CIE A2 PHYSICS COURSEMO Shirley

CIE A2 Physics Paper5 Q2 Tips

Determine expressions for the gradient and the y-intercept.

Rearrange expressions into the forms y = mx + c with independent variable on LHS and dependent
variable on the RHS

Calculate and record values of . Include the absolute uncertainties.

1. Possible significant figures of calculated values
a) Addition and subtraction：round the final result to the least number of decimal places, regardless
of the significant figures of any one term.
For example,
5.5cm (1 d.p.) 5.2cm (1 d.p.) = 0.3cm (1 d.p.)
b) Multiplication and division：round the final result to the same number of significant figures (or one
more than) the measured quantity of least accuracy.
For example,
If values of a potential difference and of a current are measured to 2 s.f.and 4 s.f. respectively, then the
corresponding resistance should be given to 2 s.f. or 3 s.f., but not 1 s.f. or 4 s.f.
c) For logarithmic quantities：the number of decimal places should correspond to the number of
significant figures.
For example,
If L is 76.5 (3 s.f.), then lg (L) should be either 1.884 (3 d.p.) or 1.8837 (4 d.p.)
If R is 1.1 (2 s.f.), then lg (R) should be either 0.04 (2 d.p.) or 0.041 (3 d.p.)

2. Calculation of absolute uncertainties

e.g.

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 CIE A2 PHYSICS COURSEMO Shirley

3. Choose suitable significant figures of calculated values reference to decimal places of absolute
uncertainties：
Allow a mixture of significant figures of calculated values
Allow more than one significant figure of absolute uncertainties
The decimal places of calculated values should be same as the decimal places of its corresponding
absolute uncertainty
For example,
If R could be 1.1 (1 d.p.) or 1.08 (2 d.p.)，its corresponding absolute uncertainty is 0.02 (2 d.p.)，so the R
should be written as 1.08 (2 d.p.)

For example,

So👇

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 CIE A2 PHYSICS COURSEMO Shirley

Plot a graph of against . Include error bars fo

You should plot a horizontal error bar and/or vertical error bars for every data point on the graph.

Draw the straight line of best fit and a worst acceptable straight line on your graph. Both lines

should be clearly labelled.

1. Draw a best-fit straight line that should pass through (or very close to) all of the data point on the graph.
There must be a reasonable balance of points about the line of best fit.
2. Draw the worst acceptable straight line
The worst fit line mush passes through all the error bars
There are two possible worst fit lines
the steepest possible line
the shallowest possible line
You only need to draw one
Usually, at least one of two possible worst fit lines can passes through all the error bars
If neigher two possible worst fit lines passe through all the error bars，slightl adj st one of two possible
worst fit lines to make ens re it passes through all the error bars
3. Best-fit straight line and worst fit line should be clearly labelled .

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 CIE A2 PHYSICS COURSEMO Shirley

Determine the gradient of the line of best fit. Include the absolute uncertainty in your answer.
1. When to determine the gradient of a straight line, the triangle used should be at least half the length of
the drawn line and must work to half a small square. Points should not be taken from raw data.
2. Show expressions that equate to the gradient of the best and worst fit lines.
3. Estimate the absolute uncertainty in the gradient of a graph by:

absolute uncertainty = gradient of best fit line gradient of worst fit line

Determine the y-intercept of the line of best fit. Include the absolute uncertainty in your

answer.
1. The value of y-intercept may be read directly on the plot or and calculated by equation y = mx +c using
a data point on the line. Work to half a small square.
2. Estimate the absolute uncertainty in the yintercept of a graph by :

absolute uncertainty = y-intercept of best fit line y-intercept of worst fit line

express a quantity as a value, an uncertainty estimate and a unit.

1. y = mx + c, unit of y = unit of mx = unit of c
2. Where logarithms are required, units should be shown with the quantity whose logarithm is being taken
e.g. ln (d / cm). The logarithm itself does not have a unit.

Calculate uncertainty estimates in derived quantities

1. Remember you always add uncertainties; never subtract.
2. added or subtracted, then add absolute uncertainties
3. multiplied or divided, then add percentage uncertainties.