Physics National 5

Assignment

• The aim must describe clearly what is to be investigated

Devise an appropriate aim for an investigation

Assignments The following areas of car safety research are suitable for an assignment task. Your choice of research topic could be based on one (or more) of these areas

The operation and benefit of seat belts. Since the introduction of seat belts, improvements such as the three-point seat belt, inertia-reel seat belts and pre-tensioning seat belts have been adopted by car manufacturers.

The operation and benefit of car ‘safety cages’. The ‘safety cage’ provides a safe area for passengers in the event of an accident. It has features which protect passengers from certain injuries.

The improvement of vehicle braking systems. Antilock braking systems and electronic stability control have improved car braking.

The improvement of steering wheel design. Steering wheels have been designed to reduce driver injuries during a crash.

The use of side-bars to reduce injury. These have been developed to protect passengers from side impacts.

The operation and design of crumple zones. The front and rear parts of cars have been designed to steadily collapse during a collision to reduce injury to the car occupants.

The design and operation of air bags to reduce injury. Air bags reduce injury to the driver and passengers during collisions.

The design and use of pedestrian air bags to reduce injury. Car manufacturers are developing these to help protect pedestrians who are struck by cars.

The use of dynamic car data to minimise injuries when an accident is happening. Car manufacturers are developing systems which detect whether emergency action is being taken by the driver, and then apply measures to reduce

• Describes the application

• Explains the effect on the environment/society

Describe an application of physics and explain its effect on the environment/society

1 mark for providing a statement of characteristics and/or features of the application 1 mark for making clear the relationship between the application and its effect on the environment/society

The design and use of pedestrian air bags to reduce injury. Car manufacturers are developing these to help protect pedestrians who are struck by cars.

The use of dynamic car data to minimise injuries when an accident is happening. Car manufacturers are developing systems which detect whether emergency action is being taken by the driver, and then apply measures to reduce

Select relevant sources

Websites The following websites contain information about research which has been carried out into car safety.

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/carcr.html#cc1

http://www.nhtsa.gov/Research/Databases+and+Software http://www.theaa.com/allaboutcars/ncap/ncap_car_results.jsp?make=Fiat&modelYear=Doblo:2004&publicationDate=2004-06-01

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/euroncap/crash_tests.html

http://www.thatcham.org/safety/pdfs/bumper_test_development.pdf

http://www.euroncap.com/Content-Web-Page/c6f9d381-1889-4c66-bfcd-c5c0a69a364d/technical-papers.aspx

*You may have to use your search engine!

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Select relevant Information from sources

2 marks for an explanation of the choice of sources on the basis of at least two of: relevancereliability of sources similar/different perspectives

1 mark for an explanation of the choice of sources on the basis of only one of the above

Process and present data/information

• 2 marks for processing raw data/information or extracted data/information from at least two sources

• Processing can include, for example: performing calculations, plotting graphs from tables, populating tables from other sources, summarising referenced text (although the marks are awarded for processing, it must be clear where the raw or extracted data/information came from)

• 1 mark for processing from only one source • 2 marks for presenting processed data/information in at least two different

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

• 1 mark for presenting in only one appropriate format • 1 further mark for complete labelling of the graphs, tables, charts or

diagrams• 1 mark for a comparison of data/information from at least two sources

• 1 mark for drawing a conclusion that relates to the aim and is supported by evidence from the candidate’s research

Draw a valid conclusion

Apply knowledge and understanding of physics

• Maximum of 3 marks for an explanation of the underlying physics• The response might include a statement of the principles involved

and include, for example, the laws of physics and/or relationships with quantities defined. The candidate must use physics terms/ideas at a depth appropriate to National 5 Physics

• 3 marks should be awarded to candidates who demonstrate a good understanding of the physics involved (this does not mean the answer has to be ‘excellent’ or ‘complete’). This means that the candidate:

• Shows a comprehension of the physics of the situation by providing a logically correct explanation of the physics involved

• Uses physics terms/ideas which are mostly at a depth appropriate to National 5 Physics and are mostly correct

• 2 marks should be awarded to candidates who demonstrate a reasonable understanding of the physics involved. This means that the candidate:

• Makes some statement(s) which is/are relevant to the situation, showing that they understand the underlying physics

• Uses physics terms/ideas, some of which are at a depth appropriate to National 5 Physics, most of which are correct

• 1 mark should be awarded to candidates who demonstrate a limited understanding of the physics involved. This means that the candidate:

• Has made some statement(s) which is/are relevant to the situation, showing that they understand at least a little of the underlying physics (although some of the physics given might be incomplete, wrong or contradictory)

• Uses physics terms/ideas which are mostly not at a depth appropriate to National 5 Physics ,or mostly incorrect

• Maximum of 3 marks for the structure of the report.

• 1 mark for each of:• Appropriate and informative title, and use of

headings where necessary• At least two references to the sources used in

the report should be given in sufficient detail to allow them to be retrieved by a third party. There is no need to follow a formal referencing system. If one of the sources is an experiment/practical activity, then the title, aim and raw data should be recorded

• Report is clear and concise

Structure of the report