1 hour

4 questions
30 marks

g.
Physical Quantities & Unit
•
keep yourself practical
kinematics
systematic error
•
•

°
Mass , Weight Density ↳
Faulty instrument
° Thermometer ↳ method is wrong
thermal
•

Transfer1 of energy
Random error

g.
°

Light Reflection +
Refraction ) ↳

↳
Environment
Human reaction time
o
Lenses
• Dc circuits
°

Magnetism
•
Electromagnetism
 Analog instrument >
→ zero error
↳ erased
markings
↳
markings wrongly printed
↳ not
Error properly aligned
Error is defined as the degree of variation of the obtained reading from the actual reading.
•
Instrument
Types of error

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Method
of experiment
°

>

1. Systematic Error
•

Equation

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This category includes errors which are
produced due to the faults present in the

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instruments that are employed during
experiments. It may also occur due to the
design of the instrument itself. An example

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is shown on the side.

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The height of point P appears to be 6cm
but in reality, it is greater than 6cm.

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a) Zero error: This type of error is {
produced when the zero of the main
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scale does not coincide with the zero of the Vernier scale (Vernier Caliper) or the
thimble scale (Micrometer Screw Gauge). Zero error is also present in a meter rule
as shown above. The initial length of the rule introduces an error in the reading.
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Zero error is of two types, positive zero error and negative zero error.
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i) Positive zero error: This error occurs when, on closing the screw gauge or
Vernier caliper, the zero of the secondary scale is ahead of the zero of the
main scale. This means that when the instrument is closed, the secondary
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scale zero stops before reaching the zero of the main scale. Hence in the case
of Vernier caliper, the Vernier scale zero is ahead of the main scale zero and
in the case of micrometer screw gauge, the thimble scale zero is below the
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zero of the main scale zero. This error is written with a positive sign.
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ii) Negative zero error: This error occurs when, on closing the screw gauge or
Vernier caliper, the zero of the secondary scale is behind the zero of the main
scale. This means that when the instrument is closed, the secondary scale
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zero crosses the zero of the main scale and then stops. Hence in the case of
Vernier caliper, the Vernier scale zero is behind the main scale zero and in
the case of micrometer screw gauge, the thimble scale zero is above the zero
of the main scale zero. This error is written with a negative sign.
 In order to remove systematic error, the readings either have to be re-measured by
correcting the zero error in the instrument or if the error is constant, it can be measured

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first and then removed from the measured values.

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2. Random Error >Reduced by repeat and average !
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These errors are produced due to human reaction time, fluctuations in the atmospheric
conditions like temperature and even parallax error.
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a) Human error: these errors occur due to the mistakes performed by the candidate. It
includes mistyping of the readings, delays in responding the measurements or
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employing the instruments in the wrong manner.

b) Parallax error: this type of error occurs

f when the candidate has not placed his
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line of sight perpendicular to the

lower
/ raise the
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reading. To avoid parallax error, the

setup of candidate must look at the instrument
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directly
instruments so

that line
of
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To remove the random error due to

sight is
perp
.

reaction time and atmospheric

to readings ! conditions, the experiment must be repeated multiple times and average value
should be calculated.
 For example, the time taken for a pendulum to oscillate 10 times in noted once. The
value may contain random error so the experiment is repeated 3 times and the
average of the 10 oscillations is taken.

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•
lamp off

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General Instrumentation readings A

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1. Ammeter → Attached in series ! negligible resistance reading
• max
Ammeter measures the current flowing in a circuit. It is always connected in series with
the resistor. A Galvanometer is a sensitive ammeter that

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is used to detect very small amount of currents flowing in
the circuits. The reading below the position of the needle

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tells the amount of current. If the readings are not taken
with the line of sight perpendicular to the reading,
parallax error would occur.

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2. Voltmeter
Voltmeter is used to measure the potential difference across a resistor. Hence it is
always attached parallel to resistor. Attaching voltmeter in series would break the circuit
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as it has very large resistance and current would not be allowed to flow.
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3. Meter rule
It is used to measure the length of a straight track less than 1m. When taking the
reading the rule should be looked from the top to avoid parallax error.
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4. Measuring tape
✓ Measuring tape is used to measure the length of a straight and even a curved track with
curved lengths exceeding 1m. Generally measuring tapes are used to measure curved tracks. To
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!
surfaces avoid error in the measurements taken by the
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tape, necessary tension should be applied to

keep the tape taut. If slack occurs, the measured
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length would be greater.

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 5. Measuring Cylinder lower .
supper
>

It is used to measure the volume of liquid. On taking the

reading, mark coinciding with the lower meniscus is
observed. Again, to avoid parallax error, the line of sight

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is made perpendicular to the reading by bringing the eye
on level with the lower meniscus.

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colored liquid → upper meniscus
6. Set Square and Meter rule

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A combination of set square is meter rule is used to
ensure that there is no chance of error when taking
the reading. Set square is used to ensure that the

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object is perpendicular to the surface. It is
occasionally used alongside the meter rule to check

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if rule is standing perpendicular on the floor. When
measuring the diameter of a sphere or cylinder, set
squares are placed at the sides to check what

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reading on the rule coincides with the boundary of
the object.
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7. Protractor
In order to measure the angle of an inclined plane,
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protractor is aligned with the plane in a way that the center of the protractor coincides
with the contact point of the plane with the base. To observe the reading on the
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protractor, the line of sight must be kept perpendicular to the reading in order to avoid
parallax error.
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8. Digital instruments
It must be noted that no parallax error occurs when using a digital display instrument.

9. Vernier Caliper
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Vernier calipers are used to measure the internal diameter, external diameter and
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depth. The maximum reading that can be taken is approximately 20cm but it has an
accuracy of 0.1mm.
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10. Micrometer Screw Gauge

It is used to measure the thickness of very thin objects, for example a piece of paper.
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This instrument is more accurate than Vernier caliper with an accuracy of 0.01mm.
Measuring the diameter of a thread, wire or a small metal ball.
 11. Fiducial mark
This mark is used to indicate a point on an object to identify its position at different
locations. It is marked on a thread to check the extension of the wire or in front of a cart
or rolling object to check its location when the object comes to stop. Readings are then

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always taken to and from that mark.

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/ object

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meter rule To check whether rule
1 the
-

←
.

is .

perpendicular to the
ground / surface

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or not .

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2. To note reading from an
analog
when it
g. rule
set square instrument e. ,

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→
is a certain distance away
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ground from your object .
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6g
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fudicial
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^
Mak
l initial
If
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y final
%
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if
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meter like
lengths / horizontal lengths
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vertical →
•

straight
• curved
surface →
tape
small dimension object → vernier caliper
sheets &
°

glass
sheets lthin ) micrometer screw
o wives , threads ,
→
gauge
 Pendulum
1. Oscillation
The periodic motion of a body about its mean

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position.

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1 oscillation: A body has said to performed one
oscillation when it moves from one extreme

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position to the next and then back to the first.

2. Time Period

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The time taken to perform one complete
oscillation is called time period.

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a) To measure the time period of an oscillating pendulum, only one oscillation is not

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oscillations.
b) The procedure is repeated multiple times e.g. 3 times so that random errors can be
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eliminated.
c)
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The time period of a pendulum is only effected by changing its length and the
gravitational field strength of the region in which it is placed.
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3. Frequency
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The number of oscillations performed per second is called the frequency.

4. Amplitude
The maximum displacement of the oscillating body, in this case the pendulum, from the
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mean position is called the amplitude.

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5. Length of the pendulum

Length of a pendulum is measured from the edge of the thread to the center of the
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pendulum bob. The center of the bob represents the center of gravity, the point at
which the whole weight of the body appears to act.
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6. Graph plotting
Plotting a graph is one the most essential techniques regarding the ATP paper. While
plotting, a student must ensure the followings conditions are satisfied.
 I mark :
labelling axis 1
x-axis , y-axis ) I mark :
/curve of
line best
fit
1. mark :
scaling
1. mark
:
plotting points ( ✗ or ① )
i) Axis should be distributed in a way that 75% region of the graph is covered.
ii) The axis should be linear i.e. the change in the magnitude of property per unit
change in axis should remain the same. However, both the axis can have
different distributions.

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iii) Start the graph from the values instructed by the examiner. It is not necessary to
always initiate the graph from the origin i.e. (0,0). Generally, the examiner marks

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the initial points on the graph himself.
iv) Continue your values on the axis succeeding the mentioned value the start. Do

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not ignore the mentioned values.
v) Draw a smooth line or curve as instructed by the examiner.
vi) Do not join the points with straight lines that form a curve trend! It must be a

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smooth curve.
vii)

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necessary to join all the points. Best fit means a line or a curve that has all the
points evenly distributed around it. If the candidate leaves 2 points above the
line, he must also leave 2 points below it as well. Best fit never means to bring as

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maximum points on the line or curve as possible.
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7. Calculating gradient of a graph
i) Straight line: For the case of straight line, select two points on a line at distance
from one another. Candidate can select from the points he used to plot the
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graph but those points must line on the line. They should not have been omitted
when plotting a line of best fit. Formula for calculating the gradient is mentioned
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as under.
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ii) Curve: in the case of a curve, the gradient changes throughout. Examiner always
asks to calculate the gradient at a certain point e.g. calculate the gradient at x=2.
To find the gradient, a tangent is drawn at the coordinate mentioned and then
the gradient of that tangent is calculated. To find the gradient of a tangent,
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method for finding the gradient of a straight line is employed.

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 Best fit line and curve

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Practice
Questions
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 ID
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protractor

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20°

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To know that which
clearly
at
height the shoe
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starts to
slip .
.K

= 20°
M
BY

not
•
board could be sagged •
board
stationary
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thickness board creates parallax

of error
•
IC
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measure the
height and the length of
the

board and Sino =P

apply
PH

'

The stayed for

shoe that the
stationary on board
a
greater angle has the better
grip .
?⃝
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✓

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AS -
-

-
-

-
-

V2
V, - -
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-
-

-
-

☐ -

Take known volume water

of in
measuring
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cylinder Iv , ) .
Add the
stopper & note final
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volume Wil .
Subtract V1
from V2 .
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•
Avoid parallax error
by keeping line
of sight
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perpendicular to reading •

Gradually lower

the
stopper to avoid
splashing
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mass

electronic balance
 2 For
Examiner’s
Use
1 The apparatus shown in Fig. 1.1 is to be used to determine a value for the average diameter
of the wire on the reel.

reel of thin wire

Plasticine

ID
metre rule graduated in millimetres

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Fig. 1.1

The wire is flexible and its average diameter d is about 0.8 mm.

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Describe how you would use the apparatus to obtain an accurate value for d. In your answer,
you should

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(a) state the procedure you would use, ✓
(b) state what measurements you would make, ✓
(c) explain how you would make the measurements to obtain an accurate value for d, ✓
(d) show how you would calculate the value of d, ✓
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(e) explain why your method gives an average value for d. ✓
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You may write on page 3 and you may draw diagrams if you wish. [6]
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BY
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© UCLES 2004 5054/04/O/N/04

 3 For
Examiner’s
Use

L, Lz

It⑥
•
µ

ID
< ↳
plasticine coil
of

H
wire

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) N
/ Lz -
L ,
-

R
- 1
x

AN
H
AS
"

the
"

Wind N number
of turns
of the wire
-

on
..................................................................................................................................................
.K

meter rule Make sure That the turns are

..................................................................................................................................................
.

another
touching Add
plasticine at ends
of
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one
..................................................................................................................................................
.

the coil to
prevent the coil
from loosening unwinding/
.................................................................................................................................................. .
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Note the and shown in the

lengths L , ↳ as
..................................................................................................................................................

diagram Use
the
formula D= Its -411N to
find
..................................................................................................................................................
.
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The
the
average
diameter value is
average because
..................................................................................................................................................
.
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the diameter The

of wire could
vary along
..................................................................................................................................................

length Keep large no of turns

for accurate
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more
..................................................................................................................................................
.
.

value
..................................................................................................................................................
.
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..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................
© UCLES 2004 5054/04/O/N/04 [Turn over
 10

3 A student investigates the oscillation of masses attached to a metre rule.

masses are shown in Fig. 3.1.

Fig. 3.1

(a) On Fig. 3.1, measure the lengths d and w.

d = .......................................... unit = ..........

w = .......................................... unit = ..........

(b) The student sticks the pair of masses together and secures them to the end of the metre rule
using adhesive putty.

Part of the scale at the end of the rule is covered by the masses, as shown in Fig. 3.2.

if now
I
100+-296.1 =
98.05=98 -1cm
-
.

I 9%1
98cm
Fig. 3.2

(i) Describe a method to determine the position of the centre of the masses on the
metre rule.
Note the reading
of the
edge of masses and take
...........................................................................................................................................
The
average
......................................................................................................................................
.

(ii) Suggest why the student does not attach the masses to the lower side of the metre rule.
The masses
might fall if adhesive
gets weak
......................................................................................................................................
.

© UCLES 2020 5054/04/SP/23

 11

(iii) The other end of the metre rule is attached to the bench as shown in Fig. 3.3.

metre rule
small piece of wood masses

98cm
bench G-clamp

,
0.1
"
loom
yay Fig. 3.3

Determine the distance L, along the rule, from the edge of the bench to the point on the
rule directly below the centre of the masses. Use your value of d from part (a).

Show your working.

98cm
center mark :

mark : 10cm
edge
98 10 98.1 -10
L
-

L -
.
88cm 88.1cm
go { 88.1 }
L = ....................................................

(c) The student lifts the free end of the metre rule until the rule is approximately horizontal.

Then she releases the rule and observes the masses oscillating.

She measures the time taken for 20 oscillations. She repeats the procedure once more and

10.56 s 10.51 s
. = .

(i) Determine the time t for one oscillation.

Show your working.

1- =
targ

1056210.51L
tavg = To

10.250-35 0.52675
=
=

=
10.535
0.53
t = .......................................................

© UCLES 2020 5054/04/SP/23 [Turn over

 12

(ii) The student repeats her experiment for four more values of L by moving the masses
along the top surface of the metre rule.

In Table 3.1, record your value of L from (b)(iii) and your value of t from (c)(i).

Add an appropriate unit to the heading of each column.

Table 3.1

L cm
t s

88.1 1881
.......... 0.53
..........

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80 0.46
70 0.42
50 0.27
40 0.22

(iii) On the grid, plot a graph of t on the y-axis against L on the x-axis.

You do not need to start your graph from the origin (0, 0).

Draw the straight line of best fit.

© UCLES 2020 5054/04/SP/23

 13

Hs

0.56 -

try to
bring as
manytopoints
on line as
possible
remaining points scattered
equally about
•

0.52
the line
-

0.60

0.48
0.55
-

0.44
0.50
-

0.40 •

0.45 -

0.36
0.40
-

0.32
035 ¥ - - - - - - - - - - - - -

;
I

0.28 I
0.30
-

I
•

I
0.24
l
0.25
-

l
l

•
,

0.20
0.20 1 i
£0 to
I
to to
30 40 60 do
Lycmtoo
© UCLES 2020 5054/04/SP/23 [Turn over
 14

(iv) Use the graph to estimate the value of t when L

0.345
t = .......................................................

(d) Explain why it is not practical for the student to reduce the value of L

Oscillations happen
very fast Difficult
...................................................................................................................................................
.

..............................................................................................................................................

© UCLES 2020 5054/04/SP/23

 8

4 The apparatus shown in Fig. 4.1 and in Fig. 4.2 is used in an experiment.

0 N 0 N
1 1
2 2
3 3

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4 4
5 5
6 6
7 7

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8 8
9 9
10 10

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Fig. 4.1
H Fig. 4.2
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(a) (i) Name the measuring instrument in Fig. 4.1.
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..................................................................................................................................... [1]

(ii) Use Fig. 4.1 to measure the weight W1 of the block in air.
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W1 = ..................................................... N [1]

(iii) Use Fig. 4.2 to measure the apparent weight W2 of the block in water.
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W2 = ..................................................... N [1]

(b) The length l in cm of one side of the cube is given by the formula
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l 3 = 100(W1 – W2).
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Calculate the value of l.

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l = ................................................... cm [1]

(c) Explain why it is important to measure W1 before measuring W2.

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...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

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reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the
publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

University of Cambridge International Examinations is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of
Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.
© UCLES 2007 5054/04/M/J/07
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Marking Scheme

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5054/04 Cambridge O Level – Mark Scheme For examination
SPECIMEN from 2023

Question Answer Marks

3(a) values of d and w with consistent unit 1
3(b)(i) 0 + half the diameter or 100 – half the diameter 1
3(b)(ii) masses are more likely to become detached or adhesive not strong enough to hold them o.w.t.t.e. 1
3(b)(iii) working shows both raw values to nearest mm ; 2

3(c)(i) average of both readings sum of both readings 2

or ;
20 40
and to 2 s.f. only ;
3(c)(ii) (L and (t and row 1 completed 1
3(c)(iii) axes labelled (ignore unit) and independent variable L on x-axis and scale of 1, 2, 5 or 10, etc. ; 4
suitable scale with range of plots at least 4 large squares horizontally and 6 large squares vertically and at least five points
plotted ;
1
all values plotted correctly to within small square ;
2
line of best fit with an even distribution of points above and below ;
3(c)(iv) 0.35 ± 0.02 1
3(d) too many oscillations to count with certainty ; 1
the period of oscillation is too short to count with repeatability ;

© UCLES 2020 Page 8 of 10