Physics 9702/34 — October/November 2010

Cambridge AS Level · Advanced Practical Skills · worked solutions for every part, with the mark scheme

questions

marks

120

minutes

Topics Manipulation, Measurement and Observation · Presentation of Data and Observations · Analysis, Conclusions and Evaluation

Q1Manipulation, Measurement and ObservationPresentation of Data and ObservationsAnalysis, Conclusions and EvaluationFree sample

In this experiment, you will investigate the equilibrium position of a metre rule that is balanced on a curved surface.

(a)

Mount the cylinder provided on its side on the board, wedging it with modelling clay, as shown in Fig. 1.1. If the cylinder has a lip, this should hang over the edge of the board, as shown.

Fig. 1.1

Note that the sandpaper strip is on the top of the cylinder.

(b)

One of the metre rules has a cotton loop, fixed at the $65\text{ cm}$ mark. Balance this metre rule on the sandpaper strip so that it is parallel to the bench, as shown in Fig. 1.2.

Fig. 1.2

(c)

Measure and record the heights $h_1$ and $h_2$ from the bench to the bottom of each end of the metre rule (see Fig. 1.2).

$h_1$ = ______ $\text{cm}$
$h_2$ = ______ $\text{cm}$

(d)

(i)

Open out three paperclips as shown in Fig. 1.3.

Fig. 1.3

(ii)

Hang the three paperclips from the cotton loop and measure and record $h_1$ and $h_2$ .

$h_1$ = ______ $\text{cm}$
$h_2$ = ______ $\text{cm}$

(iii)

In (ii), the number $n$ of paperclips was 3.
Now increase $n$ and measure $h_1$ and $h_2$ again until you have six sets of values for $n$ , $h_1$ and $h_2$ .
Include in your table of results values for $\frac{1}{(h_1 - h_2)}$ and $\frac{1}{n}$ .

(e)

(i)

Plot a graph of $\frac{1}{(h_1 - h_2)}$ on the $y$ -axis against $\frac{1}{n}$ on the $x$ -axis.

(ii)

Draw the straight line of best fit.

(iii)

Determine the gradient and $y$ -intercept of this line.

gradient = ______
$y$ -intercept = ______

(f)

It is suggested that the relationship between $h_1$ , $h_2$ and $n$ is

\frac{1}{(h_1 - h_2)} = \frac{a}{n} + b

where $a$ and $b$ are constants.

Using your answers from (e)(iii), determine the values of $a$ and $b$ . Give appropriate units.

$a$ = ______
$b$ = ______

The rest of this paper

1 more questions

Q2Manipulation, Measurement and Observation · Presentation of Data and Observations · Analysis, Conclusions and Evaluation

Loading the full paper…