IGCSE Physics ATP

- Ayesha, Vansh
The five pillars of ATP:
Measurement - Reading scales, Inaccuracies
Interpretation - Calculation, Anomaly exclusion
Organisation - Tabulation, Graphing
Analysis - Judging relationships and correlation
Experiment planning - Variables, Apparatus, Procedure
 Pillar One

Measurement
Eliminating Inaccuracy
Repeat the experiment and calculate
the average reading.
For linear scales, look perpendicular
to the scale to avoid parallax error.
Measure from the bottom from the
meniscus.
Minimise human error by, for
example, measuring time taken for 10
oscillations instead of 1 and dividing
by 10
Measuring Volume
Regular blocks: Length × Width × Height
4
Spheres: πr 3
3
Cylinders: 2πr H
Irregular solids:
Fill measuring cylinder with water and measure V₁
Immerse the solid and measure V₂
Volume = V₂ - V₁
 Pillar Two

Interpretation
Calculations
Rise
Gradient:
Run
x2 − x1
Percentage change:
x1
Power =
Voltage × Current
Energy ÷ Time
Specific heat capacity: Energy
Mass × ΔTemperature
 Pillar Three

Organisation
Tables
Column headings: Quantity + Unit
Consistent rounding off in numerical values
Calculated values and averages must be rounded off to least
number of SFs of the values derived
Graphs
Label both axes with quantities and units
Choose a proper scale
Draw neat lines with a sharpened pencil
Draw a well-judged curve of best fit
Draw a triangle on the graph when deducing
gradient
 Pillar Four

Analysis
Correlation
Two quantities are directly proportional if:
One quantity increases with increase in the other
The graph is a straight line from origin
You may be required to extrapolate the graph to verify this
Two quantities are inversely proportional if:
One quantity decreases with increase in the other
Verification
The observations match the expected outcome if:
Calculated values match within experimental accuracy
This is assumed to be ±10% from the expected value
You must justify your statement with reference to given or
calculated values. It may be helpful to include the reasons
behind why the values match.
 Pillar Five

Experiment
Planning
The mnemonic
I Don’t Care, So Run Away
Data representation
Draw a table with quantities and credible units for values that
are set or measured throughout your experiment
Include any values that may be calculated to obtain results
Explain how these results can be used to justify the statement in
the conclusion
 Thank you
Credits:
Session hosting: r/IGCSE Server
Explanation: Ayesha
Design: Vansh
Inspiration:
r/IGCSE Resource Repository
ZNotes