This document provides guidance on answering questions for the Physics SPM paper. It discusses the format and scoring criteria for Section A questions. Section A typically contains 2 questions assessing identification of variables, data tabulation from an experiment, drawing and analyzing a graph, and stating relationships. Scoring rubrics are provided for the table and graph. Section B contains 1 essay question assessing identification of variables in an experiment, writing a hypothesis and aim, and listing materials. The document emphasizes writing technique for experiments and provides examples of questions and responses.

1. Answering Question Technique
Physics SPM (4531/3)
Paper 3 (40 marks) Time: 1 1/2 hours
Section A [28 marks]
(2 questions. Answer all Questions from this section. Time suggested for section A is 60 minutes)
Section A -Question 1 (16 marks)
a). Identify / State variables (3 marks)
b). Data tabulation (7 marks)
c). Drawing graph (5 Marks)
d). State relationship between responding variable and manipulative variable based on graph (1 marks)
a). Identify / State variables
Manipulative Variable: Physical quantity which its value can be fixed by the experimenter before
carry out experiment
Responding Variable: Physical quantity that change its value in respond to the changes
Fixed Variable: Physical quantity that is set to remain constant through out the experiment.
e.g.
b) Tabulation of data in a table (Section A Question1 )
Tabulate results for all values of l, T and T2
in the space provided
On the graph paper provided, plot a graph of T2
against l
1
Manipulative variable: Length, l of the pendulum
Responding variable: Period of oscillation, T
Constant Variable: Mass of the bob/Number of
oscillation
Diagram 1.1
l = 30.0 cm t =_____ s
T= _______s T2
=_____s2
Diagram 1.2
l = 40.0 cm t =_____ s
T= _______s T2 =_____s2

2. Marking Criteria For Table
1. Shows a table (e.g. which have l, T and T2
correctly in the table)
2. State the correct unit of l/cm, T/s and T 2
/s2
3. All values of manipulative variable, l are correct
4. All values of responding variable, T are correct
5. All values of derived variables, T2
are correct
6. All values of responding variable T are consistent in decimal places
7. All values of derived variables, T2
are consistent in decimal places
( 7 √ = 7 marks )
c) Drawing of Graph from data in table (Section A -Question 1)- 5 marks
Marking Criteria For Graph
1. Label Y -axis and X- axis correctly
2. States the unit at the axes correctly
3. Both axes with the even and uniform scale
4. 5 points correctly plotted
5. A smooth best straight line
6. Minimum size of the graph is 4(base) x 5 (height) squares of 2 x 2 cm (1/2 the size of graph
paper)
Number of √ Score
6 5
5 4
3-4 3
2 2
2

3. 1 1
Tips For Plotting A Good Graph
• If the graph plotted appear an abnormal point, please check
• Follow instruction for plotting graph, if T2
against l ,T2
must be in the Y axis (If otherwise marks
for labeling will be deducted)
• As far as possible start your graph from the Origin, if not will have problem in answering in the
following section
• For finding the gradient draw a triangle as big as possible, i.e. using the whole graph and label the
base and height
• Both axes must be label with symbol of quantity and unit
d) State relationship between manipulative variable and responding variable(Section A Question 1 )
1. ………. is directly proportional to…………
( A straight line graph passes through the origin)
2. ……….. is linearly proportional to ………..
[ straight line intercept at Y axis (positive gradient)]
3. ……….. is decreasing linearly with ……………
[ A straight line intercept at Y axis (negative gradient)]
4. …………… is inversely proportional to …………
[ A curved graph with negative gradient ]
5. When ……….. increases, ………. increases
[ A curved graph with positive gradient]
(Avoid using T2
increases l increases instead use T2
linearly proportional to l or increases linearly (least
advisible). Other example exponential proportional, inversely proportional, directly proportional.)
Section A-Q 2- Questions On Graph (12 marks).
Analysis of graph given ( 10 or 11 marks)
3

4. (a). Find the length submerged when container is empty
Answer: 5 cm
(b).If l is 17.25 cm, what is the weight of lead shots
Answer: 0.25 N
(c). The relationship between l & w is given by the equation.
W=[ρ/1000]l-0.1 Find ρ of liquid (g = 10 m-2
)
4

5. Answer:
m= [(0.4-0.1)N]/[(*0.25-0.10)m]=2 Nm-1
(* Convert unit to m because g given is in ms-2
)
equate m=2 with ρg/1000 from the equation
therefore, 2 = ρg/1000
ρ= 2 x 1000 / 10
ρ= 200 kg / m3
Allocation of marks
a) State relationship of variables (1 mark)
State relationship of variables. e.g.: What happens to l as W increases ?
b). Calculation of gradient, values (by extrapolation or interpolation), derived values, determine values
based on the graph given (10 marks)
(Show on the graph how you obtain the gradient. Substitute the gradient into the equation to get ρ)
[Gradient:- Triangle almost 1/2 the size of the graph]
Extrapolation-values extend off-side the range.
Interpolation- value determine on the graph (one quantity correspond to another)
Show on the graph, how to determine the value of W if value of l is 17.25 cm.(Interpolation)
What is the length submerged when container is empty (Extrapolation)
c). Precautions (1 mark)
e.g. State one precaution that can be taken to improve the accuracy of the readings in this experiment.
Precautionary Steps For Investigation Experiment
No. Type of
experiment
involving
Precaution that can be taken
1 Light a. experiment must be carried out in a darkened room
b. lens, object and screen must be in line
c. make sure that the line of vision is perpendicular with the scale of metre
rule while reading the scale to avoid parallax error
2. Spring a. make sure the spring is not loaded beyond the elastic limit (that is the
spring returned to its original length when the load is taken off)
b. make sure that the line of vision is perpendicular with the scale of metre
5

6. rule while reading the scale to avoid parallax error
3. Electric a. make sure that all connections are secure/ tight to avoid current leakage
b. The switch should be off after the readings are taken to prevent wires
from heating up/ resistance increases
c. make sure that the line of vision is perpendicular with the scale of metre
rule while reading the scale to avoid parallax error
4. Heat a. liquid is stirred constantly so that temperature rises evenly
b. Aluminium block is wrapped with insulating material to avoid heat loss
c. thermometer bulb must be smeared with oil to give better thermal
contact with the block
d. make sure that the line of vision is perpendicular with the scale of metre
rule while reading the scale to avoid parallax error
5 Measuring
instrument
involving
ammeter,
voltmeter,
metre rule……
a. make sure that the line of vision is perpendicular with the scale of metre
rule while reading the scale to avoid parallax error
b. Take into account zero error of the instrument
*Unacceptable answer: Avoid parallax error (without explanation)
Example: Question 2 On Section A
( Question 2 -Sectioon A, Year 2008)
6

7. (a) (i) State relationship between a and h
Answer : a is directly proportional to h
(ii) Determine value of a when h= 0.30m
Answer: a= 1.5 ms-2
(b) Calculate the gradient, m of the graph, Show on the graph how you determine m
Answer: m = (1.0-0.5)/(0.20-1.10)
= 5.0 s-2
(c) m is given by the formula m = g / l , where g is the gravitational acceleration and l is the length of
the inclined plane. In the experiment, l = 2.0 m. Calculate the value of g
Answer: m= g/l 5 = g/2 therefore g = 5 x 2 = 10 ms-2
(d) Student repeats experiment. Using inclined plane of l = 1.5 m and raised end to height h = 0.10 m.
Using the formula a = (g/l )x h, and the value of g in (b), calculate a
Answer: a= (g/l) x h
=(10/1.5 )x 0.10 = 0.67 ms-2
Section B [12 marks]
(Answer any one question from this section. Time suggested for section B is 30 minutes)
Question on Experiment Framework
a). Identify variable : Highlight and relate the physical quantities to the closest terms. Pay special attention
to quantities which vary
e.g. Q3 Section B P3 SPM 2008
Diagram 3.1 and 3.2 show a worker pushing a wheelbarrow on a soft ground. He notice that the tyre sinks
deeper into the ground when the wheelbarrow is loaded
Quantities which are varied : Weight on wheelbarrow (Related variable = Force),
Tyre sinks deeper (Related variable = Pressure)
b). Writing Technique :
i) Inference (1 mark)
Based on observation-An initial interpretation or explanation concerning the observation. It can be
true or false. Normally use terms like depends on, influenced by affected by
(Observation- Action involve senses in gathering information about an object or event)
Manipulative variable affects the responding variable
Responding variable is depends on the manipulative variable
7

8. Responding variable is influenced by the manipulative variable
e.g: Bigger force causes the tyre sink deeper
Bigger pressure causes the tyre to sink deeper
Pressure exerted on the ground by the tyre is dependent on the force acted on the tyre
(not encourage to write inference same as hypothesis)
ii) Hypothesis (1 mark)
Hypothesis: A statement of an expected outcome that usually states the relationship between two
variables which will undergo a direct experiment test
When the manipulative variable increases/decreases the responding variable increases/ decreases
e.g : The greater the force, the greater the pressure
• Hypothesis only refer to the experimental frame work not the diagram given
(Not encourage writing hypothesis base on diagram)
iii) Aim (1 mark)
To study/investigate the relationship between manipulative variable and the responding variable
e.g. To investigate the relationship between force and pressure
iv) Types of variables: Manipulative, Responding, Fixed (Only one fixed variable needed) (2 marks)
Variable: Physical quantity that can be varied in an experiment
( State the variables that can be measured )
Encourage to write operational definition for variables.
e.g. Pressure is the Depression make on the plasticine by the mass. Force is taken as the
Mass drop from the height of 50 cm)
e.g.:
Manipulated variable: Mass of object
Responding variable: Depth of depression
Constant variable : Height of object drop
(Variable must be related with the experiment and the common one, e.g.:the Period of oscillation, not
encourage to write time for 10 oscillations)
v) List of apparatus and material. (1 mark)
State all the important apparatus used
e.g. Plasticine, weight/object of 50g, 100g, 150g, 200g and 250g and metre rule
No. Physical Quantity Measuring Apparatus
1 Length/Distance/Depth/Height/Extension Meter rule
2 Mass Lever balance/Triple beam balance
3 Time of oscillations/Period Stopwatch
4 Temperature Thermometer
8
(1 mark)

9. 5 Current Ammeter/Galvanometer
6 Force Spring balance
7 Diameter of wire Micrometer screw gauge
8 Velocity/Acceleration Ticker timer and ticker tape
9 Gas Volume Syringe
10 Gas Pressure Bourdon gauge
11 Potential difference Voltmeter
12 Magnetic field strength Number of nails attracted
13 Wavelength Meter rule
14 Control current Rheostat
15 Water volume Measuring cylinder/Beaker
16 Resistant of wire Ammeter and Voltmeter ( R = V/I )
vi). Arrangement of apparatus: (1 mark)
Draw a fully labeled diagram
c). Method/Procedure: (Three important statements) (3 marks)
i). Start the experiment with manipulative variable: ……….. (a practical value)
ii). Responding variable is measured and recorded (ways and how?)
iii). Repeat the experiment 4 times with different values of manipulated variable 20, 30, 40, 40 g
(mention all the remaining)
e.g.
1. Plasticine with uniform thickness is placed on the table
2. Drop 50 g object on the from a fixed height h (object must be uniform size like square shape not round)
3. Remove the weight and measure the depth, d of the depression on the plasticine using metre rule
4. Repeat the steps by using weights of 100 g, 150 g, 200 g, and 250 g
d). Tabulation of data (1 mark)
9

10. e). Analysis of data: (State and sketch a graph) (1 mark)
State : A graph of responding variable against manipulated variable is plotted
or show the sketch with axes labeled ( can without the real shape of the graph)
* Do not describe irrelevant experiment. Maximum mark for irrelevant experiment is only 4 will lose 8
marks (aspects may be awarded marks are : inference, hypothesis or aim, tabulation of data and analysis of
data )
Example:
Mass, m / g Depth, d / cm
50
100
150
200
250
10
Resp. Var /unit
Manip. Var/ unit

11. DO NOT describe experiment on mass and period of oscillation
11
Different mass,
different final length
of spring