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240 questions
Physics/Paper 4/Experimental Contexts
CAIEO-Level5054-o · Paper 4

Experimental Contexts

240 questions· page 1 of 24

Q22025 May/Jun·P4110 partsEasy
(a)(i)

Draw a line from point A at an angle of 30∘30^\circ in an anticlockwise direction from AB.

This line should be more than 10 cm long.

Label the end of the line as point C.

(a)(ii)

Mark a point D on the line AB, 4.0 cm from point A.

Draw a line perpendicular to AB through point D.

This line must also pass through the line AC that you have drawn in part (a)(i).

Label, with an E, the point where the line through point D passes through AC.

(b)(i)

Draw a normal to line AC at point E.

(b)(ii)

Label the angle between DE and the normal you have drawn with a θ\theta.

Measure and record angle θ\theta.

θ\theta = ______ ∘^\circ

(b)(iii)

The student:

  • marks two points P1P_1 and P2P_2 on the reflected line
  • removes the mirror and draws the reflected line through points P1P_1 and P2P_2.

Describe how points P1P_1 and P2P_2 are chosen to give as accurate a reflected line as possible.

(c)(i)

Fig. 2.2 shows a second line, labelled AʹBʹ.

On Fig. 2.2, draw a line from point Aʹ at an angle of 60∘60^\circ in an anticlockwise direction from line AʹBʹ.

The line should be more than 10 cm long.

Label the end of the line with a Cʹ.

(c)(ii)

Mark a point Dʹ on the line AʹBʹ, 4.0 cm from point Aʹ.

Draw a line perpendicular to AʹBʹ through point Dʹ.

This line must also pass through the line AʹCʹ.

Label the point where the line through point Dʹ passes through AʹCʹ with an Eʹ.

Draw a normal to line AʹCʹ at point Eʹ.

(c)(iii)

Label the angle between DʹEʹ and the normal you have drawn with an α\alpha.

Explain one practical precaution that you take to ensure that the normal is accurately drawn.

(c)(iv)

Measure and record angle α\alpha.

α\alpha = ______ ∘^\circ

(d)

Theory suggests that:

α=2θ\alpha = 2\theta

State whether your results support this theory.

Give a reason for your answer.

Q42025 May/Jun·P416MMedium

When a table tennis ball is dropped as shown in Fig. 4.1, it will bounce back upwards. Some of the initial gravitational potential energy (GPE) of the ball is lost in the bounce.

Plan an experiment to investigate how the height from which the ball is dropped affects the percentage of GPE lost in each bounce.

You may use any apparatus commonly found in a school laboratory in addition to the apparatus shown in Fig. 4.1.

GPE is given by the equation:

GPE=mgh\text{GPE} = mgh

where mm is the mass of the ball, gg is the gravitational field strength and hh is the height above the bench from which the ball is dropped.

In your plan, you should:

  • state what you will measure (dependent variable) and any additional apparatus you may use
  • state any key variables to keep constant
  • explain how you will ensure the results are as accurate as possible
  • draw a table with column headings to display the results
  • explain how you will use the results to draw a conclusion.
Similar questions
Q42025 Oct/Nov·P416MMedium

A solar cell is a device that can generate electrical power when light falls on it.

You are given a solar cell connected to a fixed resistor as in the incomplete circuit shown in Fig. 4.1.

Plan an experiment to investigate how the brightness of the light falling on the solar cell affects the electrical power output of the solar cell.

The power of the cell can be found using the equation:

power=current×voltage\text{power} = \text{current} \times \text{voltage}

The following apparatus is available in addition to the apparatus shown in the circuit diagram:

  • a lamp connected to a power supply
  • a metre rule
  • a voltmeter
  • an ammeter
  • connecting leads.

Other apparatus normally available in a school laboratory can also be used.

In your plan, you should:

  • explain how you will vary the brightness of the light falling on the solar cell
  • show how the voltmeter and ammeter are used (you may draw on Fig. 4.1 to aid your explanation)
  • state any variable(s) that you will control
  • draw a table, with column headings, to show how to display your measurements (you are not required to enter any measurements in the table)
  • explain how to use your measurements to reach a conclusion.
Similar questions
Q42025 Oct/Nov·P426MMedium

A student investigates the rate of cooling of hot water in a beaker.

Plan an experiment to investigate the relationship between the thickness of the cardboard insulation wrapped around the beaker and the rate of cooling of the hot water in the beaker.

The apparatus available includes:

  • a supply of hot water
  • a beaker
  • a thermometer
  • a supply of 1 mm thick cardboard sheets

In your plan include:

  • any other apparatus needed
  • a brief description of the method, including what you will measure and how you make sure that your measurements are accurate
  • the variables you will control
  • a results table to record your measurements (you are not required to enter any readings in the table)
  • how you will process your results to reach a conclusion.
Similar questions
Q42024 May/Jun·P416MMedium-Hard

Plan an experiment to investigate how the thickness of a metal wire affects its resistance.

The resistance of a wire can be found using the equation:

resistance of wire=potential difference (p.d.) across wirecurrent in the wire\text{resistance of wire} = \frac{\text{potential difference (p.d.) across wire}}{\text{current in the wire}}

The following apparatus is available:

  • six lengths of metal wire, each of different thickness
  • an ammeter
  • a voltmeter
  • a power supply
  • several connecting leads
  • a micrometer.

Other apparatus normally available in a school laboratory can also be used.

In your plan, you should:

  • draw a circuit diagram to show how you will use the apparatus
  • explain briefly how to carry out the investigation
  • state the key variables to keep constant
  • draw a table, with column headings, to show how to display readings (you are not required to enter any readings in the table)
  • explain how to use these readings to reach a conclusion.
Similar questions
Q42024 May/Jun·P426MMedium

A student has a converging (convex) lens and needs to determine its focal length.

Plan an experiment that will enable the student to measure an accurate value for the focal length ff of the lens.

The focal length ff of a lens can be calculated using the equation:

f=uvu+vf = \frac{uv}{u + v}

where uu is the distance between an object and the lens and vv is the distance between the focussed image of the object and the lens.

Fig. 4.1 shows some of the apparatus available.

The lamp is connected to a power supply and can be switched on and off as required.

Write a plan for the experiment.

In your plan you should:

  • list any additional apparatus needed
  • draw a diagram of the arrangement of the apparatus, labelling uu and vv
  • explain briefly how to do the experiment
  • state the steps taken to obtain a sharp, focussed image
  • explain how to use your readings to determine ff.
Similar questions
Q42024 Oct/Nov·P416MMedium

A student uses ice cubes to investigate the time taken for different masses of ice to melt when the ice cubes are placed in water.

Plan an experiment using ice cubes to investigate how the mass of ice affects the time taken for the ice to melt.

The following apparatus is available:

  • top pan balance
  • supply of ice cubes
  • 250 cm3\text{cm}^3 beaker
  • supply of cold water
  • stopwatch

You may also use other apparatus and materials that are usually available in a school laboratory.

In your plan, you should:

  • explain briefly how to do the investigation
  • state the key variables to keep constant
  • draw a table, with column headings, to show how to display readings (you are not required to enter any readings in the table)
  • explain how to use these readings to reach a conclusion.

You do not have to include a diagram of the apparatus you use but you may do so if it helps your plan.

Similar questions
Q22024 Oct/Nov·P4210 partsEasy
(a)(i)

On Fig. 2.1, draw the symbol for a voltmeter connected to measure the potential difference VXYV_{XY} across the 270 Ω270\ \Omega resistor.

(a)(ii)

Fig. 2.2 shows the voltmeter reading of the potential difference VXYV_{XY} when the voltmeter is connected across the 270 Ω270\ \Omega resistor.

Record VXYV_{XY} in Table 2.1.

(b)(i)

Calculate the value of (VXY+VYZ)(V_{XY} + V_{YZ}) for the 270 Ω270\ \Omega resistor. Record your answer in Table 2.1.

(b)(ii)

The current II in the circuit can be calculated using the equation:

I=VXYRI = \frac{V_{XY}}{R}

where R=270 ΩR = 270\ \Omega.

Calculate II. Record your answer in Table 2.1.

(b)(iii)

The resistance RLEDR_{LED} of the LED can be calculated using the equation:

RLED=VYZIR_{LED} = \frac{V_{YZ}}{I}

Calculate RLEDR_{LED}. Record your answer in Table 2.1.

(c)

The student repeats the procedure in (a) and (b), replacing the 270 Ω270\ \Omega resistor, first with a 470 Ω470\ \Omega resistor and then with a 560 Ω560\ \Omega resistor.

The student’s results are shown in Table 2.1, but the value of VXYV_{XY} for the 560 Ω560\ \Omega resistor is missing.

Calculate VXYV_{XY} and record your answer in Table 2.1 on page 6.

(d)(i)

(VXY+VYZ)(V_{XY} + V_{YZ})

(d)(ii)

RLEDR_{LED}.

(e)

Another student assembles a circuit using the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 2.1. This student finds that, when the switch is closed, the LED does not light up.

The student tests the components and finds that the power source is producing an e.m.f., and that none of the other components are broken.

Suggest the error this student has made while assembling the circuit.

(f)

Name and draw the symbol of a single device that can be used to change the current in the circuit without the need to connect different resistors across the terminals X and Y in the circuit in Fig. 2.1.

name of device ______

symbol for device

Q42024 Oct/Nov·P426MMedium-Hard

Water is heated from room temperature to its boiling temperature in a glass beaker.

Plan an experiment to investigate if the time taken for the water to reach its boiling temperature depends on the diameter of the water surface exposed to the air.

You are provided with:

  • a supply of cold water
  • a set of glass beakers of different sizes
  • a Bunsen burner, tripod and gauze
  • a measuring cylinder.

You may use any other common laboratory apparatus.

In your plan include:

  • any other apparatus needed
  • a brief description of the method, including what you will measure and how you will make sure your measurements are accurate
  • the variables you will control
  • a results table to record your measurements (you are not required to enter any readings in the table)
  • how you will process your results to draw a conclusion.

You may include a labelled diagram if you wish.

Similar questions
Q42023 May/Jun·P416MMedium

A student attaches a propeller to an electric motor driven by a 0 to 12 V12\ \text{V} d.c. power supply as shown in Fig. 4.1.

Moving air from the propeller exerts a force on the balance.

Plan an experiment to investigate how this force varies with the voltage of the power supply.

The following apparatus is available:

  • an electric motor
  • an electronic balance
  • a power supply
  • a propeller
  • a voltmeter.

You can also use other apparatus and materials that are usually available in a school laboratory.

In your plan, you should:

  • explain briefly how to carry out the investigation
  • state the key variables to control
  • draw a table, with column headings, to show how to display your readings
    (you are not required to enter any readings in the table)
  • explain how to use your readings to reach a conclusion.
Similar questions
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