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Further information on Higher Physics
Course Assessment (January 2014)
Key points
Physics (Higher) is a new Course, but includes some familiar content found in the current Higher
Physics Course and is very similar to the Revised Higher Physics Course.
As the Course assessment support material was developed, the further mandatory information in
the Course Assessment Specification was reviewed and updated. An updated Couse Assessment
Specification will be republished in due course.
At Higher, the Course assessment will have two components: a question paper and an assignment.
The question paper assesses the added value of the course with a particular focus on breadth —
drawing on knowledge and skills from across the Course — and application in theoretical contexts.
Candidates will apply breadth of knowledge from across the Course, and depth of understanding,
to answer appropriately challenging questions in physics contexts.
The assignment assesses the added value of the course, with a particular focus on challenge
(requiring greater depth or extension of knowledge and/or skills) and application. Candidates will
apply skills of scientific inquiry, using related knowledge, to carry out an in-depth study of a physics
topic. The topic will be chosen by the candidate, who will investigate/research the underlying
physics.
Course assessment will be out of 120 marks in total. The question paper will have 130 marks in
total. Section 1 has 20 marks, and Section 2 has 110 marks (which will be scaled back to 80
marks). The assignment will have 20 marks.
Higher Specimen Question Paper (publication by 28 February 2014)
The purpose of the question paper is to assess breadth of knowledge from across the Course,
depth of understanding, and application of this knowledge and understanding. Candidates will do
this by answering appropriately challenging questions.
The question paper allows candidates to demonstrate knowledge and understanding by making
statements and providing descriptions and explanations, and integrating knowledge. It will also give
candidates an opportunity to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and understanding:
 Demonstrating knowledge and understanding of physics by making statements and providing
descriptions and explanations, and integrating knowledge.
 Applying knowledge of physics to new situations, interpreting information and solving problems.
 Planning and designing experiments/practical investigations to test given hypotheses or to
illustrate particular effects, including safety measures.
 Selecting information and presenting information appropriately in a variety of forms.
 Processing information (using calculations, significant figures and units, where appropriate).
 Making predictions from evidence/information.
 Drawing valid conclusions and giving explanations supported by evidence/justification.
 Evaluating experimental procedures, identifying sources of uncertainty and suggesting
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improvements.
Marks will be distributed approximately proportionately across the Units.
The majority of the marks will be awarded for applying knowledge and understanding. The other
marks will be awarded for applying scientific inquiry, scientific analytical thinking and problem
solving skills.
The question paper will have two sections.
 Section 1 will have 20 marks, and will consist of objective questions. This section will give
candidates an opportunity to demonstrate breadth of knowledge from across the areas
specified in the ‘Further mandatory information on Course coverage’ section at the end of the
Course Assessment Specification.
 Section 2 will have 110 marks (which will be scaled back to 80 marks). It will consist of
restricted and extended response questions. This section will give candidates an opportunity to
demonstrate application of knowledge and understanding to answer appropriately challenging
context-based questions. They will do this by drawing on and applying knowledge from the
‘Further mandatory information on Course coverage’ section at the end of the Course
Assessment Specification.
A standard resource containing relevant data and formulae will be provided for use by candidates
while sitting the question paper.
(For sample questions from the current draft of the Specimen Question paper, please see
Appendix 1)
Higher Specimen Coursework
(publication by 31 March 2014)
The assignment will require the candidate to carry out an in-depth study of a physics topic. The
topic will be chosen by the candidate (to be reviewed by the assessor) who will investigate/
research the underlying physics.
It will give candidates an opportunity to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and
understanding:





applying physics knowledge to new situations and analysing information and solving problems
selecting information and presenting information appropriately in a variety of forms
processing information (using calculations, significant figures and units, where appropriate)
drawing valid conclusions and giving explanations supported by evidence/justification
communicating findings/information effectively
The evidence for this assessment takes the form of a report. The report will be submitted to SQA
for external marking.
This assignment has two stages:
 a research stage
 a communication stage, during which the report is written
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The research stage will be conducted under some supervision and control.
The communication stage will be conducted under a high degree of supervision.
The assignment will have 20 marks, which will be distributed against the following criteria:
Skills, knowledge and understanding
Mark allocation
Aim(s)
1
Applying knowledge and understanding of physics
4
Selecting information
2
Processing and presenting data/information
4
Analysing data/information
2
Conclusion(s)
2
Evaluation
3
Presentation
2
(For further information from the current draft of the assignment, please see Appendix 2)
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Appendix 1
Examples of types of questions for Higher Question Paper
Section 1
Section 1 will have 20 marks, and will consist of objective questions.
The types of questions in this section will be similar to those seen in previous Higher Physics
Question Papers.
Section 2
Section 2 will have 110 marks which will be scaled back to 80 marks It will consist of restricted and
extended response questions.
Possible types of Section 2 question are shown in examples 1, 2 and 3.
Example 1
A linear accelerator is used to accelerate protons.
The accelerator consists of hollow metal tubes placed in a vacuum.
R
S
proton
beam
35 kV alternating supply
metal tube
The diagram shows the path of protons through the accelerator.
Protons are accelerated across the gaps between the tubes by a potential difference of
35 kV.
(a)The protons are travelling at 1·2 x 106 ms-1 at point R.
(i)
Show that the work done on a proton as it accelerates from R to S is 5·6 x 10-15 J.
Space for working and answer
(ii)
2
Calculate the speed of the proton as it reaches S.
Space for working and answer
5
(b) Suggest one reason why the lengths of the tubes increase along the accelerator.
Space for working and answer
1
Total marks
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Example 2
A student explains the expansion of the Universe using an “expanding balloon” model.
The student draws “galaxies” on a balloon and then inflates it.
Use your knowledge of physics to comment on this model.
Space for working and answer
3
Total marks
3
Example 3
A student is investigating the refractive index of a perspex block for red light.
The student directs a ray of red light towards a semicircular perspex block as shown.
The angle of incidence (i) is then varied and the angle of refraction (r) measured using a
protractor.
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The following results are obtained
I ( °)
r (°)
sin i
sin r
10
16
0·17
0·28
15
25
0·26
0·42
20
32
0·34
0·53
25
37
0·42
0·60
30
53
0·50
0·80
(a) (i) Using square ruled paper, draw a graph to show how
varies with
.
3
(ii) Use the graph to determine the refractive index of the perspex for this light.
Space for working and answer
2
(iii) Suggest two ways in which the experimental procedure could be improved to
obtain a more accurate value for the refractive index.
Space for working and answer
2
(b) The perspex block is replaced by an identical glass block with a refractive index of
1∙54 and the experiment is repeated.
Determine the maximum angle of incidence that would produce a refracted ray.
Space for working and answer
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Total marks
Answer Guidance
Example
Expected response
1
Ew=QV
(1)
EW  1 6 1019  35000
(1)
a
 5  6 1015 J
b
Original
Max
mark
(1)
Additional
guidance
2
5
Ek = ½ (1∙673  10-27)( 1∙2  106 )2
Ek = 1∙20  10-15J
(1)
New Ek = 1∙20  10-15 + 5∙6  10-15J
New Ek = 6∙8  10-15J
(1)
Ek = ½ mv2
6∙8  10-15 = ½ (1∙673  10-27)( v )2 (1)
v = 2∙85  106 ms-1
c
Alternating voltage has constant
frequency
(1)
1
(1)
OR
As speed of protons increases, they
travel further in the same time.
(1)
2
This is an open ended question
0 marks: Demonstrates no
understanding: no evaluation is offered,
or a judgment is made that is not correct
in terms of the physics used.
1 mark: The candidate has
demonstrated a limited understanding of
the physics involved. The candidate has
made some comments/responses which
are relevant to the situation, showing
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Open ended
question – a variety
of Physics ideas,
explanations and/or
statements can be
used to answer this
question
Marks are awarded
on the basis of
whether the answer,
overall,
demonstrates ‘no’,
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‘limited’, ‘reasonable’
or ‘good’
understanding.
that at least a little of the physics within
the question is understood
2 marks: The candidate has
demonstrated a reasonable
understanding of the physics involved.
The candidate has made some
comments/responses which are relevant
to the situation, showing that the
question is understood.
3 marks: The maximum available mark
would be awarded to a candidate who
has demonstrated a good
understanding of the physics involved.
The candidate shows a good
comprehension of the physics of the
situation and has provided a logically
correct answer to the question posed.
This type of response might include a
statement of the principles involved, a
relationship or an equation, and the
application of these to respond to the
situation outlined in the question. This
does not mean the answer has to be
what might be termed an ‘excellent’
answer or a ‘complete’ one.
3
a
i
ii
Labels (quantities and units) and scale
(1)
Points correctly plotted
(1)
Correct best fit line
(1)
Gradient of graph
(1)
Refractive index =
1∙50
3
Non-linear
scale = 0 marks
Allow ½ division
tolerance in plotting
points
2
(1)
1 mark for knowing
to calculate the
gradient of best fit
line.
1 mark for correct
value.
Repeated measurements
Increased range of measurements
2
1 mark each up to a
maximum of 2
marks.
Narrower beam of light
Increase the number of values within
the range
Note – do not accept
‘bigger protractor’
Protractor with more precise scale e.g.
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1/2o divisions
b
(1)
3
(1)
(1)
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Appendix 2
Extracts from draft Higher Physics Assignment
The assignment requires the candidate to carry out an in-depth study of a physics topic. The
topic will be chosen by the candidate (with guidance from the Centre) who will investigate/
research the underlying physics.
In the course of their Assignment, candidates are required to:
 choose a relevant topic in physics (the assessor must review the appropriateness of the
topic chosen)
 state appropriate aim(s)
 research the topic by selecting relevant data/information
 process and present relevant data/information
 analyse data/information
 state conclusion(s)
 evaluate their investigation
 explain the underlying physics of the topic researched
 present the findings of the research in a report.
Draft Marking Instructions for Higher Physics assignment:
Criteria
Expected
response
Max
mark
Additional guidance
Aim(s)
Candidate
states
appropriate
aim(s)
1
The aim(s) must be clearly stated and
appropriate to the investigation undertaken.
Apply knowledge
and
understanding of
physics
Candidate
explains the
topic, using the
underlying
physics
4
4 marks should be awarded to a candidate
who has
provided correct explanations of the topic
researched using physics terms/ideas which
are at a depth appropriate to Higher Physics
(this does not mean the answer has to be
‘excellent’ or ‘complete’)
3 marks should be awarded to a candidate
who has
provided mostly correct explanations of the
topic researched using physics terms/ideas
which are at a depth appropriate to Higher
Physics
2 marks should be awarded to a candidate
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who has
provided some correct explanations of the
topic researched using physics terms/ideas
which are at a depth appropriate to Higher
Physics
1 mark should be awarded to a candidate
who has
provided only one correct explanation of
the topic researched, using physics
terms/ideas which are at a depth appropriate
to Higher Physics
0 marks: The candidate fails to meet the
minimum standards required for 1 mark.
Select
information
Selects
sufficient
relevant
data/information
for inclusion in
the report
2
2 marks: The data/information selected by
the candidate for
presentation/processing/analysis is both
relevant and sufficient.
1 mark: The data/information selected by the
candidate for
presentation/processing/analysis is relevant
but insufficient
0 marks: The data/information selected by
the candidate for
presentation/processing/analysis is neither
relevant nor sufficient
This could include raw data from an
experiment/practical activity, extracted tables,
graphs, diagrams and text. It might include,
for example, statistical, graphical, numerical
or experimental data; data/information from
the internet; published articles or extracts;
notes taken from a visit or talk; notes taken
from a written or audio-visual source.
Process and
present
Data/information 4
is processed
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Processing can include, for example:
performing calculations, manipulating data,
summarising referenced text (although the
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data/information
and presented
marks are awarded for processing, it must be
clear where the raw or extracted
data/information came from)
Presenting processed data/information can
include for example appropriate formats from:
summary, graph, table, chart or diagram (one
must be graph, table, chart or diagram). In
each case, sufficient detail should be included
to convey the data/information. In all cases
the candidate must clearly reference the
source of the original data.
4 marks should be awarded to a candidate
who has processed and presented all
data/information correctly and appropriately
3 marks should be awarded to a candidate
who has processed all data/information
correctly and appropriately and presented
most data/information correctly and
appropriately
or
who has processed most data/information
correctly and appropriately and presented all
data/information correctly and appropriately.
2 marks should be awarded to a candidate
who has processed and presented some of
the data/information correctly and
appropriately
1 mark should be awarded to a candidate
who has processed and presented little
data/information correctly and appropriately.
0 marks: The candidate fails to meet the
minimum standards required for 1 mark.
Analyse
data/information
Data/information 2
is analysed
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Analysis will include interpreting
data/information included in the report (which
may/may not have been processed by the
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candidate) to identify relationships. This may
include further calculations.
2 marks for correctly analysing the
data/information.
1 mark for some correct analysis of the
data/information.
0 marks: The candidate fails to meet the
minimum standards required for 1 mark.
Conclusion(s)
States valid
conclusion(s)
2
2 marks for stating at least 2 conclusion(s)
that relate(s) to the aim(s) and is supported
by evidence from the candidate’s research.
1 mark for stating a conclusion that relate(s)
to the aim(s) and is supported by evidence
from the candidate’s research.
0 marks: The candidate fails to meet the
minimum standards required for 1 mark.
Evaluation
Evaluation of
the investigation
3
For marks to be awarded for evaluation,
candidates must make judgements based on
criteria. The criteria, upon which judgements
of the investigation are made, may include the
following (not an exhaustive list):
 Robustness of findings
 Validity of sources
 Evaluation of experimental procedures
One mark for each valid, evaluative comment
based on relevant criteria, to a maximum of
three marks.
0 marks: The candidate has not met the
standards described for 1 mark.
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Presentation
 Appropriate
presentation
 References
2
Maximum of 2 marks for the presentation of
the report
1 mark for each of:
 Appropriate title and structure
 The references to at least two sources
used in the report are given in sufficient
detail to allow them to be retrieved by a
third party. If one of the sources is an
experiment/practical activity, then the title
and the aim should be recorded.
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