Examsolutions4GCE provides  General Certificate Examination,WAEC and NECO GCE candidates with well elucidated textbooks and solutions to help them in tackling the challenge posed by Alternative to practicals during November/December General Certificate Examination.

       Hence, for both students and teachers, Examsolutions4GCE offers the opportunity to become thoroughly familiarize with the format and style of alternative to practicals and to gain plenty of examination practice.Some of these practice includes;

• knowing that alternative to practicals is different from normal practicals
• how to read measuring instruments;metre rule and protractor 
• how to interpret,measure and record alternative to practical questions 
• how to choose scale and draw outstanding graphs  and
• how to state practical precautions in alternative to practicals 

Finally, Examsolutions4GCE is always ready to get you prepared for your WAEC and NECO GCE examination. For more inquires and a copy of our book titled "ALTERNATIVE TO PRACTICAL PHYSICS GUIDE" contact us on our email; examsolutions4gce@gmail.com or call
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                    INTRODUCTION 
Physics practical could be regarded as the practical involvement of candidates in the process of investigation, collection and analysis of data and a test of candidate’s ability to carry-out instructions.

Hence, the purpose of this book is to provide students and teachers of General Certificate Examination (GCE), with past examination papers, well detailed solution guide and exercise (workbook) section for a better understanding of what is needed to be done when faced with the challenge of Alternative to Physics Practical either in the classroom or in an examination.

The book is well illustrated and illustrative, for the students the book offers the opportunity to become thoroughly familiarized with the format and style of Alternative to Practical Physics, and to gain plenty of examination practice. The inclusion of exercise (workbook) section makes the book ideal for self-study use.

For the teacher, the book is also a valuable resource, for preparing candidates for General Certificate Examination.

However, unlike Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) Physics Practical in which Apparatus and practical equipment are made available for candidates to use in carrying out the practical in the Laboratory, GCE candidates are given figures and diagrams to read using ruler for lengths and protractor for angles, interpret and evaluate by following the given instructions in order to generate the table of values, graph, slope and deduction needed.

General Note:

Candidates are required to answer two questions out of the three questions supplied. Each question is marked on a total of 25marks (totaling 50marks for practical) under the following different sub-headings: Observation; Table; Graph; Slope; Deduction; Accuracy; Precaution and short-answer questions

                    1. OBSERVATION

These are data collected in the process of carrying out the investigation. There are two types of observation, namely: the fundamental and the derived observation.

Fundamental data (observation), are collected direct from the investigation, e.g. reading a metre rule directly, say x=3cm.

Derived data (observation), as the name implies are derived from the fundamental data, e.g. 1/x, x² i.e. 1/3, 3² 
                    2. TABLE

It is important to know how to record measurements in a table. A table should record all the measurements needed to obtain the value of a given physical quantity, as given in the instruction. For example if a length L is derived from L=L₁-L₂ then L₁ and L₂ should appear in the table.

Columns (or rows) in the table should be headed with the name of symbol of the physical quantity. The unit in which the quantity is measured should be included. The S.I method is recommended. Encourage neat work.

                   3. GRAPH

A graph is the best way to display the result of an experiment.

I. For scales to be reasonable, graph must occupy at least 1/3(one-third) of graph page.

II. Scales using multiples or sub-multiples of prime numbers such as 3, 7, 9, 13 etc. are not acceptable.

III. To obtain the suitable line of best fit mark, at least three points must be correctly plotted.

                   4. SLOPE

The slope, s, is a measure of the change in Y (∆Y) to that of X (∆X), i.e. ∆Y/∆X

I. Choose two points, far apart and draw a right-angle triangle that occupied at least 1/3(one-third) 

of graph.

II. The larger the triangle, the more the accuracy of the slope.

                    5. PRECAUTION

For an accurate experimental result, certain basic precautions must be taken. Use the phrase “I would…” when drafting precautions in Alternative to Practical Physics, e.g. I would avoid parallax error when reading the Ammeter.

                    INSTRUCTIONS

For an excellent performance in physics practical, observe the following instructions given below.

1. Get the materials to be used for practical ready and intact, such as; mathematical set, calculator, mathematical table and long transparent ruler prior to the examination.

2.  Know how to measure lengths and angles using a ruler and a protractor respectively.

3.  Pay attention and be focused during practical.

4.  Make sure the table and the seat to be used for practical are stable.

5.  Do away with mobile phones and headset during practical.

6.  Read and understand very well, the instruction/procedure passage in the question given and adhere to it.

7.  Avoid error due to parallax when reading measuring instruments.

8.  Maintain a neat report, tabulation and graph work

9.  Use ruler to deduce readings given in the form of length or distance represented with figures and protractor for angles when it involves triangular and rectangular prism.

10.  Know how to read an ammeter, voltmeter and a stop watch.

11.  Take note on how to write safety precautions in alternative to practical Physics.

12.  After the practical work is done, cross-check your work.

                  PREFACE

This book was written and designed to help WAEC and NECO GCE candidates in solving the 

challenge posed by alternative to Physics practical during November/December General Certificate 

Examination. Another Outstanding feature of this book is its ability to educate GCE candidates on

 how to measure, read, evaluate, interpret and tabulate questions that might arise from alternative 

to physics practical during the examination, in other to generate the needed practical report 

and graph.

Each sample questions were solved and elucidated in a manner that will enable even the novice into

grasping the idea and method in solving alternative to Physics practical questions.

   SAMPLE QUESTION AND SOLUTION ONE

 

       

A metre rule is suspended horizontally with two threads attached to rigid horizontal support as

shown in the diagram above. The threads are adjusted such that they are equidistant from the
center of the rule.The distance, x, between the threads is measured and recorded.

The rule is then set into a horizontal oscillation. The time, t, for 20 complete oscillations is

measured and recorded.The procedure is repeated for four other values of x.

Fig. 1(a)(i – v) shows the distance x_i between the threads and fig. 1(b)(i-v) shows the corresponding
times, t_i for 20 complete oscillations where i = 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

(i)  Measure and record the real values of x_i the distances between the threads.

(ii)  Read and record the corresponding times t_i for 20 complete oscillations.

(iii) Determine the period T of the oscillations.

(iv) Evaluate log x and log T in each case.

(v)  Tabulate your readings.

(vi)  Plot a graph of log T on the vertical axis against log x on the horizontal axis. 
(vii)  Determine the slope, s, of the graph.

(viii) State two precautions that are necessary when performing this experiment in the laboratory.                                    

(b) (i) Explain what is meant when a body is said to be undergoing simple harmonic motion.                                       

      (ii) Explain why a spherical bob is preferred to bobs of other shapes for use in a simple

  pendulum.

 

SAMPLE SOLUTION

PROCEDURE:

1)  Read the instruction passage thoroughly and carefully examine the diagrams given above, for easy interpretation and evaluation

2)  Measure and record the corresponding values(s) of x₁, x₂, x₃, x₄ and x₅ respectively using metre rule (ruler) in fig. 1(a) above.

3)  Also read and record the corresponding times t₁, t₂, t₃, t₄ and t₅ in fig. 1(b) above, by considering its scale of graduation.

4)  Determine the period, T, of the oscillation having in mind the number of oscillation (n).

TABLE OF VALUES

Raw values		Converted values
i	x(cm)	x(cm)	t (sec)	T=t (sec)     20	Log x	Log T
1	2.00	16.00	46.00	2.30	1.2041	0.3617
2	2.20	17.60	39.00	1.95	1.2455	0.2900
3	2.70	21.60	33.00	1.65	1.3345	0.2175
4	3.20	25.60	29.00	1.45	1.4082	0.1614
5	5.60	28.80	25.00	1.25	1.4594	0.0969

CALCULATION

For converted values of x(cm), consider the scale under fig. 1(a).

Scale: 1cm represents 8cm, then;

x₁ = 2.00 x 8 = 16.00cm

x₂   = 2.20 x 8 = 17.60cm

x₃ = 2.70 x 8 = 21.60cm  

x₄ = 3.70 x 8 = 25.60cm

x₅ = 3.60 x 8  = 28.80cm

Therefore, for the time t(sec), consider the graduation of the scale in the diagrammatic

 representation of the stop watch in fig. 1(b)

It can be read from the diagrams that the scale is increasing by 15sec.

Then;

t ₁ = 46.00sec

t₂  =  39.00sec

t₃  = 33.00sec

t₄  =  29.00sec

t₅  =  25.00sec

Period (T) = t/n

Where; t = time (sec)

           n = number of oscillation = 20

:. T = t/20

T₁ =  46.00  = 2.30sec

           20

T₂ =  39.00  = 1.95sec       

           20

T₃ = 33.00  = 1.65sec

           20

T₄ = 29.00  = 1.45sec

           20

T₅ =  25.00 = 1.25sec

           20

Evaluating log x, we have

1) Log (16.00) = 1.2041

2) Log (17.60) = 1.2455

3) Log (21.60) = 1.3345

4) Log (25.60) = 1.4082

5) Log (28.80) = 1.4594   

Evaluating Log T_i we have

1) Log (2.30) = 0.3617

2) Log (1.95) = 0.2900

3) Log (1.65) = 0.2175

4) Log (1.45) = 0.1614

5) Log (1.25) = 0.0969

PRECAUTIONS

1)  I would allow small angles of oscillation. 

2)  I would avoid error due to parallax when reading the stop

   watch.

bi) Explain what is meant when a body is said to be undergoing

    simple harmonic motion.

Answer

A body undergoes SHM when the acceleration of the body is proportional to the displacement

from a fixed point and it is directed towards the point, example; oscillation of a simple

pendulum.

Answer

The spherical bob is preferred over other bobs of different shapes because it

experience least damping effect and unlike bobs of other shapes. It offers

minimal surface area to air resistance while oscillating. 

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