7

1 In this experiment, you will investigate the potential difference in an electrical circuit.

(a) Set up the circuit as shown in Fig. 1.1.

potentiometer A

jockey

Fig. 1.1

Close the switch and connect the voltmeter to the center of potentiometer A. Record
the voltmeter reading V0.

V0 = 0.96 V [1]

(b) Modify the circuit and set it up as shown in Fig. 1.2

x y

potentiometer A jockey

V
S

potentiometer B
z

Fig. 1.2
Connect the crocodile clip S to the centre of potentiometer B. Shift the jockey to the
centre of potentiometer A as shown in Fig 1.2.

Close the switch and record the voltmeter reading that measures the potential
difference across length x.

Vx = 1.64 V [1]
 8

(c) Shift the jockey along potentiometer A until the voltmeter reading Vx is equal to V0 in
(a).

Measure and record distances x, y and z.

x = 0.099 m

y = 0.901 m

z = 0.480 m [1]

(d) Vary z between 0.450 m and 1.000 m, and repeat (c) until you have six sets of values
of x and y, keeping Vx equal to V0 (a) throughout.

z/m x/m y/m y y

x z

0.480 0.099 0.901 9.10 1.88

0.600 0.115 0.885 7.70 1.48

0.720 0.128 0.872 6.81 1.21

0.820 0.144 0.856 5.94 1.04

0.900 0.155 0.845 5.45 0.940

1.000 0.180 0.820 4.56 0.820

[6]
 9

(e) It is suggested that the quantities x, y and z are related by the expression
y y
=p +q
x z
where p and q are constants.

Plot a suitable graph to determine the values of p and q.

p = 4.14

q = 1.51 [6]
 10

Z
 11

(f) Theory suggests that

ε
q= -1
V0
where ε is the e.m.f. of the battery.

Calculate ε using the value of V0 in (a).

ε = (q + 1) (V0) = (1.51 + 1) (0.96) = 2.41 V

ε = 2.41 V [1]

(g) It is also known that p increases when ε increases.

Sketch a new line on your graph grid to show the results you would expect if the
experiment is repeated with a larger ε.

Label this line as Z. [1]

[Total: 17]
 12

2 In this experiment, you will investigate how the motion of a spring depends on its volume.

(a) Using a vernier caliper, measure and record the diameter D and length L of the coiled
part of one spring as shown in Fig. 2.1.

Zero error = 0 cm L
D1 = 1.49 cm
D2 = 1.51 cm Fig. 2.1
Dave = 1.50 cm
L1 = 2.01 cm D = 1.50 cm
L2 = 1.99 cm
Lave = 2.00 cm L = 2.00 cm [1]

(b) Calculate the volume V inside the coiled part of the spring using

2
πD L
V=
4

V = 3.53 cm3 [1]

 13

(c) Attach one end of a spring to the clamp. Then gently hang a mass of 100 g at the
other end as shown in Fig. 2.2.

clamp

spring

100 g mass

Fig. 2.2

Gently pull the mass towards the bench slightly. Release the mass and it will
oscillate.

Take suitable measurements to determine T, the period of the oscillation.

For 50 oscillations, t1 = 21.0 s; t2 = 20.8 s

T = (21.0 + 20.8) / (2 x 50) = 0.418 s

T = 0.418 s [1]

(d) Vary V by adding springs in series, and repeat (c) until you have five sets of values
of T. V can be determined by multiplying the number of springs by the value in (b).

Tabulate your results in the space below.

No. of No. of t1 / s t2 / s T/s T 2 / s2 V / cm3

springs oscillations

1 50 21.0 20.8 0.418 0.175 3.53

2 40 23.8 23.6 0.593 0.351 7.07

3 30 21.8 21.9 0.728 0.530 10.6

4 25 21.0 21.1 0.843 0.710 14.1

[3]
5 25 23.9 23.6 0.951 0.903 17.7
 14

(e) It is suggested that V = n T2, where n is a constant.

Plot V against T2 on the grid and draw the straight line of best fit.

[2]

(f) Determine the value of n from the graph in (e).

n = 19.5 cm3 s-2 [1]

[Total: 9]
 15

3 In this experiment, you will investigate the force needed to pull a cylinder up a step.

(a) Measure and record the thickness h of the board as shown in Fig 3.1 using Vernier
calipers.

h1 = 1.16 cm
h2 = 1.16 cm
have = 1.16 cm
Fig. 3.1

h = 1.16 cm [1]

(b) Suspend three (50 g) slotted masses from the newton meter using the loop of thread,
as shown in Fig. 3.2.

newton meter

loop of thread

three slotted
masses

Fig. 3.2

Record the total weight W of these masses.

W1 = 1.5 N
W2 = 1.5 N
Wave = 1.5 N
W = 1.5 N [1]

(c) (i) Measure and record the diameter d of one of the (50 g) slotted masses
using Vernier calipers.

d1 = 2.98 cm
d2 = 3.00 cm
dave = 2.99 cm
d = 2.99 cm [1]
 16

(ii)  is the angle that the line, which passes through the centre of the slotted
mass and the corner of the step, makes with the vertical.
The value of cos  is given by
d − 2h
cos θ =
d
Calculate .
cos  = (2.99 – 2 x 1.16) / 2.99 = 0.224

 = 77.1 [1]

(d) Place the board on the bench to make a step. Stand the three (50 g) slotted masses
on their edges next to the step with their slots at the top, as shown in Fig. 3.3.
Attach the loop of thread to the masses and the newton meter, as shown in Fig. 3.3.

Fig. 3.3

Slowly pull the handle of the newton meter horizontally and at right angles to the
step. The minimum force required to just start the slotted masses rolling up the step
is F.

Measure and record F.

F1 = 1.6 N
F2 = 1.6 N F = 1.6 N [1]
Fave = 1.6 N

(e) Estimate the percentage uncertainty in your value of F.

Percentage uncertainty = (0.1 + 0.1) / 1.6 x 100% = 12.5%

percentage uncertainty = 12.5% [1]

 17

(f) Repeat (b), (c)(i), (c)(ii) and (d) using the three larger (100 g) slotted masses.

W1 = 3.0 N
W2 = 3.0 N
Wave = 3.0 N W = 3.0 N

d1 = 3.78 cm
d2 = 3.80 cm
dave = 3.79 cm
d = 3.79 cm
cos 
= (3.79 – 2 x 1.16) / 3.79
= 0.388

F1 = 4.4 N
F2 = 4.4 N  = 67.2
Fave = 4.4 N

F = 4.4 N [2]

(g) It is suggested that the relationship between F, W and  is

F = k W tan 
where k is a constant.

(i) Using your experimental data, determine two values of k.

k1 = 1.6 / (1.5 x tan 77.1) = 0.245

k2 = 4.4 / (3.0 x tan 67.2) = 0.617

first value of k = 0.245

second value of k = 0.617 [2]

 18

(ii) State whether the results of your experiment support the suggested
relationship.

Justify your conclusion by referring to your answer in (e).

Percentage difference in k = 86.3%, which is significantly larger than the

percentage uncertainty of 12.5% in F in (e). Hence the results of the
experiment does not support the suggested relationship.

[1]
(iii) Suggest a significant source of error in this experiment.

It is difficult to maintain the newton meter horizontal as it is held by hand

and not steady, therefore affecting the accuracy of F.

[1]

(iv) Suggest an improvement that could be made to the experiment to reduce

the uncertainty identified in (g)(iii).

You may suggest the use of other apparatus or a different procedure.

Use retort stand to clamp the newton meter horizontal, check with spirit
level, then move the retort stand

[1]
 19

(h) Plan an investigation to find the unknown height h of a step such that F = 0.50 W.
You would be provided with three identical slotted masses.

Your account should include:

• your experimental procedure
• control of variables
• how you would use your results to determine the unknown height h

Independent variable: h (by varying the no. of boards stacked together)

Dependent variable: force F
Control variable: W (weight of slotted masses) used to be kept constant

Place the board on the bench to make a step. Stand the three slotted masses on
their edges next to the step with their slots at the top, as shown in Fig. 3.3.
Attach the loop of thread to the masses and the newton meter, as shown in Fig. 3.3.

Slowly pull the handle of the newton meter horizontally and at right angles to the
step. The minimum force required to just start the slotted masses rolling up the step
is F.

Vary h and record repeat measurements of F.

Plot a graph of F versus h and draw a line / curve of best fit. Measure and record W
with the newton meter. Read off value of h for F = 0.5 W from the graph

[4]

[Total: 17]
 20

4 The sound of a ringing alarm clock inside a sealed gas jar is heard to diminish in intensity
as the air inside the bell jar is gradually removed.

The intensity of the sound wave I detected by a data logger’s sound sensor at a fixed
distance from the gas jar is given by the equation
I = k fa p b
where f is the frequency of the sound, p is the air pressure in the bell jar, and k, a and b
are constants.

Design an experiment to determine the values of a and b.

Assume that you have a speaker that can be connected to a signal generator to produce
a sound to vary frequency. You may also use any of the other equipment found in a
Physics laboratory.

Draw a diagram to show the arrangement of your apparatus. You should pay particular
attention to
(a) the equipment you would use
(b) the procedure to be followed
(c) how the measurements would be taken
(d) the control of variables
(e) any precautions that should be taken to improve the accuracy and safety of the
experiment.

Diagram

sound sensor
mounted on retort
stand and attached
to data logger bell jar
connecting
pressure wires
gauge /
sensor
speaker
valve tap
signal
connected to air pump generator
Bench
 21

Dependent variable is sound intensity I

Independent variables frequency f and air pressure  separately,

Keep distance of sound sensor to speaker constant throughout the entire experiment.

Procedure
1. Keeping frequency f of sound constant, vary air pressure  by removing the amount of air
inside the sealed gas jar using a vacuum pump. Measure  using a pressure gauge / pressure
sensor. Record the pressure.
2. Keeping air pressure  constant (by keeping the same volume of air inside the gas jar), vary
frequency f of sound by using the signal generator and speaker to generate sounds of
different frequencies. Record the frequency by reading off the signal generator.
3. Using the data logger’s sound sensor, record the sound intensity I from a fixed distance.

Analysis
lg = lg + lg( )
Plot a suitable graph of lg I vs lg p (keeping f constant).

gradient = b ; vertical-intercept = lg( )

lg = lg + lg( )
Plot a suitable graph of lg I vs lg f (keeping p constant).

gradient = a ; vertical-intercept = lg( )

a and b can be obtained from the gradients of the respective graphs.
2 values of k can be calculated from the y-intercepts of the graphs. Average the k values to obtain
the value of k.

To improve accuracy,
1. Conduct preliminary experiment to determine the range of frequency / pressure to use

2. Conduct experiment in a quiet environment. This is because it is difficult to detect low

intensity sounds at low air pressure.

For safety measures, ensure not to use very large amplitudes of sound that could damage the ear
drums

[12]

[Total: 12]