Physics 5054/42 — May/June 2022

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

questions

marks

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

Q115MUse of Techniques, Apparatus and MaterialsObservations and MeasurementsAnalysis, Conclusions and EvaluationFree sample

A student determines the thickness of the glass in a test-tube.

(a)

The student uses a ruler and two rectangular wooden blocks to help him measure the external diameter $D$ of the test-tube.

Describe, with the aid of a diagram, how the student determines an accurate value for $D$ .

(b)

The student:

clamps the test-tube in a stand
fills a measuring cylinder to the 100 $\text{cm}^3$ mark with water
pours some water from the measuring cylinder into the test-tube.

The arrangement of apparatus is shown in Fig. 1.1. The test-tube containing water is also shown full size in Fig. 1.1.

Fig. 1.1

Measure the height $h$ of the water in the full size test-tube in Fig. 1.1.

Record $h$ in centimetres to the nearest millimetre in the second row in Table 1.1.

(c)

Fig. 1.2 shows the volume $V_R$ of water remaining in the measuring cylinder.

Fig. 1.2

(i)

Record $V_R$ in Table 1.1.

(ii)

Calculate the volume $V$ of water in the test-tube.

Record your answer in Table 1.1.

(d)

The student:

adds more water from the measuring cylinder into the test-tube
measures and records the new values of $h$ and $V_R$ in Table 1.1
repeats the procedure for three more values of $h$ and $V_R$ .

The student's results are shown in Table 1.1.

Table 1.1

$h / \text{cm}$	$V_R / \text{cm}^3$	$V / \text{cm}^3$

5.6	79	21
8.9	66	34
12.5	54	46
14.2	47	53

On the grid provided, plot a graph of $V$ on the y-axis against $h$ on the x-axis.

Start both axes from the origin (0, 0).

Draw the best-fit straight line.

Fig. 1.3

(e)

(i)

Calculate the gradient $m$ of your line. Show all working and indicate on the graph the values you use.

$m$ = ______

(ii)

If the test-tube is a perfect cylinder, then the internal diameter $d$ is given by the equation:

d = \sqrt{\frac{4m}{\pi}}

Use your value of $m$ from (e)(i) and the equation to calculate $d$ .

$d$ = ______ $\text{cm}$

(f)

Your value for $d$ is approximate.

(i)

State one difficulty in measuring the height $h$ of the water in the test-tube and suggest how this difficulty can be overcome.

difficulty ______
suggestion ______

(ii)

Suggest another reason why your calculated value for $d$ is only approximate.

(g)

(i)

Measure the external diameter $D$ of the full size test-tube in Fig. 1.1.

Record $D$ in centimetres to the nearest millimetre.

$D$ = ______ $\text{cm}$

(ii)

Use your answers for (e)(ii) and (g)(i) to calculate the thickness of the glass in the test-tube.

thickness of the glass = ______ $\text{cm}$

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