2 Significant Errors in Malaysian Form 5 Physics and Chemistry Textbooks (KBSM)

On 10/9/2013, I wrote to Ministry of Education on the above matter; and I am glad to say that the Ministry has agreed with my findings. And, what is heartening is that the Ministry replied within 8 days - Excellent job to all concerned  at the Ministry of Education. The lady who handled my call - to get the correct email to send my mail - was very professional. I therefore urge all educated parents to be vigilant and proactive about errors they detect in their kid's textbooks -  do write to the Ministry for actions because we don't want our kids to study the wrong things and give the  correct "wrong" answers in their public exams.  With that, may I wish all school children sitting for PMR and SPM very soon: Good Luck and Best Wishes!!! (P/s: Only 2 significant errors for the many pages that I have gone through - really not bad!) Here are my letter and the Ministry's reply: My letter:

"10/9/2013

To: Whom It May Concern

From: A Concerned Parent

Re: Significant Errors in Malaysian Form 5 Physics and Chemistry Textbooks (KBSM)

In good faith, I write to inform about what I think are significant errors in the above-mentioned Form 5 Science Stream textbooks.

If the Ministry agrees that they are indeed serious errors, I sincerely hope that "Corrections Circulars" can be sent out urgently to notify all relevant parties - particularly to the Form 5 Science students who will be sitting for their SPM exams. very soon. The errors:

1. Form 5 Physics Textbook (KBSM):

• At page 13: the 2nd paragraph on refraction: "By comparing the angle of incidence, i with angle of refraction, r in Figure 1.19, you will find that when waves travel from a denser medium to a less dense medium, they are refracted towards the normal." The correct underlined wordings should be "away from normal" and not "towards the normal" . This is a very serious fundamental error!
• 
  

2. Form 5 Chemistry Textbook (KBSM):

• At page 188: The chemical formula for "lauryl alcohol" was given twice there as CH₃(CH₂)₉CH₂OH. The correct chemical formula for "lauryl alcohol" should be: CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂OH (error highlighted in red).

I would be grateful for your follow-up actions.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Douglas Tan

(Handphone: 011-2328 xxxx)

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Ministry of Education's Reply:

"Rough translation of the Ministry's reply (please see below for the original):

Mr. Douglas Tan.

Sir,

1. With respect, I refer to your email...

2. Your statement about the factual errors has been referred to ...(of the Ministry) for scrutiny/investigation/study.

3. Upon our scrutiny/investigation/study, we found that there is basis to your statement about the factual errors.

4. We will carry-out immediate remedial and follow-up actions on the matter.

5. We thank you for your pro-activeness and working together on the matter.

Thank you."
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The original:

Ramlan Abu Talib <ramlan@moe.gov.my>	8:51 AM (1 hour ago)
to me, Pengarah, Paridin, Che, Krishnan, Syed, Sim, Wan

Malay

English

Translate message

Turn off for: Malay

En. Douglas Tan,

Tuan,

1.     Saya dengan hormatnya merujuk kepada e-mel tuan kepada Bahagian Buku Teks, Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia,  bertarikh 10 September 2013 berhubung perkara di atas.

2.     Penyataan tuan terhadap kesilapan fakta dalam buku teks Physics Form 5 dan Chemistry Porm 5 KBSM telah dirujuk kepada Sektor Penerbitan Sekolah Menengah untuk penelitian.

3.     Setelah dibuat penelitian , pihak kami mendapati bahawa penyataan pihak tuan terhadap hal ini mempunyai asas.

4.     Pihak kami akan melaksanakan tindakan penambahbaikan dan tindakan susulan terhadap hal ini dengan segera.

5.     Pihak kami mengucapkan terima kasih di atas keprihatinan dan kerjasama tuan terhadap hal ini.

Sekian, terima kasih.

       ..Ramlan...

Ramlan bin Haji Abu Talib

b.p Pengarah

Ketua Unit Khidmat Selia

Sektor Penyeliaan dan Penyelidikan

Bahagian Buku Teks, Kementerian Pelajaran Malaysia

Aras 1-3, Blok E-15, Parcel E

62604 PUTRAJAYA

(03-88844484) ) (019-6644435) (Fax-03-88844489)"


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Approximate Wavelength Formula, λ = ax/D

Approximate Formula for Wavelength (λ = ax/D) from Interference Pattern:

• Where, λ = wavelength

                   a = distance between the 2 coherent wave sources
             
                   x = distance between 2 adjacent antinodal lines
                         (radiating ripples or interference fringes or points of loudness)

                   D = perpendicular distance between the parallel lines
                          where a and x are  measured

• Empirical evidence from experiment shows:

• that x is directly proportional to λ

• that x is inversely proportional to a

• therefore, mathematically, x = kλ/a, where k is found to be = D

• Thus, x = Dλ/a

• And, changing the subject of formula, we have: λ = ax/D

• Application 1: The "Approximate Wavelength Formula, λ = ax/D" can be used to find the wavelength of waves from their interference patterns as a, x and D can be determined from the interference pattern. 

• Application 2: From the same formula λ = ax/D or x = Dλ/a (same formula with different subjects)
• The interference pattern of red, green or blue light can all be explained by the "Approximate Wavelength Formula, x = Dλ/a" 

                        x _red > x_blue

                     

• The distance between adjacent fringes x of red light is bigger than that of green or blue light because the wavelength of red light (λ _red) is longer as compared to that of green light (λ_green) or blue light.

• Since  λ _red > λ_green > λ_blue, from  x = Dλ/a, therefore, x _red > x_green > x_blue.

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WhatsApp me Douglas at: 018-3722 482 or, 
email: tutortan1@gmail.com

Thank you.

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Reflection of Light

1.      Law of Reflection:

• ·                       The angle of incidence, Ө_i = The angle of reflection, Ө_r 
• ·                        The incident ray, the reflected ray and the normal lie in the same plane. 

                  

·         The normal is the line drawn at right angle to the mirror where the ray strikes

·         The angle of deviation of a ray is the angle between what would have been the direction of the original ray and the actual direction of the deviated ray.)

   

2.      Image Formed by Reflection:

a.    Plane Mirror

                         i.          What is a plane mirror?

A plane mirror is a flat, smooth and reflective surface which reflects in uniform direction light falling on it.

                        ii.          Characteristics of image formed by reflection in a plane mirror:

1.    Virtual – A virtual image cannot be formed on a screen;

2.    Same size as the object (congruent);

3.    Upright;

4.    Laterally inverted – Left appears as right and right appears as left;

       

5.    The image is as far behind the mirror as the object is in front;

6.    A line joining the image and the object would be:

a.    at right angle to the mirror (perpendicular); and,

b.   bisected by the mirror;

7.    The image would move:

a.         the same distance and at the same speed as the object moves - towards or away from the mirror, following and depending on the object;

b.        twice the distance or twice the speed of the mirror as the mirror moves - - towards or away from the object, following and depending on the mirror;

c.         or rotate twice the angle of rotation of the mirror about a point in the mirror in clockwise or anticlockwise direction, following and depending on the mirror.

                      iii.          Applications of Reflection in Plane Mirror.

1.        Household mirror - We need plane mirror half our height to fully view our full height as follows:

              

2.        Dance studio

3.        Optician’s eyesight testing room

4.        Mirror periscope

5.        Anti-parallax mirror (in Ammeters, Voltmeters, etc.)

6.        Laterally-inverted spelling of the word “AMBULANCE” at the front part of ambulance so that driver of the front car when viewing through his rear view mirror would read it as “AMBULANCE” and gives way accordingly.

7.        Kaleidoscope

8.        Decoration to create feeling of spaciousness – in living halls, hotel lobby, lift, etc.

                      iv.          Ray Diagrams Showing Image Formation by Reflection in Plane Mirror

    

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