualitatively correct.
-Candidates should clearly indicate what is
being plotted on each axis.
• Diagram==
a simple ,freehand drawing is acceptable;
but care should taken over proportion and
the clear exposition of important details
by labelling the key things.
Graph
Diagram
 Derive
• The derivation was not complete
• Students tended to leave out important
symbols or signs.

• Example :
Candidates wrote W = p V (wrong )instead
of  W = p  V (correct)
• Students unable to show simple
integration.
 General Guides
• 1. Answers to calculations
must be correct and written
to the correct significant
figures with the right unit.
• 2. Students will lose marks
if the answer is written
either less or more than the
significant figures allowed.
• Students who rounded the values of
the intermediate steps and this led
to an answer which fell short of the
right value and significant figure.
• 3. Then, what is the correct
number of significant
figures one should write for
the answer?
• 4. How many significant
figures are found in the
data book given ?
Example
• R = (u cos ) T
= (u cos ) (2u sin  )
g
= (11.0 cos 20.0)( 2x11.0 sin 20.0 )
9.81
= 7.93 m (3 significant figure)
• 5. No marks will be given for
the right answer if the wrong
Physics principle is applied.
• 6.The intermediate steps can be
omitted and full marks will be
given if the final answer is
correct. (for simple case)
• 7. For graph sketching, the two
axes must be labelled with the
right physical quantities.
• Otherwise, marks will not be given
for graph sketching.
• Note: Use pencil for graph
sketching so that changes can be
made easily.
– (Sketching and drawing graphs are
different)
Understanding questions
• 1. Make sure you
understand the question
before answering or
making the choice.
• 2. Underline the
keyword in the question.
Before you start
• 3. i) - read the question
carefully.
• ii) - understand the
question thoroughly
• iii) -follow the
instructions given closely
• 4. Plan your time so that
you can attempt ALL the
questions.
• 5. Choose the easier and
more familiar questions to
answer.
• 6. Limit the time to answer a
particular question.
• 7. Look at the marks given at
the end of the question to
decide the length of the
answer.
• 8. Make sure that the number
and part of the question are
written correctly.
• 9. Answers must be concise
and written clearly. Use of
word must be accurate.
• 10. Answer according to what
is asked in the question.
• 11.You are allowed to
give extra facts, but
they should not
contradict each
other.
 Do’s and Don’ts
• Start a new answer on a fresh
sheet of paper.
• Don’t divide the paper into two
parts when answering. ( Saving
is not a virtue here.)
• Write in large and clear
handwriting and use a good pen.
• You can use a pencil provided
the writing can be read clearly.
Questions and
answerings
 Question

• Ray diagram
Answer
The End
•Thank you
for your Attention.
•See You Next
Time
ALL THE BEST IN YOUR
EXAM!