Category Archives: Sec 4 (2020)

Sec 4 (2020)

Answers to Practical Revision Exercise 1

For a more complete list see:

physics.shone.sg/notes/basics/reading-raw-data/

 

Activity 1: Setting up the retort stand and simple pendulum

1.

The length of a pendulum is to the centre of the bob – the CoG of the bob.

3. Place a heavy object at the base of the retort stand to ensure it will not topple. (see diagram above)

4. Any complete cycle: eg A→B→C→B→A

or

Reminder θ should be very small. Pull the bob just a few centimetres. Smaller angles actually give (slightly) better results. Max angle should be 10°. (Aim for 5° – estimate don’t need to use a protractor).

5. n =20

6. Use a reference vertical line (e.g. retort stand) at the centre of the oscillation when counting the oscillations.

7. Honestly in this experiment a single reading will suffice!

Reason: We are averaging any human reaction time over 20 oscillations. This already will likely give only a tiny error in an individual period.

8.

9. Ensure that the angular displacement θ (shown in Fig. 1.2) is smaller than 5° to reduce the effects of air resistanceon the oscillation.

  1. Temperature of the water = (record to 0.5 °C)

 

  1. Use a retort stand, boss-head and clamp to hold the thermometer in a fixed vertical position. The bulb of the thermometer should be fully submerged in water and not in contact with the wall or the bottom of the beaker. Also ensure that the scale of the thermometer is not blocked from your view.

Activity 2: Measuring lengths

 

1. All readings including average recorded to 2 d.p.

 

2.

 

3. To account for non-uniformity in the lengths due to imprecise manufacturing.

*depends on balance actually provided; 0.1 g precision electronic balance also available.

Activity 3: Measurements with mass, weight & volume

1.

Ensure there is no zero error in the electronic balance before any measurement (press “tare”).

Ensure there is no zero error in the spring balance before any measurement. Ensure that the measuring cylinder is completely dry before any measurement.
Ensure that the 20 g mass is placed gently into the measuring cylinder with water without splashing.

2. Measure the total volume of all the 20 g mass available before taking the average.

 

Activity 4.1: Use of lens system

  1. The method using u and v should be used. The lengths u and v are much larger (than ho and hi) so their measurements would have smaller percentage errors, and the magnification calculated would have higherprecision.

 

  1. The set square was used to accurately align the position of the illuminated object with the metre rule.

 

  1. There was human judgement error in determining the position of the sharpest image of the object observed when measuring the image distance.

 

Activity 4.2: Use of glass block and optical pins

1.

The optical pins were ensured to be vertical during the measurements.

 

Each pair of optical pins on each side of the glass block were ensured to be at least 5.0 cm apart.

 

  1. There may be human judgement error in determining the alignment of the optical pins and their imagesthrough the glass block.

The size of the holes made by the optical pins may be large and affect the accuracy of the lines drawn torepresent the refracted rays.

Sec 4 (2020)

SEC4 WA2 Class Test

Date:

Thursday, 13 August (Week 10)

Time:

8:30 – 9:45 (75 mins)

Format:

15 MCQ (15 marks)
Structured Questions (35 marks)

Topics:

General Wave Properties
Sound
Static Electricity
Current of electricity
D.C. circuits
Practical electricity
Magnetism
Electromagnetism

Sec 4 (2020)

WA2 Poster Submission

I have created a Google Classroom for you to submit your FINAL WA2 poster.
The Google Classroom code is:

7t75l24

Deadline – Monday 15 June, 11:59pm
There is no size limit to the poster – two pages. All text to be a readable size when printed out at A4 size would be expected.
Please refer to the rubrics to ensure you get maximum marks – if you have not been doing so already! They can be found on the original post/email or in the above Google Classroom.
(I may have mentioned including references – apologies that only applies to Sec 3, and so you do not need to include any references to our sources – sorry!)
Do let me know if you have any trouble submitting your file.
Have a great weekend!
Mr Shone
Sec 4 (2020)

WA2 Details & FAQ (Updated Timeline)

The Task

For your WA2, you will create an infographic that summarises any one of the following topics (Chapers 8 – 16):

Refraction
Lenses
EM spectrum
General wave properties
Sound
Static electricity
Current electricity
DC circuits
Practical electricity

Please see the attached pdf for more details and go through it carefully.

Weighted Assessment 2 (Sec 4) Details

Deadlines
You are encouraged to submit a draft by 29 April 2020 for feedback before the final poster is submitted on 15 June 2020. 20% deduction of marks will be imposed on late submissions. Any submission later than 18 June 2020 will be given zero marks.

Submission details
Your subject teachers will update you about where to submit your draft and the completed poster.

If you have any queries, feel free to clarify with me or your subject teachers.

 

FAQ

Is an infographic the same as a mind-map?

A mind-map is a type of infographic, but you don’t have to lay out everything like a mind-map. Also, mind-maps are frequently text-based, and we are encouraging you to use as many tables, charts, diagrams as possible to help in your explanations.

Can I use an App to help make the poster?

Yes.

Can I draw everything on paper?

Yes. But you will obviously need to scan this in at the end in order to submit online and meet the requirements of being an e-poster. The examples given to you on the WA2 Task Document was obviously created this way.

Can I use non-copyrighted photos/images from the internet?

No. All images must be created by you. Think of the task as being asked in an exam paper and you were given a blank piece of paper – what would you be able to come up with then?

But I can’t draw! Will I be penalised against for poor quality diagrams?

No (as long as you obviously tried your best!) Mr Shone can’t draw either, so he understands (and will not laugh) when your hand-drawn picture of a man looks like a chicken!

With the extended CB will the deadlines be changed?

The teachers have not been informed to make any changes at the current time. If there are any changes to deadlines you will be informed ASAP.

 

Hope this helps!

Stay safe. ?

Mr Shone

Sec 3 (2020), Sec 4 (2020)

Apollo 13 – 50th Anniversary of “Houston, we have a problem!”

One of the most eventful of space missions!

An explosion on board on the way to the Moon left the astronauts scrambling to stay alive, and make it back to Earth.

The phrase “Houston, we have a problem!” (not an exact quote from the mission I know) is a popular quotation from the radio communications between the Apollo 13 astronauts and the NASA Mission Control Center, during the Apollo 13 spaceflight, as the astronauts communicated their discovery of the explosion that crippled their flight.

If you don’t know the story, I highly recommend watching the movie Apollo 13 – Not sure if its on Netflix at the moment.

Alternatively, listen to this great podcast

BBC Podcast – 13 Minutes to the Moon Season 2

 

Or present you were alive in 1970 and follow the “live”streaming from 50 years ago.

https://www.engadget.com/apollo-13-real-time-204640332.html

Sec 4 (2020)

Physics WA1: Term 1, Week 7, Friday

WA1 will be held on Friday, 21 February, White Space Period before school. (report by 8:00am)

Topics covered will be:
Ch 8: Refraction
Ch 9: Lenses
Ch 11: General Wave Properties

Format:

  • Multiple Choice Questions – 10 marks
  • Short Structured Questions – 20 marks
  • Total = 30 marks

Notes:             

  • Venue will be usual physics classroom
  • Please remember to bring along a protractor and calculator for the test.
  • All electronic devices are to be kept in your bags. All bags are to be placed at the back of the classroom.
  • The tables should be arranged in single rows before the start of the paper.

 

Sec 4 (2020)

Physics Quiz 1: Refraction

Physics Quiz 1 (Non-graded) will beheld at the flowing times/dates:

404: Tuesday, 11 February @8:30 am

405/409/413: Monday, 10 February @9:30 am

410: Tuesday, 11 February @1:30 pm

Topic: All of Chapter 8: REFRACTION

Format: 10 marks / 15 minutes

Sec 4 (2020)

Young Defence Scientists Programme (World of Science Modules 2020)

Dear Sec 4s, 

You are invited to apply for the Young Defence Scientists Programme (World of Science Modules 2020).

A total of 7 exciting WOS enrichment modules are offered this year! To help you better understand the fun and enriching WOS modules, the organiser prepared a short video which presents the highlights of WOS 2019. More details of the modules can be found in the attached WOS Synopsis 2020.

The WOS modules are open to IP4 (the equivalent of Sec 4) & IP5 (the equivalent of JC1) students, with a strong interest in Physics, Mathematics and Information Technology, and are able to commit their time fully.

A Certificate of Participation will be given to students who achieve 100% attendance for the modules. Please note that students may select up to three modules according to their preference. If selected, they will only attend ONE module.

Please note that WOS 2020 is only to Singaporeans.

Interested applicants who are able to fully commit may fill up an application form at https://forms.gle/vrCF1sfCLmsbqD5j9

The application will close on 7 Feb 2020. Places are limited.

Late applications will not be entertained.

Regards,
Your Physics Teachers

WOS Synopsis 2020

Sec 3 (2020), Sec 4 (2020)

Some very respected Scientists will be visiting HCI next week

Dear students,

HCI has extended an invitation for students from our school to attend the Grand Ceremony of the 12th International Science Youth Forum 2020 (ISYF 2020) on 15 January 2020 (Wednesday), 1430 – 1730 hrs, at the Cheng Yi Auditorium, Hwa Chong Institution.
During the Grand Ceremony of ISYF, Nobel Laureates Sir Tim Hunt (Physiology or Medicine, 2001), Sir Konstantin Novoselov (Physics, 2010) and 2006 Field Medallist, Professor Wendelin Werner will have dialogue with participate in the Forum and share their knowledge and experiences with the participants.
If you are keen to attend the event, please indicate your name in the following Google Form by 10 Jan 1700 hrs:
Participants will be required to report to the venue by 1400 hrs on 15 Jan.
If you have other commitments and lessons during the period, you will need to request excuse from your teacher-in-charge.