GCE 2008 PHYSICS UNIT 6PH03/ 1A & 1B Notes on Assessment Criteria This document contains the Principal Moderators

comments on the assessment criteria and is intended to be used by teaching staff only. This document must not be provided to candidates. Candidates should be using the assessment criteria grid which can be found in GCE 2008 Physics specification.

November 2011

GCE Physics 6PH03 MARKING GRID A: Summary of case study or physics-based visit
Ref S1 Criterion Carries out a visit OR uses library, consulting a minimum of three different sources of information (e.g. books/websites/journals/magazines/case study provided by Edexcel/manufacturers data sheets) States details of visit venue OR provides full details of sources of information Provides a brief description of the visit OR case study Makes correct statement on relevant physics principles Uses relevant specialist terminology correctly Provides one piece of relevant information (e.g. data, graph, diagram) that is not mentioned in the briefing papers for the visit or case study Briefly discusses context (e.g. social/environmental/historical) Comments on implication of physics (e.g. benefits/risks) Explains how the practical relates to the visit or case study Marks for this section Notes Statement that a visit carried out or used 3 different types of sources. One source could be the case study. Sufficiently detailed to find the source, e.g. web address with date of access or author/title. States further details of visit venue, e.g. dept of hospital visited. Statement of what they looked at/will discuss. One correct statement of physics concepts. Relevant physics principles. Does not need to be the same principles as the experiment. Any incorrect use of physics language in this section does not gain the mark. Centres should provide briefing sheets and notes so that this can be identified. One example of social/environmental/historical/medical/safety context. Either/or benefits/risks linked to physics content. This could be in the experiment. 9

S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 S7 S8 S9

E: Report
Ref R1 R2 Criterion Summary contains few grammatical or spelling errors Summary is structured using appropriate subheadings Marks for this section These criteria refer only to the report of the case study/visit Should not interfere with the understanding of the text. Minimum of two subheadings in body of report (section A only). 2

B: Planning
Ref P1 P2 P3 Criterion Lists all materials required States how to measure one relevant quantity using the most appropriate instrument Explains the choice of the measuring instrument with reference to the scale of the instrument as appropriate and/or the number of measurements to be taken States how to measure a second relevant quantity using the most appropriate instrument Explains the choice of the second measuring instrument with reference to the scale of the instrument as appropriate and/or the number of measurements to be taken Demonstrates knowledge of correct measuring techniques States which is the independent and which is the dependent variable Planning criteria must only be awarded in the planning section Can be on diagram or in the body of the text. Should cover all essential materials. States most appropriate instrument for one measurement. Needs justification i.e. should comment on the uncertainty if a rule used to measure a length or a comment on the precision of instrument. (Number refers to the use of data logger.) Any second quantity not necessarily the dependent variable. (Allow the same instrument for two different measurements, if appropriate.) As P3. e.g. zero error, stirring liquid, contact resistance, set squares. A statement present.

P4 P5 P6 P7

P8 P9 P10 P11 P12 P13 P14

Identifies and states how to control all other relevant variables to make it a fair test Comments on whether repeat readings are appropriate in this case Comments on safety Discusses how the data collected will be used Identifies the main sources of uncertainty and/or systematic error Draws an appropriately labelled diagram of the apparatus to be used Plan is well organised and methodical, using an appropriately sequenced step-by-step procedure Marks for this section

Realistic but should say there are no others, if applicable. Comment on repeat readings of key measurements Comment specific to the safety of the experiment and should be explicit. If there are no safety issues the candidate should state this and justify it. Complete statement of how candidate will get the result required from the measurements taken. Main source of uncertainty in measured quantities Should be a schematic diagram not a picture of each piece of apparatus separately. Logical not necessarily step by step 14

C: Implementation and Measurements

Ref M1 M2 M3 M4 Criterion Records all measurements using the correct number of significant figures, tabulating measurements where appropriate Uses correct units throughout Obtains an appropriate number of measurements Obtains measurements over an appropriate range Marks for this section All measurements and repeated measurements where appropriate. Sig fig in measurements not processing Results and conclusion Minimum of 5/6 measurements depending on relationship Should at least double minimum value. 4

D: Analysis
Ref A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 Criterion Produces a graph with appropriately labelled axes and with correct units Produces a graph with sensible scales Plots points accurately Draws line of best fit (either a straight line or a smooth curve) Comments on the trend/pattern obtained Derives relation between two variables or determines constant Dont penalise units if penalised in M1 Data occupying at least half a page in either direction. Easy to understand scale. Check the first and last points on the graph. Points should be within half a small square. Should not force line through origin or draw a straight line when a curve is more appropriate. Comment on variables using technical vocabulary such as directly proportional not positive correlation. Relationship between two variables in the experiment or determines a constant. If curved graph determination of constant could be from data (not graph) if sound physics Might be in the planning Statement related to context of the experiment Realistic and justified Justified % uncertainty in one measurement/best or worst straight line from use of error bars with justification of size for one. Not deviation from accepted result. Correct conclusion which relates to the title. 11

A7 A8 A9 A10 A11

Discusses/uses related physics principles Attempts to qualitatively consider sources of error Suggests realistic modifications to reduce error/improve experiment Calculates uncertainties Provides a final conclusion Marks for this section

Total marks for this unit

40