Category: Assignment

Homework N5 Starters

This homework is a great introduction to the N5 Assignment, which is worth 20% of your exam.

National 5 PHYSICS Assignment starters

Answer the following Questions from the Understanding Standards website

https://www.understandingstandards.org.uk/Subjects/Physics

It is important that you spend an adequate time on this homework (an hour is advised). If you complete this thoroughly you ought to have a good grasp of what is required for the Assignment at National 5.

  1. List the twelve experiments that have been given as examples for the N5 Physics Assignment.
  2. In the marking instructions for the assignment how many marks are available for the underlying Physics?
  3. What are the six sections in the data collection and handling (and I don’t want 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d! BTW it isn’t even section 4)
  4. Section 3e and 3f refer to literature and sources. How do you achieve these marks?
  5. What are the marks awarded for when plotting your graph?
  6. What must your conclusion be related to, to achieve the mark?
  7. For candidate 1, how many repeats of the experiment did they make?
  8. What did candidate 1 do correctly for the graph and what was incorrect?
  9. Mark Candidate 2’s evidence thoroughly yourself using the marking scheme and compare your answer to the commentary. Record your results and the comparison. Comment on both of these.
  10. CHOOSE a topic that would be suitable using the Physics Compendium https://mrsphysics.co.uk/n5/ Research some Underlying Physics and find a suitable graph that you can try to replicate.

Signature

August 2023

Assignment Practical Sheets

ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE SQA

The first thing that you must do before starting your Assignment is to know what you will be doing, what expectations there are and how you will be writing this up. All of this is contained in the candidate guide below.

Candidate Instructions word

Candidate Instructions pdf

Marking Instructions for the N5 Assignment

mark scheme pdf form

mark scheme excel form

In another post ASSIGNMENT PRACTICAL EXPERIMENTAL SHEETS have been uploaded.

I think the following experiments would be suitable-

check that:

  1. the theory is in the compendium,
  2. the topic is in the course,
  3. there is a graph of your experiment online or in one of the text books in school. Does your graph contain data ie, are there proper points on the graph or is it a trendline- which do you think is better?
  4. there is theory that you can write about that relates to your experiment.

Remember If you’ve used the results from your experiment to determine further values, you should show at least one sample calculation.

Here is the what you can take into the write-up phase. Collect a polypocket and keep it all in there.

Pupil checklist flyleaf    word    Pupil checklist flyleaf pdf (Thanks N Forwood)

Assignment Investigation Sheets

NOTE: TO ALL TEACHERS,  IT IS  YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO CHECK THE SHEETS YOU ARE GIVING TO STUDENTS DO NOT BREACH THE STRICT GUIDELINES GIVEN IN THE ASSESSMENT GUIDE AND THAT THESE EXPERIMENT SHEETS MEET THE SPECIFICATIONS. YOU ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR CHECKING YOUR OWN RISK ASSESSMENTS, ITEMS IN THESE SHEETS ARE A GUIDE. 

I have updated the sheets for the 2023 session,

The ones with the mrsphysics logo have been updated.

This table has more than one page!

TopicSheetNotes
Dynamics / SpaceN5 Hookes Law AHookes Law A
Dynamics / SpaceN5 Hookes Law BHookes Law B
DynamicsN5 Acc slopeAcceleration and angle of the slope
DynamicsN5 F=m a AF=ma changing mass :A
DynamicsN5 F=m a BF=ma changing mass: B
DynamicsN5 projectiles A
Projectiles changing the launch angle: A
DynamicsN5 projectiles BProjectiles changing the launch speed: B
DynamicsN5 projectiles CProjectiles changing the launch height: C
DynamicsN5 Stopping distance AHow the speed affects the stopping distance
DynamicsN5 Stopping distance BHow the speed affects the stopping distance
DynamicsPendulum and length
Prop. of Matter
Prop. of MatterN5 Charles' Law AVolume and Temperature with constant pressure
Prop. of MatterN5 Boyles Law APressure and volume for constant temperature
Prop. of MatterN5 Boyles Law BPressure and volume for constant temperature: A
Prop. of MatterN5 Pressure Law APressure and Temperature for constant volume: B
Prop. of MatterN5 Pressure and depth AEffects of pressure of a liquid with depth
Prop. of MatterN5 SHC ASpecific Heat Capacity measure V and I
Prop. of MatterN5 SHC BSpecific Heat Capacity using joule meter
Prop. of MatterN5 Cooling Curve ACooling curve of water and stearic acid
Prop. of MatterN5 Latent heat of vaporisation ADetermining latent heat of vaporisation A
Prop. of MatterN5 Latent heat of vaporisation BDetermining latent heat of vaporisation B
Electricity / EnergyN5 Solar Cell A angle
Solar Cells A Angle
Electricity / EnergyN5 Solar Cell B distanceSolar Cells B Distance
Electricity / EnergyN5 Solar Cell C translucentSolar Cells C Translucent
Electricity / EnergyN5 Solar Cell D area
Solar Cells D Area
ElectricityN5 Ohms Law AMeasuring voltage and current for a ohmic conductor (resistor)
ElectricityN5 Ohms Law BMeasuring voltage and current for a non-ohmic conductor
ElectricityN5 Thermistors A 2023Thermistors
ElectricityN5 LED 2023LEDs
ElectricityN5 LDR AAn LDR -distance from the light source.
N5 Assign LDR BAn LDR - light intensity: B
ElectricityN5 Assign LDR C
Calibrating an LDR against a light level meter
SpaceOrbit period v height
Waves / SpaceMicrowave distance v signal strength
WavesN5 Speed of SoundSpeed of Sound
WavesN5 Refraction ARefraction
Radiation

3779phys2_tcm4-124418 Again this is a temporary file until I can get the experiment cards organised but the experiments you could choose can be found on pp 33, 34, 36, 37, 76, 77, 87, 125

PhysicsN5CATDownload
TAP-SHCDownload
TAP-SHC-H2O-and-AlDownload
TAP-SHC-1Download
Signature
Updated August 2020

N5 Assignment from 2020

TEACHERS: Mosey along to Usefullinks and I’m going to put some teacher points there for you. I’ll add the link when I’ve added the materials.

A set of PRACTICAL EXPERIMENTAL SHEETS that are in line with the changes brought in for the 2020/21 session.  

This table has the worksheets in word form.

TopicSheetNotes
Dynamics / SpaceN5 Hookes Law AHookes Law A
Dynamics / SpaceN5 Hookes Law BHookes Law B
DynamicsN5 Acc slopeAcceleration and angle of the slope
DynamicsN5 F=m a AF=ma changing mass :A
DynamicsN5 F=m a BF=ma changing mass: B
DynamicsN5 projectiles A
Projectiles changing the launch angle: A
DynamicsN5 projectiles BProjectiles changing the launch speed: B
DynamicsN5 projectiles CProjectiles changing the launch height: C
DynamicsN5 Stopping distance AHow the speed affects the stopping distance
DynamicsN5 Stopping distance BHow the speed affects the stopping distance
DynamicsPendulum and length
Prop. of Matter
Prop. of MatterN5 Charles' Law AVolume and Temperature with constant pressure
Prop. of MatterN5 Boyles Law APressure and volume for constant temperature
Prop. of MatterN5 Boyles Law BPressure and volume for constant temperature: A
Prop. of MatterN5 Pressure Law APressure and Temperature for constant volume: B
Prop. of MatterN5 Pressure and depth AEffects of pressure of a liquid with depth
Prop. of MatterN5 SHC ASpecific Heat Capacity measure V and I
Prop. of MatterN5 SHC BSpecific Heat Capacity using joule meter
Prop. of MatterN5 Cooling Curve ACooling curve of water and stearic acid
Prop. of MatterN5 Latent heat of vaporisation ADetermining latent heat of vaporisation A
Prop. of MatterN5 Latent heat of vaporisation BDetermining latent heat of vaporisation B
Electricity / EnergyN5 Solar Cell A angle
Solar Cells A Angle
Electricity / EnergyN5 Solar Cell B distanceSolar Cells B Distance
Electricity / EnergyN5 Solar Cell C translucentSolar Cells C Translucent
Electricity / EnergyN5 Solar Cell D area
Solar Cells D Area
ElectricityN5 Ohms Law AMeasuring voltage and current for a ohmic conductor (resistor)
ElectricityN5 Ohms Law BMeasuring voltage and current for a non-ohmic conductor
ElectricityN5 Thermistors A 2023Thermistors
ElectricityN5 LED 2023LEDs
ElectricityN5 LDR AAn LDR -distance from the light source.
N5 Assign LDR BAn LDR - light intensity: B
ElectricityN5 Assign LDR C
Calibrating an LDR against a light level meter
SpaceOrbit period v height
Waves / SpaceMicrowave distance v signal strength
WavesN5 Speed of SoundSpeed of Sound
WavesN5 Refraction ARefraction
Radiation

“The experiments detailed in the course specification can be used. Centres are obviously free to choose other experiments if they wish, as long as they’re commensurate with the level. One of the advantages of using the experiments in the course is that you can be sure that the physics is accessible and at the correct level.

In the past, we saw some examples where centres had used rotational motion experiments with N5 candidates, and you could tell that the candidates had no clue what they were doing. It’s also been obvious at National 5 level that some centres are still using kits they had for Standard Grade investigations, which is fine, but you do need to make sure that the underlying physics is accessible. To give an example, solar cells was always a popular topic for Standard Grade and we see centres using them for National 5, but explaining how a solar cell produces a potential difference is something N5 candidates will probably struggle with.

Your colleagues may wish to have a look at the Physics pages on the Understanding Standards website:

SQA – Understanding Standards: Introduction (Nat 5)

SQA – Understanding Standards: Introduction (Higher)

where they will see several exemplars based on the experiments detailed in the course specification.

If you have things that have worked well in the past, then it’s worth remembering that nothing has changed in any of the coursework requirements, and therefore they should still work in the same way.”

SQA Good Guy

Here is a marking grid, obviously only if you are able to find time for a practice. It is not to be used to tentatively mark the student assignment being sent to the SQA.

Marking grid.docx

This is the info for N5 from August 2020

The material has recently been published on the Understanding Standards Website SQA Physics N5 INFO

N5 Candidate 1

N5 Commentary 1

Above gives an example of the new Assignment requirements. It is vital that you don’t copy or even attempt to copy this assignment. If you are likely to copy other people’s work it is best to choose another topic.

Initial Task- vital

SectionExpected responseMax mark
TitleThe report has an informative title.1
AimA description of the purpose of the investigation.1
Underlying physics relevant to the aimA description of the physics relevant to the aim which shows understanding.3
Data collection and handlingA brief description of the experiment.1
Sufficient raw data from the experiment.1
Raw data presented in a table with headings and units.1
Values correctly calculated from the raw data.1
Data from an internet/literature source.1
A reference for the internet/literature source.1
Graphical presentationThe correct type of graph used to present the experimental data.1
Suitable scales.1
Suitable labels and units on axes.1
All points plotted accurately, with line or curve of best fit if appropriate.1
AnalysisExperimental data compared to data from internet/literature source.1
ConclusionA conclusion related to the aim and supported by data in the report.1
EvaluationA discussion of a factor affecting the reliability, accuracy or precision of the results.2
StructureA report which can be easily followed.1
TOTAL MARKS20

Before Starting on your assignment take time to go over the following, it is vital that you know what you are doing.

PhysicsN5CAT

Understanding Standards Webinar

To kick you off with your assignment Mr Forwood has supplied the following document.

N5 Assignment instructions (editable in word)

N5 Assignment instructions (pdf file)

The document below is one that I started in the holidays but got distracted. I will get something together a.s.a.p but until then make do with this starter!

Practical titles

You must also correctly reference your work, learn how to do this with the following link.

Exeter.ac.uk/studyskills/harvard_referencing.htm

https://www.portland-place.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/GCSE-Combined-SciencePhysics-Set-Practicals-1.pdf

N5-What-I-can-take-inDownload
N5-What-I-can-take-inDownload

Outcome 1, experimental write up

Changes have been introduced this session and you can read details by following the link below, although it is very much “teacher speak”

http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/files_ccc/PhysicsN5GuidanceSession1617.pdf

We will be continuing to use the old system of marking for the unit assessments as there is a possibility that these tests might be abandoned in future years, there is no point re-writing them.

Part of the National 5 course requires you to produce an experimental write up. It is good scientific practice. A threshold was introduced in the session 2016-2017, you are now only required to pass 5 out of 6 assessment standards to pass the overall outcome 1.

Below is the mark sheet to ensure that you’ve covered all the requirements, in both pdf and word format.

There are also two documents to help with your write up.

N5 Outcome 1 word N5 Outcome 1 pdf

Outcome 1 – Guide Nat 5 Thanks to Banff Academy for this document

WRITING UP O1 word   WRITING UP O1 pdf

Here it is in simple form

Experimental Write Up

Your best work. Rulers, sharp pencils etc.

Correct use of terminology and units at all times.

(No voltage in/ through) (No current across)

NO WAFFLE!

Title   Short and relevant with date.

Aim     What are you trying to find out/prove?

To find out how “something” affects “something else”.

Method     Instructions on how to complete the experiment; make it reliable and make it a fair test:

Set up the following apparatus (draw a good labelled diagram).

The “something” was set at a “value” and increased by an “amount” using the “piece of equipment”.  The “something else” was noted    at each value using the “other piece of equipment”.  Other variables were kept constant by…….

Results     Display the findings.

A neat table with headings and units.

An appropriate graph of “something” on the x-axis and “something else” on the y-axis.

Conclusion    What did you find out?

As the “something” is increased / decreased, the “something else” increased / decreased / stayed the same.  Also include “directly/inversely proportional” if appropriate.

Evaluation    Are there any improvements that could be made to your experiment to reduce uncertainties?

 

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