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Revision Checklist For O Level Physics 5054 FINAL
Revision Checklist For O Level Physics 5054 FINAL
Physics 5054
Guide for Students
REVISION CHECKLIST for O Level Physics 5054
It will help you to plan your revision programme for the written examinations and will explain what
the examiners are looking for in the answers you write. It can also be used to help you to revise
by using the tick boxes in Section 3, ‘What you need to know', to check what you know and which
topic areas of Physics you have covered.
Appendices
This section covers other things you need to know such as:
• symbols, units and definitions of physical quantities
• the importance of the command words the Examiners use in examination Papers
• some useful websites that you might use
Not all the information will be relevant to you. For example, you will need to select what you need
to know in Sections 1 and 3 by finding out from your teacher which practical examination paper
you will be taking.
Section 1 - How will you be tested?
Paper 1
The multiple choice questions cover the entire syllabus, apart from section 25 on Electronic
Systems. You have to choose one of the four possible answers in each question.
Paper 2
There are two sections. Section A contains short structured questions where you may have to
write a few words or sentences or make a calculation. Your answers are written in the spaces
provided on the actual question paper. In Section B you have to answer two of the three
questions available; so take your time to choose your questions carefully at the start of the
examination. Until 2010 you answer section B on the ruled lines at the end of the question paper
or you use additional paper. From 2010 you will answer the two questions that you choose in
spaces provided on the question paper.
Paper number and type How long and how What's involved?
many marks?
Paper 3 2 hours You do a practical exam which is
(practical test) (30 marks) supervised by a teacher.
Section A contains three short questions and lasts 1 hour. Section B contains one question that
takes 1 hour.
You are given an instruction sheet, which enables you carry out the experiments. You will take
readings and record them in a table using a sensible number of figures and give the unit. You will
usually draw a graph and make some conclusions, commenting upon accuracy and on how to
improve the experiment.
Your experience of practical work during the course should enable you to handle the
experimental techniques. Your teacher will be able to give you more examples and explain how to
take readings and analyse the data.
You will need to do plenty of practical work during the course in order to score a good mark on
this Paper in the examination.
Section 2 - What will be tested?
The Examiners take account of the following areas in your examination Papers:
• your knowledge (what you remember) and understanding (how you use what you know and
apply it to unfamiliar situations)
• how you handle information and solve problems
• your experimental skills
These areas of knowledge and skills are called Assessment Objectives. The theory Papers test
mainly Objective A (knowledge with understanding) and Assessment Objective B (handling
information and problem solving). You should note that 65% of the marks available are for
Assessment Objective A and of these only 30% are for simple recall. The purpose of the practical
Paper is to test Assessment Objective C (experimental skills). Your teacher will be able to give
you more information about how each of these is used in examination Papers. The table shows
you the range of skills you should try to develop.
This is a table, which describes the things you may be tested on in the examination. When it uses
the word “qualitatively” you are expected to be able to answer in words or give a diagram without
having to do a calculation.
When you think you have a good knowledge of a topic, you can tick the appropriate box in the
checklist column. The main headings in the topic areas are usually followed by the details of what
you should know.
You can also use it as a revision aid at the end of the course to find out any weaknesses or areas
you need to do some work on or ask your teacher about.
If you use a pencil to tick the boxes, you can retest yourself whenever you want by simply rubbing
out the ticks. If you are using the table to check which topics you have covered, you can put a tick
in the topic column, next to the appropriate bullet point.
There are six major themes in the table, General Physics, Mechanics and Properties of Matter,
Energy and Thermal Physics, Waves, Electricity and Magnetism and Atomic Physics. Each
theme contains a number of sections. The 27 sections cover the whole syllabus. Each section
contains a number of topics and the table lists what you should be able to do in each topic.
You should note that questions in section 25, Electronic Systems, only appear in Paper 2 and are
always set as an alternative within a question. This means that your teacher may have chosen
not to cover this section in your course. In that case you may choose not to learn that topic. Do,
however, make sure that you understand topic 24, Introductory Electronics.
Topic You should be able to: Checklist Comments
□
Electromotive force • explain that electromotive force (e.m.f.) is measured by □
the energy dissipated by a source in driving a unit
charge around a complete circuit.
• state that e.m.f. is work done/charge. □
• state that the volt is given by J/C. □
• calculate the total e.m.f. where several sources are
arranged in series and discuss how this is used in the □
design of batteries.
• discuss the advantage of making a battery from several □
equal voltage sources of e.m.f. arranged in parallel.
Potential difference • state that the potential difference (p.d.) across a circuit □
component is measured in volts.
• state that the p.d. across a component in a circuit is □
given by the work done in the component/charge
passed through the component. □
• describe the use of a voltmeter with different ranges.
Resistance • state that resistance = p.d./current and use the equation □
resistance = voltage/current in calculations.
• describe an experiment to measure the resistance of a
metallic conductor using a voltmeter and an ammeter □
and make the necessary calculations.
• discuss the temperature limitation on Ohm’s Law.
• use quantitatively the proportionality between resistance □
and the length and the cross-sectional area of a wire. □
• calculate the net effect of a number of resistors in series
and in parallel.
□
• describe the effect of temperature increase on the □
resistance of a resistor and a filament lamp and draw
the respective sketch graphs of current/voltage.
• describe the operation of a light-dependent resistor.
□
Safe use of electricity in • explain the use of fuses and circuit breakers and fuse □
the home ratings and circuit breaker settings.
• explain the need for earthing metal cases and for double □
insulation.
• state the meaning of the terms live, neutral and earth. □
• describe how to wire a mains plug.
• explain why switches, fuses and circuit breakers are □
wired into the live conductor. □
22. Electromagnetism
Force on a current- • describe experiments to show the force on a current- □
carrying conductor carrying conductor, and on a beam of charged particles,
in a magnetic field, including the effect of reversing the
current, and reversing the direction of the field.
• state the relative directions of force, field and current. □
• describe the field patterns between currents in parallel
conductors and relate these to the forces which exist □
between the conductors (excluding the Earth’s field).
You should be able to state the symbols for the following physical quantities and, where
indicated, state the units in which they are measured. Although the unit of temperature as K
appears you will be able to use ºC instead.
Examiners use command words to help you to write down the answer they are looking for. This
table explains what each of these words or phrases means and will help you to understand the
kind of answer you should write. The list is in alphabetical order. You should bear in mind that the
meaning of a term may vary slightly according to how the question is worded.
Calculate A numerical answer is needed. Show your working, especially when there
are two or more steps in a calculation.
Describe Try to set out a logical sequence that allows the reader to follow the main
points about something. You may use labelled diagrams if you find it easier;
e.g. describe a rotating-coil generator
You may also be asked to describe
• observations; e.g. describe the ways in which a force may change the
motion of a body
• how to do particular experiments; e.g. describe an experiment to
determine resistance using a voltmeter and an ammeter.
Determine You are expected to use a formula or method that you know to calculate a
quantity; e.g. Determine graphically the resultant of two vectors.
Discuss You must write down points for and against an argument;
e.g. discuss the supply of energy with a nuclear power station.
Estimate Give an approximate value for a quantity based on reasons and data. You
may need to make some approximations; e.g. estimate the volume of a test
tube.
Explain You must give reasons for your answer or refer to a particular theory.
List Write down a number of separate points. Where the number of points is
stated in the question, you should not write more than this number.
Measure You are expected to find a quantity by using a measuring instrument; e.g.
length by using a ruler, or angle by using a protractor.
Outline State the main points briefly e.g. outline a method of magnetising an iron bar
Sketch When drawing graphs, this means that you draw the approximate shape and/
or position of the graph. You need to make sure that important details, such
as the line passing through the origin or finishing at a certain point, are
drawn accurately.
When drawing apparatus or other diagrams, a simple line drawing is all that
is needed, but make sure that the proportions are correct and the most
important details are shown. Always label diagrams.
State You should give a short answer without going into any detail or explanation.