Physics Exam Technique and Calculations
Flashcards covering the four-line calculation method, key physics equations and the worked practice paper answers.
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Questions Covered in This Set
10 cards to master
What are the four lines you should write for every calculation?
1) Equation in symbols, 2) Substitution with units, 3) Processing/rearranging, 4) Final answer with correct unit and sensible significant figures.
How are the 4 marks in a typical calculation question usually split?
1 mark for the correct equation, 1 for correct substitution, 1 for rearranging/processing, 1 for the final answer with the right unit.
What is 'error carried forward'?
If an earlier part is wrong but a later part is worked correctly using that wrong value, you still gain the later marks — so never leave the second part blank.
Name the two habits that lose the most marks in physics calculations.
Mixing unit prefixes (kW/W, cm/m, minutes/seconds, mA/A) and rounding too early — convert to SI units first and keep full precision until the end.
A 1200 kg car goes from rest to 24 m/s in 8.0 s. Find the acceleration and resultant force.
a = (v − u)/t = 24/8.0 = 3.0 m/s²; F = m a = 1200 × 3.0 = 3600 N.
A crane lifts a 500 N crate 12 m in 20 s using a 450 W motor. Work done, useful power and efficiency?
W = F d = 500 × 12 = 6000 J; P = W/t = 6000/20 = 300 W; efficiency = 300/450 = 0.67 = 67%.
A wave has f = 40 Hz and λ = 0.25 m. Speed? New wavelength if f doubles at the same speed?
v = f λ = 40 × 0.25 = 10 m/s; λ = v/f = 10/80 = 0.125 m — doubling frequency halves wavelength.
12 V battery with 4.0 Ω and 8.0 Ω in series: total R, current, p.d. across 8.0 Ω, power in 8.0 Ω?
R = 12 Ω; I = V/R = 1.0 A; V = IR = 8.0 V; P = VI = 8.0 W. Check: 4 V + 8 V = 12 V.
A 0.50 kg ball falls 20 m (g = 10 N/kg). GPE lost and impact speed?
E = mgh = 0.50 × 10 × 20 = 100 J; ½mv² = 100 → v² = 400 → v = 20 m/s (mass cancels).
What three 'buckets' should you sort every lost mark into when reviewing a paper?
1) Didn't know the equation, 2) Knew it but made an arithmetic/unit slip, 3) Didn't understand the question — each needs a different fix.
