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Posted on August 15, 2012 by DJ Kim 0 Comments Read the 6 Common Mistakes HSC Physics Students Make in Exams. Learn the errors HSC students are making and avoid them.
A large number of students fail to respond to questions involving Compare or Explain or Assess correctly. For example students are listing instead of describing or giving a description not an explanation. Did you know that HSC Marking Centre advises the use of tables to answer questions involving compare, assess, discuss and evaluate? Consider the Sample Responses to 2006 HSC question given below by the Board of Studies: Assess the impact on society and the environment of the potential applications of superconductors.
Impact on environment
Assessment
Maglev Trains
Provides faster, more energyefficient transport More expensive to build i.e. higher fares
Less use of fossil fuels to power train, therefore less random emissions Less coal needs to be mined for
power stations
Transporting Electricity
More efficient transportation Zero power losses Safer as DC is used No need to have expensive transformers Cheaper to transport Smaller cables means more aesthetic benefits More efficient power production No need for AC and transformers Cheaper electricity Cleaner energy
Less fossil fuels emitted into atmosphere therefore, less air pollution Reduced likelihood of acid rain
Beneficial to society as a cheaper, more efficient transportation takes place, less harm to society in the form of pollution
OR
Disadvantages
Maglev Trains
Society
Frictionless form of transport allowing super fast speeds The costs of implementation are detrimental maintenance is a
problem
Environment
The superconductors must be kept at a critical temperature which is difficult to maintain and uses a large amount of energy
Society
Transformers
Allows for large scale distribution of energy without power loss as there is no resistance in cables. Replacement of manual labour causing unemployment lack of technology to maintain a large distribution grid
Replacement of manual labour causing unemployment lack of technology to maintain a large distribution grid
Environment
Large amounts of energy used to keep cables at critical temperatures costs and wastage of materials in creating cables for large scale supply
1 mark for correct formula and substitution and 1 mark for the correct answer
show the working in a clear and logical fashion round-off answers at the end of the calculation instead of during the parts of the calculation.
In the example below, the student made the correct substitution but did not square the denominator and as a result got an incorrect answer. However the student was still awarded one mark.
If you have made a calculation mistake, you may still be awarded marks for your working, so it must always be clearly shown.
mass velocity acceleration force momentum energy frequency wavelength current potential difference resistance
In the example below, the student lost a mark for not stating the SI Unit.
When students are asked how you would improve the accuracy of your experimental results, they often reply with a statement such as repeat the experiment many times. Does this sound like you? If so, then expect to lose at 3 4 marks in your HSC Exam this year. Here is an outline of the differences between validity, reliability and accuracy: Definition Validity Validity is how appropriate the procedure and materials are to achieve a desired experimental result. Technique used in pendulum experiment Swinging the pendulum through small amplitudes to ensure the equation given could be applied. Starting and stopping the stopwatch at the extremes of the motion ensures more repeatability than trying to start and stop mid-swing.
Reliability is how repeatable the Reliability experment is. Do you get very similar results every time?
Accuracy is how close the value Use of more precise measuring devices such Accuracy calculated from the experiment is to as a data logger and a sensor would improve the accepted true value. accuracy.
Make sure you know how to read the scales on the instruments and that you align yourself properly each time you take a measurement. Take multiple measurements (repetition increases reliability!) and then take an average for the result
Systematic errors are caused by measuring instruments being used incorrectly or problems with the instrument itself. Systematic errors limit accuracy. To help reduce systematic errors:
All instruments should be checked against a standard before use. Zero settings should be checked and adjusted (calibration!). Instructions for the use of the instrument should be read and followed. Corrections for instrument bias should be made (if necessary).