AQA Physics PHYA5 - Thursday 18th June 2015 [Exam Discussion Thread]

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They might ask you to do calculations using the values/graph etc from task 1 or 2, but they will give you any equations you need so it's usually just a case of knowing how to use your calculator.

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They can ask for details on what you did/why/how if the instructions left something up to you.

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Different types of error and how it effects results/how to correct for it or reduce it. All your basic practical knowledge (control, independent, dependent variables) can be tested but usually will give very few marks. Percentage error/uncertainty might come up.

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They had an unusual graph on last years paper (and as it's been said, June 14 papers are now up on the AQA site) that you had to effectively plot points and take readings from.

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Explaining how something shows proportionality comes up sometimes.

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Sometimes there are questions on an unusual piece of equipment/one you aren't expected to know about or have seen before and they want you to apply your knowledge.

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One is usually on a different experiment, and there's limited topics to choose from this year. Thermal physics (specific heat capacity etc) is probably the easiest they can go but it did come up last year unfortunately so that's unlikely. There could be a different one on simple harmonic motion (see 2013's paper). Basically it'll be on a topic you know, but often an experiment that is hard to do in class.

•

They might give you data and ask you to do something with it/answer questions about it.

•

They might ask you to do calculations using the values/graph etc from task 1 or 2, but they will give you any equations you need so it's usually just a case of knowing how to use your calculator.

•

They can ask for details on what you did/why/how if the instructions left something up to you.

•

Different types of error and how it effects results/how to correct for it or reduce it. All your basic practical knowledge (control, independent, dependent variables) can be tested but usually will give very few marks. Percentage error/uncertainty might come up.

•

They had an unusual graph on last years paper (and as it's been said, June 14 papers are now up on the AQA site) that you had to effectively plot points and take readings from.

•

Explaining how something shows proportionality comes up sometimes.

•

Sometimes there are questions on an unusual piece of equipment/one you aren't expected to know about or have seen before and they want you to apply your knowledge.

•

One is usually on a different experiment, and there's limited topics to choose from this year. Thermal physics (specific heat capacity etc) is probably the easiest they can go but it did come up last year unfortunately so that's unlikely. There could be a different one on simple harmonic motion (see 2013's paper). Basically it'll be on a topic you know, but often an experiment that is hard to do in class.

•

They might give you data and ask you to do something with it/answer questions about it.