Cambridge International AS & A Level

* 9 0 3 5 6 6 9 3 0 5 *

PHYSICS 9702/32
Paper 3 Advanced Practical Skills 2 May/June 2022

2 hours

You must answer on the question paper.

You will need: The materials and apparatus listed in the confidential instructions

INSTRUCTIONS
● Answer all questions.
● Use a black or dark blue pen. You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams or graphs.
● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page.
● Write your answer to each question in the space provided.
● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid.
● Do not write on any bar codes.
● You will be allowed to work with the apparatus for a maximum of 1 hour for each question.
● You should record all your observations in the spaces provided in the question paper as soon as these
observations are made.
● You may use a calculator.
● You should show all your working and use appropriate units.

INFORMATION
● The total mark for this paper is 40.
● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ].

For Examiner’s Use

Total

This document has 16 pages. Any blank pages are indicated.

DC (MB/FC) 304036/2
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You may not need to use all of the materials provided.

1 In this experiment, you will investigate an electrical circuit.

(a) (i) You have been provided with a stand with two clamps attached.
Do not change the positions of the clamps during the experiment.

Measure the distance x between the centres of the rods of the two clamps, as shown in
Fig. 1.1.

rod of clamp

x
rod of clamp

Fig. 1.1

x = .................................................... cm [1]

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(ii) You have been provided with a length of resistance wire with crocodile clips attached to
its ends.

● Wrap the wire around the rods of the clamps, as shown in Fig. 1.2.

rod of clamp

rod of clamp

wire

insulation

crocodile clips

stand
ohmmeter

bench Ω

Fig. 1.2

● Connect the ohmmeter to the crocodile clips, as shown in Fig. 1.2.

● Record the resistance R shown by the ohmmeter.

R = ...............................................................

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● Five sections of wire are in contact with both rods, as shown in Fig. 1.3.

sections of wire
in contact with
both rods

rod

rod

Fig. 1.3

● Record the number n of sections of wire that are in contact with both rods.

n = ...............................................................
[1]

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(b) Change n by wrapping the wire around the rods a different number of times. Measure R and
count n. Continue until you have five sets of values of R and n.

Record your results in a table. Include values of (n – 1

n ) to three significant figures in your
table.

[9]

(c) (i) Plot a graph of R on the y-axis against (n – 1

n ) on the x-axis. [3]

(ii) Draw the straight line of best fit. [1]

(iii) Determine the gradient and y-intercept of this line.

gradient = ...............................................................

y-intercept = ...............................................................
[2]

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(d) It is suggested that the quantities R and n are related by the equation

R = a (n – 1
n) + b
where a and b are constants.

Use your answers in (c)(iii) to determine the values of a and b.

Give appropriate units.

a = ...............................................................

b = ...............................................................
[2]

(e) The resistance per unit length r of the wire can be found using

a = – xr.

Calculate r. Give an appropriate unit.

r = ......................................................... [1]

[Total: 20]

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You may not need to use all of the materials provided.

2 In this experiment, you will investigate an oscillating system.

(a) (i) ● ou have been provided with two lengths of string and a wooden rod. Tie the strings
Y
to the rod at the positions of the lines, as shown in Fig. 2.1.

string
rod

line marked
on rod

Fig. 2.1

● Assemble the apparatus as shown in Fig. 2.2.

Both split corks should be at a height of 55 cm above the bench.

clamp split cork split cork

boss L
string

rod
stand
55 cm
38 cm

30 cm

Fig. 2.2

● Adjust the strings in the split corks so that the lower end of the rod is 30 cm above
the bench and the upper end of the rod is 38 cm above the bench, as shown in
Fig. 2.2.

● Move the stands so that the strings are vertical.

● The horizontal distance between the strings is L, as shown in Fig. 2.2.

Measure and record L.

L = ......................................................... [1]
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(ii) ● Push the centre of the rod away from you. Release it and watch its motion.
The rod will twist for a while and then swing for a very short time before twisting
again and swinging again for a very short time.

● The time from when the rod swings to when it next swings is ts.

Measure and record ts.

ts = ......................................................... [2]

(iii) Estimate the percentage uncertainty in your value of ts. Show your working.

percentage uncertainty = ......................................................% [1]

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(b) (i) ● Leave the strings clamped in the split corks, but slide the string loops off the rod.

● For the longer string, fill the loop with modelling clay to make a pendulum, as shown
in Fig. 2.3.

modelling clay

Fig. 2.3

● Push the modelling clay a short distance away from you. Take measurements to
determine the period T1 of its oscillations.

T1 = ......................................................... [1]

(ii) Repeat (b)(i) for the shorter string to determine the period T2 of its oscillations.

T2 = ......................................................... [1]

(iii) Calculate B, where

T1T2
B= .
(T1 – T2)
Give an appropriate unit.

B = ......................................................... [1]
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(c) ● emove the modelling clay from the string loops and slide the loops back onto the rod at
R
the positions of the lines.

● Adjust the strings in the split corks so that the lower end of the rod is 20 cm above the
bench and the upper end of the rod is 33 cm above the bench, as shown in Fig. 2.4.

● Move the stands so that the strings are vertical.

55 cm

33 cm

20 cm

Fig. 2.4

● Measure and record L.

L = ...............................................................

● Push the centre of the rod away from you. Measure and record ts.

ts = ...............................................................

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● Repeat (b).

T1 = ...............................................................

T2 = ...............................................................

B = ...............................................................
[3]

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(d) It is suggested that the relationship between ts, B and L is

ts = kBL

where k is a constant.

Using your data, calculate two values of k.

first value of k = ...............................................................

second value of k = ...............................................................

[1]

(e) It is suggested that the percentage uncertainty in the values of k is 15%.

Using this uncertainty, explain whether your results support the relationship in (d).

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

............................................................................................................................................. [1]

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(f) (i) Describe four sources of uncertainty or limitations of the procedure for this experiment.

For any uncertainties in measurement that you describe, you should state the quantity
being measured and a reason for the uncertainty.

1 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

3 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

4 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[4]

(ii) Describe four improvements that could be made to this experiment. You may suggest
the use of other apparatus or different procedures.

1 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

2 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

3 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................

4 ........................................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................................
[4]

[Total: 20]

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© UCLES 2022 9702/32/M/J/22