Physics 5054/41 — October/November 2023

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

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

Q110MUse of Techniques, Apparatus and MaterialsAnalysis, Conclusions and EvaluationFree sample

A student determines the speed of a wavefront on the surface of water.

The student fills a plate with water and uses a dropping pipette to let one drop of water fall into the centre of the plate as shown in Fig. 1.1.

Fig. 1.1

The wavefront that is produced travels outwards to the rim of the plate and then reflects back to the centre.

(a)

Fig. 1.2 shows a scale marked on the side of the dropping pipette.

Fig. 1.2

Describe the technique the student uses to put $1.0\ \text{cm}^3$ of water into the dropping pipette.

(b)

The student observes the wavefront travel outwards from the centre of the plate and then reflect from the rim back to the centre.

Fig. 1.3 is a side view of the wavefront as it spreads out across the diameter $D$ of the plate.

Fig. 1.3

(i)

The student uses a stop-watch to measure the time $t$ taken for the wavefront to travel outwards from the centre of the plate and then back to the centre.

Fig. 1.4 shows three readings for time $t$ .

Fig. 1.4

Use the stop-watch readings in Fig. 1.4 to determine an accurate value for $t$ .

Show your working and give your answer to a suitable number of significant figures.

$t$ = ______ $\text{s}$

(ii)

The speed of the wavefront can be calculated using the equation:

\text{speed} = \frac{\text{distance}}{\text{time}}

Fig. 1.3 is drawn to a scale of 1:2. It is half the size of the plate used in the experiment.

Calculate the speed of the wavefront using your answer from (b)(i) and a measurement taken from Fig. 1.3.

speed = ______ $\text{cm / s}$

(c)

(i)

Identify two causes of uncertainty in this experiment.

______
______

(ii)

Suggest one improvement that could be made to this experiment.

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Q2Observations and Measurements · Experimental Contexts · Analysis, Conclusions and Evaluation10M
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Q4Planning Experiments and Investigations · Experimental Contexts6M

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