Physics 9702/36 — October/November 2014

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 a network of resistors.

(a)

(i)

Assemble the circuit of Fig. 1.1.

Fig. 1.1

(ii)

To check that your circuit is correct, close the switch and place the movable contact M on the resistance wire at the $50\text{ cm}$ mark.
Record the voltmeter reading, which should be between $0.3\text{ V}$ and $0.7\text{ V}$ .

voltmeter reading = ______

(iii)

Open the switch.

(b)

(i)

Select one of the resistors labelled with a numerical value and connect it between the crocodile clips of the component holder. Record the resistance $R$ of your selected resistor.

$R$ = ______ $\text{k}\Omega$

Fig. 1.2

(ii)

Close the switch. Adjust the position of M on the resistance wire until the voltmeter reads zero. Measure and record the length $l$ as shown in Fig. 1.2.

$l$ = ______

(iii)

Open the switch.

(c)

Repeat (b) using different labelled resistors in the component holder until you have six sets of values of $R$ and $l$ . Include values of $\frac{1}{R}$ and $\frac{1}{l}$ in your table.

10M

(d)

(i)

Plot a graph of $\frac{1}{l}$ on the $y$ -axis against $\frac{1}{R}$ 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 = ______

(e)

The quantities $l$ and $R$ are related by the equation

\frac{1}{l} = \frac{a}{R} + b

where $a$ and $b$ are constants.

Use your answers in (d)(iii) to determine the values of $a$ and $b$ . Give appropriate units.

$a$ = ______
$b$ = ______

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