OCR · GCSE · Physics
Course version: J249 · Version from Sept 2018
Use of appropriate apparatus to make and record a range of measurements…
Full specification wording
Measuring waves: Use of appropriate apparatus to make and record a range of measurements accurately, including length, area, mass, time, volume and temperature.
In wave practical work you must pick apparatus that measures each quantity to a sensible precision and record the results clearly.
Checked against the OCR J249 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 2
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
In wave practical work you must pick apparatus that measures each quantity to a sensible precision and record the results clearly. Measure length with a metre rule or vernier callipers, and find area by multiplying two measured lengths and giving the unit in m². Measure mass with a balance in kilograms or grams, time with a stopwatch or data logger in seconds, volume with a measuring cylinder in cm³ or ml, and temperature with a thermometer in °C. Record each reading with its unit and an appropriate number of significant figures, repeat where useful and calculate a mean. Accurate recording lets you then calculate wave speed from frequency and wavelength or from distance and time.
What earns the marks
- Selects apparatus matched to each quantity, such as a balance for mass, a measuring cylinder for volume and a thermometer for temperature.
- Measures length with a rule or callipers and calculates area by multiplying two perpendicular lengths, recording the result in m².
- Records each measurement with its correct unit and a sensible number of significant figures.
- Repeats readings where appropriate and calculates a mean to improve reliability.
- Uses the recorded measurements to support a wave calculation such as speed from distance and time.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Records a number without a unit.
Put it right: State the unit, for example 25.0 cm³ or 20 °C.
Calculates area by adding lengths.
Put it right: Multiply the two perpendicular lengths instead.
Reads a measuring cylinder at the top of the meniscus.
Put it right: Read at eye level at the bottom of the meniscus for water.
Gives more significant figures than the apparatus can support.
Put it right: Match the precision to the smallest scale division.
Exam tips
- Name the apparatus and the quantity it measures in the same sentence to show the link.
- Write every reading with its unit before doing any calculation.
- State how repeats or a mean improve the reliability of the recorded data.
Try the lesson
The start of the Measuring waves: Use of appropriate apparatus to make and record a range of measurements accurately, including length, area, mass, time, volume and temperature. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A student needs to find the mass of a small metal block before using it in a wave experiment. Which apparatus is most suitable?
Listen
In wave practical work you must pick apparatus that measures each quantity to a sensible precision and record the results clearly. Measure length with a metre rule or vernier callipers, and find area by multiplying two measured lengths and giving the unit in m². Measure mass with a balance in kilograms or grams, time with a stopwatch or data logger in seconds, volume with a measuring cylinder in cm³ or ml, and temperature with a thermometer in °C. Record each reading with its unit and an appropriate number of significant figures, repeat where useful and calculate a mean. Accurate recording lets you then calculate wave speed from frequency and wavelength or from distance and time. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Selects apparatus matched to each quantity, such as a balance for mass, a measuring cylinder for volume and a thermometer for temperature. Measures length with a rule or callipers and calculates area by multiplying two perpendicular lengths, recording the result in m². Records each measurement with its correct unit and a sensible number of significant figures. Repeats readings where appropriate and calculates a mean to improve reliability. Exam tip: Name the apparatus and the quantity it measures in the same sentence to show the link.
See it
Key words
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Matching apparatus to the quantity measured
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Measuring length and calculating area
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Recording mass, time, volume and temperature with units
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Improving reliability through repeats and means
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See every definition
- Matching apparatus to the quantity measured
- Picking apparatus that measures each quantity to a sensible precision, such as a balance for mass, a measuring cylinder for volume and a thermometer for temperature.
- Measuring length and calculating area
- Measuring length with a metre rule or vernier callipers, then finding area by multiplying two perpendicular lengths and giving the unit in m².
- Recording mass, time, volume and temperature with units
- Recording each reading with its correct unit and an appropriate number of significant figures, matching the precision to the smallest scale division.
- Improving reliability through repeats and means
- Repeating readings where appropriate and calculating a mean to improve the reliability of the recorded data.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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