Physics 5054/42 — May/June 2010

Cambridge O-Level · Alternative to Practical · worked solutions for every part, with the mark scheme

questions

marks

minutes

Topics Experimental Contexts · Analysis, Conclusions and Evaluation · Observations and Measurements · Use of Techniques, Apparatus and Materials

Q1Experimental ContextsAnalysis, Conclusions and EvaluationObservations and MeasurementsFree sample

A group of students performs an experiment to investigate the flow of oil at different temperatures.

$200\text{ cm}^3$ of oil is heated gently and its temperature $\theta$ is recorded. The oil is then poured through a funnel into a second beaker, as shown in Fig. 1.1.

Fig. 1.1

The time $t$ taken for the oil to flow through the funnel is recorded with a stopwatch.

(a)

State why it is important to stir the oil during heating.

(b)

Explain why the oil is heated gently.

(c)

The experiment is repeated for several values of $\theta$ . Values of $\theta$ and $t$ are recorded in the table of Fig. 1.2.

Fig. 1.2

$\theta / ^\circ\text{C}$	$t / \text{s}$
69	13.69
52	14.97
35	17.34
24	21.16
17	25.16
10	28.85

(i)

On Fig. 1.3, plot the graph of $t / \text{s}$ on the $y$ -axis against $\theta / ^\circ\text{C}$ on the $x$ -axis.

Start your graph from $\theta = 0\ ^\circ\text{C}$ and $t = 12\text{ s}$ . Draw the curved line of best fit.

Fig. 1.3

(ii)

Estimate the time taken for oil at $80\ ^\circ\text{C}$ to flow through the funnel.

______

(iii)

State the maximum reading on a standard laboratory liquid-in-glass thermometer that is suitable for this experiment.

______

(d)

Explain why it is not possible to repeat a reading immediately after it is taken.

(e)

Tick two boxes to show which of the following will make the experiment more accurate.


using a more sensitive thermometer
using two people to take the measurements
using a thicker oil
using a larger range of readings
pouring the oil quickly after taking its temperature

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3 more questions

Q2Observations and Measurements · Experimental Contexts · Analysis, Conclusions and Evaluation7M
Q3Analysis, Conclusions and Evaluation · Observations and Measurements5M
Q4Experimental Contexts · Use of Techniques, Apparatus and Materials7M

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