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
Motion: Use of appropriate apparatus to make and record a range of measurements accurately, including length, area, mass, time, volume and temperature.
In motion practicals you choose apparatus matched to each quantity and record readings accurately.
Checked against the OCR J249 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 13 of 14
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
In motion practicals you choose apparatus matched to each quantity and record readings accurately. Measure length with a ruler or tape measure, reading at eye level to avoid parallax. Find area by measuring suitable lengths and calculating, for example length × width for a rectangle, keeping units consistent. Measure mass with a balance, time with a stopwatch or light gate, volume with a measuring cylinder read at the meniscus, and temperature with a thermometer allowed to reach steady reading. Accuracy means choosing apparatus with suitable resolution, repeating readings where sensible, and recording values with correct units and an appropriate number of significant figures. You should also consider how to reduce error, such as timing several oscillations and dividing, or using a fiducial marker.
What earns the marks
- Selects apparatus matched to each quantity, such as a balance for mass and a measuring cylinder for volume.
- Reads scales correctly, for example viewing the meniscus at eye level to avoid parallax error.
- Records each measurement with its unit and a sensible number of significant figures.
- Reduces error by repeating readings or by timing multiple oscillations and dividing to find one period.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Reads a measuring cylinder from above or below the meniscus.
Put it right: View it at eye level to avoid parallax.
Records a measurement without a unit.
Put it right: State the unit alongside the value.
Times a single short oscillation by hand.
Put it right: Time several oscillations and divide to reduce reaction-time error.
Exam tips
- Name the apparatus for each quantity and state its resolution, for example a ruler to the nearest millimetre.
- Show how you calculate a derived quantity such as area from measured lengths, keeping units consistent.
- Explain one improvement that increases accuracy, such as repeating and averaging or using a light gate for timing.
Try the lesson
The start of the Motion: 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 motion experiment. Which apparatus is used to measure mass?
Listen
In motion practicals you choose apparatus matched to each quantity and record readings accurately. Measure length with a ruler or tape measure, reading at eye level to avoid parallax. Find area by measuring suitable lengths and calculating, for example length × width for a rectangle, keeping units consistent. Measure mass with a balance, time with a stopwatch or light gate, volume with a measuring cylinder read at the meniscus, and temperature with a thermometer allowed to reach steady reading. Accuracy means choosing apparatus with suitable resolution, repeating readings where sensible, and recording values with correct units and an appropriate number of significant figures. You should also consider how to reduce error, such as timing several oscillations and dividing, or using a fiducial marker. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Selects apparatus matched to each quantity, such as a balance for mass and a measuring cylinder for volume. Reads scales correctly, for example viewing the meniscus at eye level to avoid parallax error. Records each measurement with its unit and a sensible number of significant figures. Reduces error by repeating readings or by timing multiple oscillations and dividing to find one period. Exam tip: Name the apparatus for each quantity and state its resolution, for example a ruler to the nearest millimetre.
See it
Watch it explained
What is the one idea the video explains? Say it in a sentence.
Read the described scene instead
In motion practicals, you choose apparatus matched to each quantity and record readings accurately. This lesson covers length, area, mass, time, volume and temperature. It also shows how to read scales, record units, and reduce measurement error. Match the apparatus to the quantity. Use a balance to measure mass, and a stopwatch or light gate to measure time. For volume, use a measuring cylinder read at the meniscus. For temperature, use a thermometer and allow it to reach a steady reading. For length, read a ruler or tape measure at eye level to avoid parallax. To find area, measure suitable lengths and calculate; for a rectangle, multiply length by width. Keep units consistent. Record every measurement with its unit and a sensible number of significant figures. Accuracy means choosing apparatus with suitable resolution, repeating readings where sensible, and keeping units consistent throughout a calculation. To reduce timing error, time several oscillations and divide to find one period. A fiducial marker can help you judge the same point each time. For other measurements, repeat readings where sensible. Suppose you time several oscillations. Pause and decide how to find one period. You divide the total time by the number of oscillations. The result is the period, which reduces reaction-time error. Avoid reading a measuring cylinder from above or below the meniscus; view it at eye level. Never record a measurement without a unit. Do not time a single short oscillation by hand; time several oscillations and divide.
Key words
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Appropriate apparatus selection
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Accurate reading of scales
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Recording with units and significant figures
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Reducing measurement error
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See every definition
- Appropriate apparatus selection
- Choosing apparatus matched to each quantity, such as a balance for mass and a measuring cylinder for volume.
- Accurate reading of scales
- Reading scales correctly, for example viewing the meniscus at eye level to avoid parallax error.
- Recording with units and significant figures
- Recording each measurement with its unit and a sensible number of significant figures.
- Reducing measurement error
- Reducing error by repeating readings or by timing multiple oscillations and dividing to find one period.
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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