GCE ADVANCED LEVEL PHYSICS PRACTICAL SECRETS

GCE ADVANCED LEVEL PHYSICS PRACTICAL SECRETS

The GCE Advanced level Physics practical can become very simple if you figure out how to handle it with excellent skills. I will be explaining to you practical skill guide on how to tackle physics practical. Knowing the nature of the practical is of first priority because it enables you schedule your time perfectly so that you do not leave the hall without completing your experiments.

Physics practical is divided into two sections that “mainstream” for the first section and “stations” for the second section. The total time for a physics practical in advanced level is two hours. 

HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR PRACTICAL TIME

Firstly, you can split your time for both sections, meaning each section gets 1 hour of focus.

It is advisable to start with, stations during every advanced level practical because they are often precise and can be handled easily when you have mastered the theory of what you are asked to test. 

Split your stations into 15 minutes each. Follow this rule strictly to gain time

Start with the cheapest station you can handle. It might involve something you are good at. For example electronics, electricity or capacitors. For example you are given a capacitor, if connected in parallel with a resistor you know the outcome if connected in series you know the outcome. Once you are given the instruments and the instructions, you can draw a rough connection of how you think it will be like. From there you can connect your appliances in real life then test and record values you will use to finalize your step.

There are stations that you don’t have to measure values but you can get their readings almost instantly from a little sketch or reasoning. For example, a tuning form experiment that permits you to measure the speed of sound in air. You know the speed of sound is 340m/s. 

From C = λf 

Where: C = speed of sound in air

            λ = wavelength 

            f = frequency

      But            f = the value on the tuning fork e.g. 514Hz

From C = λf.    so,

 λ = C/f = 340/513

             = 0.662m = 66.2cm 

           

But l = length of the tube above water. If we assume it made an antinode to a node for the sound to be loudest, then we say the sound wave covered λ/4 length.

                            l =λ/4

                            l = 66.2cm/4

                            l = 16.55cm

     Interpretation of results: this means if you place your pipe 16.55cm above the water level when the pipe is inserted in the container containing water, the loudest sound will be heard. 

Hint: saying 16.55cm can be too suspicious for its accuracy so you can take the value of the length up or down say 17cm or 16.47cm.

Station 2:

You are given two boxes A and B and you are asked to determine which one has resistors connected in series and which one has resistors connected in parallel. This is simple. Even though you are not given the instruments, you can connect your resistors with the lamp given to you and then to a power source but before connecting make sure you measure the resistance of the individual boxes using the miliameter for that is what is going to determine whether the resistors are in series.

You also sum the voltages from the battery that will be provided to you. If we assume that a set of 1,5volt battery is given to you, when you add, it gives 3volts. 

Trick:

From V = IR, when connected in series the combined resistance is higher than the individual resistance. 

If you assume the total resistance = 4ohm, from V = IR, the value of the 

V = 3v, R = 4ohm, I =? Using an ammeter to measure the current flow across the resistors I = 0.75A

…………………………………

For resistors in parallel, their overall resistance is lower than the individual resistance so they will record a higher current flow using your ammeter.

Reason: high resistance impedes current flow, which is seen in the case of resistors connected in series. The reverse for resistors in parallel.

…………………………

Mainstream

Mainstreams often involve longer procedures and they are time consuming. An example is a simple harmonic motion and calculation of the resistivity of a conducting wire. The instructions are often given here so follow the instructions and make sure you read the steps repeatedly to avoid mistakes that may alter your results. If you have a challenge you can ask the teacher and he will help you out. 

Of the two variables you will measure, one variable will depend on another variable. For example, distance over time. Distance depends on time. The discharge of a capacitor depends on the time. Therefore, let the measurement that is dependent be on the y-axis and the value that is, independent be on the x-axis.

Choose a great scale that will be easy to handle your points and make sure your graph occupies at least ¾ of the graph for easy visibility and accuracy. Plot your graph and you have the 20% for physics paper 2.

 

HOW MANY PERCENT IS PHYSICS PAPER III

Physics advanced level has 3 sections and the Cameroon GCE Board test the students on both practical and theoretical skills acquired throughout the academic year. During physics evaluation, the sections get different percentages. Physics paper III is 20% of the total marks for physics in the Cameroon GCE Board and Physics paper II gets 55% making physics paper I to get the rest of the percentage.