WJEC Physics for AS Level Student Book 2nd Edition

5 About this book Top tips are to help you avoid common unnecessary mistakes. Maths tip See Chapter 4 for help with finding the gradient of a graph for straight and curved graphs. Practical check See Section 3.2 for a suggestion on measuring the diameter of a wire. The AS examination Examination papers are constructed from questions that require a variety of skills to answer. Some will assess whether you can recall facts, experimental procedures and physical laws, such as Newton’s laws. In others you will need to apply your knowledge in verbal or mathematical ways and to analyse experimental results. Some questions require maths; some require experimental skills. There are three basic assessment objectives (AOs), each of which contributes a fixed percentage of the marks in each paper and which include all the other skills. Here is a brief description of each of the AOs, with its examination weighting. Assessment objective 1 (AO1) Learners must: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures 35% of the marks for questions set on the examination papers are for AO1. As well as pure recall, such as stating laws and definitions, this includes knowing which equations to use, substituting into equations and describing experimental techniques. Assessment objective 2 (AO2) Learners must: Apply knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas, processes, techniques and procedures: • in a theoretical context • in a practical context • when handling qualitative data • when handling quantitative data. 45% of the marks for questions set on the examination papers are for AO2. Bringing together ideas to explain phenomena, solving mathematical problems and performing calculations using experimental results and graphs are categorised as AO2. Application involves using the skills you have acquired in situations you have not previously encountered, e.g. in synoptic questions. Assessment objective 3 (AO3) Learners must: Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific information, ideas and evidence, including in relation to issues, to: • make judgements and reach conclusions • develop and refine practical design and procedures. 20% of the marks for questions set on the examination papers are for AO3.These marks include determining quantities using experimental results and also responding to data to draw conclusions. AS Physics Units 1 and 2 written papers The two papers usually consist of 7 or 8 structured questions (see below). You cannot, however, assume that each topic will have a question related to it: • Some topics have closely related material, e.g. kinematics, dynamics and energy in Unit 1. Hence a question might cover areas of two (or all three) of these topics. • Questions involving practical skills tend to be longer questions. • Some topics, e.g. basic physics, have a larger content than the average. Answering examination questions Before you start answering any questions, you need to do some checks. 1. Is it the right examination paper? 2. Is the examination paper complete? 3. Do you know where the last question finishes? (Look for the message END OF PAPER.) 4. Do you know when the exam finishes? 5. Do you have a copy of the Data Booklet? Time and mark allocation When you answer the questions, if you allow yourself a minute for each mark this will give you ten minutes for checking over your work. Check the number of marks for each section of a question – don’t miss out on marks because you have left a question part unanswered, so scan down each question prior to answering it, identifying the parts and the marks allocated to each one. Top tip Remember that you measure the diameter of a wire, not the radius ! Maths tips and Practical checks refer to particular techniques and often direct you to Chapters 3 and 4 for a fuller treatment. Links to other sections of the course are highlighted in the margin, near the relevant text. They are accompanied by a reference to any areas where sections relate to one another. It may be useful for you to use these Links to recap a topic, before beginning to study the current topic. Link See Chapter 3 for combining and reducing uncertainties.