Answering techniques

Welcome to the world of Physics answering techniques. There are 3 papers in SPM and each requires the correct technique of answering.

QUESTION ELEMENTS

Knowledge (5 aspects)
Understanding (4 aspects)
Application (2 aspects)
Problem solving (2 aspects)
Conceptualizing (2 aspects)
Decision making (1 aspect)

KNOWLEDGE :

An ability to recall or to identify specific matters in the contents of Physics for example facts, concepts, principles, theories and laws.

Examples :

1. Period of pendulum oscillation is affected by
A. mass of the pendulum
B. length of the pendulum string
C. type of pendulum

2. State the unit of current.

3. What is meant by specific heat capacity ?

4. What is meant by base quantity ?

5. State the precaution of the experiment.

6. State the relationship between current and voltage.

7. List the apparatus and materials.

Understanding :

Ability to translate, interpret, extrapolate and understand concept or principles in physics fields which involve the use of knowledge without new situation and do not require explanation about the implications towards the knowledge

Examples :

1. Hand scalded by steam is more painful compare to hand scalded by boiling
water because
A steam has a higher specific latent heat than water
B steam loses heat slower to surrounding compare to water
C steam has a higher temperature

2. Before a football tournament, the ball to be used in the game must have a
suitable pressure. Explain why a ball with less pressure is not suitable for the
football tournament.

Application :

Use method, concept, theory in new situation(Qualitative)and solve problem using knowledge and understanding(Quantitative)

Examples :

1. A wooden block floats on the surface of liquid R and sinks in liquid S.
The correct comparison of density is

A liquid R is denser than liquid S
B liquid S is denser than liquid R
C liquid S is denser than wooden block
D wooden block is denser than liquid R

2. The initial iodine-131 activity is 1000 counts per second. Calculate the time
taken for the iodine-131 activity to decrease to 250 if its half-life is 5 days.

3. A durian takes 3 seconds to drop from the tree to the ground. Ignoring air
resistance, what is the height of the branch from which the durian drops?

A. 15 m
B. 30 m
C. 45 m
D. 50 m
E. 60 m

Problem Solving :

The ability of using knowledge , scientific skills and thinking skills to solve physics problem qualitatively and or quantitatively. (Paper 2)
The ability to solve physics problem by scientific investigation. (Paper 3)

Examples :

1. An earth-monitoring satellite falls into the earth’s atmosphere at high velocity
and reaches a high temperature. This is caused by the earth’s gravitational force
and air resistance. Using the appropriate physics concepts, suggest and explain
suitable designs or ways to protect the satellite and its equipment :
(i) from extreme heat
(ii) from breaking up on landing

CONCEPTUALISATION :

The ability to reason by identifying and analysing common characteristics or variables and synthesis the common characteristic or relation with variables to create a physics concept.

Examples :

1. Diagram 1 shows :Daniel is drinking with a straw
Diagram 2 shows : An empty syringe is dipped in water and the syringe piston is
pulled up.
From the diagrams state the identical characteristics ,explain the phenomenon
and name the science concept involved

DECISION MAKING :

The ability to choose best solving alternative for a problem referring to certain criteria to achieve the objective.
The aspects of identifying, analysing and evaluating all problem solving alternatives to choose suitable alternative with the objective for making decision and state decision justification that have been taken.

Examples :

1. The figure below shows a seat belt, sometimes called a safety belt, designed to
secure the occupant of a vehicle against harmful movement that may result from a
collision or a sudden stop.

The table below shows the characteristics of materials and criteria which could
be used to buy the seat belt.

Characteristic/Material Density /kgm Kos Strength Approval

P 0.7 RM 300 High SIRIM
Q 0.6 RM 200 Medium SIRIM
R 0.7 RM 100 High SIRIM
S 0.6 RM 70 Low MARDI
T 3.0 RM 70 High SIRIM


(a) What does the term inertia mean ? [1 mark]
(b) Explain how a seat belt can prevent passengers from being thrown out of
the car and suffered injury. [4 marks]
(c) You are asked to investigate the characteristics of the materials and
criteria in the table above which could be used to buy the seat belt as in
the figure above.

(d) Explain the suitability of each characteristic in the table above and
hence, determine which seat belt is the most suitable to
buy.Justify your choice. [10 marks]

(e) (i) A lorry with a mass of 4000 kg is moving with a velocity of 40
ms .It then collides with another car and is stopped in 0.04 seconds.
Calculate the impulsive force acted on the lorry. [2 marks]

(ii)Explain why the driver is thrown forward when his car is stopped by the
lorry during the collision. [3 marks]