International A LevelPhysicsEdexcelExam Questions6. Practical Skills in Physics IIPractical Skills II: Planning

Practical Skills II: Planning (Edexcel International A Level Physics)

Exam Questions

28 mins3 questions
1a
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A pendulum of length l swings in a vertical plane. The string hits a peg placed at a distance h vertically below the point of suspension as shown. This makes the pendulum shorter for part of its motion.

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Determine the time period T  for the whole oscillation when h = 0.25 m.

l = 1.00 m

 
T = ...........................................

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1b
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A student suggests that an approximate relationship between T and h is given by
      T squared equals pi squared over g open parentheses 2 l minus h close parentheses

Devise a plan to test the validity of the relationship using a graphical method.

Include the use of a stopwatch and any additional apparatus as required.

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1c
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Another student suggests determining T  by setting up a light gate attached to a data logger.
Discuss whether this modification would improve the investigation.

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2a
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A student investigated the relationship between the length l of a column of air and its temperature θ using the apparatus shown.

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A sample of air is trapped inside the tube between the closed end and the drop of concentrated sulfuric acid.

Suggest why one end of the tube is left open.

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2b
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The student suggested placing the apparatus in a beaker of boiling water and allowing the water to cool. Boiling water is a hazard.

Explain one other reason why this method may be hazardous.

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2c
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The capillary tube was attached to a 30 cm ruler and placed in a beaker of water at room temperature. The water was heated gradually and θ was measured using a thermometer.

i)
State two techniques that should be used to ensure the measurement of θ is as accurate as possible.

(2)

ii)
The student recorded the following measurements.
θ / °C l / cm
19.0 16.0
35.0 16.9
49.0 17.7

The student predicted that a graph of l against θ could be used to estimate a value for θ at absolute zero as shown.

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Discuss whether the student’s measurements would lead to an accurate value of θ at absolute zero.

(3)

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3a
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A student investigated Lenz’s law using the apparatus shown.

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The student dropped the magnet into the copper tube and measured the time t for the magnet to reach the bottom of the tube.

The student had a large number of copper tubes of different lengths x. He predicted that the magnet would fall with constant acceleration a inside the copper tubes.

Devise a plan, using a graphical method, to test this prediction.

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3b
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Explain a possible source of error in this investigation.

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