ADVANCED SUBSIDIARY (AS)

General Certificate of Education

2023

Physics
Assessment Unit AS 3B
(Theory)
assessing
Practical Techniques
and Data Analysis
[SPH32]
FRIDAY 2 JUNE, MORNING

MARK
SCHEME

13549.01 F
 Physics Subject Specific Instructions

It is essential that, before using the mark scheme, markers familiarise themselves with the following
guidance.

General

To ensure that all candidates receive the same treatment, the mark scheme must be applied consistently.

The mark scheme for each question shows typical intermediate steps, the answer expected and the
marks available for each part of the question.

In cases where a candidate has responded with a seemingly correct response which has not been
anticipated in the mark scheme, the marker must make a professional judgement of the correct
physics/validity of the response when awarding marks.

Brackets (...) are used to indicate information which is not essential for the mark to be awarded.
Alternative answers are indicated by ‘or’, or the symbol for or, ‘/’.

Multiple/Cancelled Responses

If a candidate provides multiple responses, the general principle to be followed is that ‘right + wrong =
wrong’.

Responses considered to be neutral are not penalised. For example, if additional irrelevant information
is given in an explanation that does not contradict the correct information given, the mark(s) can be
awarded.

In a numerical problem if two different solutions are presented without a definitive answer on the answer
line, credit should not be given. If an answer is given on the answer line, then the solution that has led to
the answer given should be marked according to the mark scheme.

If a candidate clearly cancels their working by scoring it out, then this should not be marked. It is not the
role of the marker to select from the candidate’s response what should or should not be marked.

13549.01 F 2
Marking Numerical Problems

In numerical problems, the marks for the intermediate steps shown in the mark scheme are for the
benefit of candidates who do not obtain the final correct answer.

A correct answer, if obtained from a valid starting point, gets full credit, even if all the intermediate
steps are not shown.

This “correct answer” rule does not apply in situations where candidates have been asked to ‘show
your working’ or ‘show that’. These answers must be valid in all stages to obtain full credit.

The answer to a ‘show that’ question should be quoted to one more significant figure than that given
in the question.

Do not reward wrong physics. No credit is given for consistent substitution of numerical data, or
subsequent arithmetic, in a physically incorrect equation.

The normal penalty for an arithmetical error is to lose the mark(s) for the answer/unit line. An
arithmetic error should be penalised for one mark only. Arithmetic errors may arise from a slip in a
calculation or from an incorrect transfer of a numerical value of a quantity given in a question.

10n errors count as arithmetical slips and incur a penalty of one mark.

If a candidate rounds a value incorrectly this should be penalised one mark.

Answers should be given in decimal form. Fractional answers will not be credited with the answer
mark.

Error Carried Forward

An ECF can occur between parts of a question or, in more unstructured numerical problems, within a
part.

When an incorrect answer is carried forward from one question to the next, full credit should be
awarded in the part where the incorrect answer is used, provided all the working is correct.

Within a part, ECF is applied where a candidate does an incorrect calculation, for example calculates
a value for R incorrectly using V/I and then goes on to use their calculated value of R to calculate a
resistivity value. The penalty is applied in the V/I calculation but then the value for R can be carried
forward so that the remainder of the marks are available to the candidate provided all the remainder
of their working is correct.

The ECF within a part will only apply in numerical problems where more than one calculation is
required in a part.

Significant Figures

Candidates should show an awareness of using a sensible number of significant figures in their
answers, based on the values given in the question. In SPH11, SPH21, APH11 and APH21, unless
specifically asked for in the question, candidates will not be penalised for incorrect significant figures.

In SPH31, SPH32, APH31 and APH32, all answers should be given to a suitable number of significant
figures and penalties will be applied in these papers unless otherwise stated in the mark schemes.

13549.01 F 3
Units

In the majority of questions, the unit will be stated on the answer line.

When the unit is omitted, candidates will be clearly asked to state an appropriate unit and this will be
credited in the mark scheme.

Where there is a final calculation required to get from the unit of the answer calculated to the unit on the
answer line the required unit will be stated in the question. For example, if wavelength was calculated
and the answer line was in nm a statement ‘Give your answer in nanometres’ would be included.

The unit on the answer line will generally be the SI unit but may in some cases be a more appropriate
unit. For example, if values of mass in g and momentum in g cm s–1 were given, the unit on the answer
line for speed could reasonably be cm s–1 without prompt.

Graphs

In marking graphs you will have to exercise some professional judgement, but other features must be
marked strictly according to the scheme.

The mark(s) for “Scales” is normally awarded only if the plotted points occupy at least half of the printed
graph along each axis. In addition, the scale must be to an easily manageable factor, such as 1:2, 1:4,
1:5, 1:10, 1:20. A factor of, for example 10 mm to represent 30 cm does not score because
of the difficulty of accurately plotting or reading off values.

Points plotted correctly means to within ± one small square(± 2 mm) on the printed grid in either x-or y-
direction. The marker’s professional judgement comes in here.
One mark is to be awarded for drawing the best fit line through the points. Do not agonise over scoring
(or not) this mark, your professional judgement will allow you to come to a decision very quickly.

In measuring the gradient, the mark for a “large triangle” means that either rise or run (or both) must be
at least 5 cm on the printed graph/grid. Some candidates do not draw their triangle, but use points read
off from the line. Provided the rise and/or run in this virtual triangle meet the 5 cm criterion, the mark is
scored. Beware of candidates who read off their gradient points directly from a table. The marker must
check that the points used are on the line and meet the 5 cm test.

13549.01 F 4
1 Regular x-scale [1] AVAILABLE
Regular y-scale [1] MARKS
Axes labelled with quantity [1]
Axes units correct with solidus [1]
Points correct ([–1] each mistake to [0]) [3]
Best fit lines [1] [8] 8
Penalty [–1] if axes reversed
Penalty [–1] if T axis in wrong direction

2 (a) 0.06 s [1]

2.06 [1]
2.060 [1] [3]

(b) 0.2 0.06 = 0.14 s [1]

(c) 0.2 ≤ 3% [1]

6.7 s [1]
3.35 [1]
4 Oscillations [1] [4] 8
(Alternative methods acceptable)

3 (a) (i) Youngs (double) slits/diffraction grating [1]

(ii) Use more LEDs, (at least 5 readings to draw a graph) [1]

(b) (i) Large triangle [1]

Values correct [1]
Gradient consistent for their values [1]
106 [1] [4]

(ii) Gradient = hc/e or subs [1]

6.61 × 1034 (consistent with b(i)) [1] [2] 8

4 (a) Yes – average is correct to same sf as values [1]

(b) (i) Value of H at peak of graph/when θ is max [1]

(ii) To see where the peak is between those values [1]

(iii) (8.4 – 8.6 cm) [1]

(33o – 35o) [1] [2]

(iv) ±0.1 cm [1]

±1° [1] [2]

(c) (i) Points correct [1]

Best fit curve [1] [2]

(ii) Value read correctly from graph [1] 10

13549.01 FF
13549.01 5
5 (a) Base unit of T = K [1] AVAILABLE
Base unit of A [1] MARKS
Base unit of P kg m2 s3 [1]
kg s3 K4 [1] [4]

(b) 4  1.2% = 4.8% [1]

2  0.7 = 1.4% [1]
6.2% [1] [3] 7

6 (a) (i) Moving at constant velocity (so forces are balanced) [1]

(ii) Measure distance and time [1]

v = d/t [1]
Use light gates [1]
Detail of measurements for their set up [1]
Repeat and average [1] [3]

(iii) u is value of the train’s velocity, v = 0 [1]

v2 = u2 + 2as to get a F = ma to get F [1][1] [3]
or
1 1
change in ke = 2 mv2 − 2 mu2
∆ke = work done
Tke
F= d

Alternative equations of motion with d ok,

1st mark consistent with equation chosen and values needed

(b) Efficiency equation [1]

Fu/IV [1] [2] 9

Total 50

13549.01 FF
13549.01 6