10

4 A student suggests that the area of the water surface will affect the rate of cooling of hot water in a
container.

Plan an experiment to investigate the relationship between surface area and rate of cooling.

Write a plan for the experiment, including:

• the apparatus needed

• how you will obtain a range of surface areas

• instructions for carrying out the experiment

• the measurements you will take

• the precautions you will take to ensure that the results are as reliable as possible

• the graph you will plot from your results – you should sketch the axes, with appropriate labels.

A diagram is not required but you may draw one if it helps to explain your plan.

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

1) use a kettle to heat some water to a certain temperature.

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

2) pour some of the hot water into the measuring cylinder and record the volume.
..........................................................................................................................................................

3) pour the water into the glass beaker and set up apparatus as shown in the
..........................................................................................................................................................

diagram.
..........................................................................................................................................................

4) Record the initial temperature of the water in the insulated beaker and start
..........................................................................................................................................................

the stopwatch.
..........................................................................................................................................................

5) measure the temperature of the water every 30 seconds for a total time of four
..........................................................................................................................................................

minutes.
..........................................................................................................................................................

6) repeat the above procedure with two more beakers of different areas
..........................................................................................................................................................

7) Record your results in the following table

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

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

© UCLES 2016 0625/62/F/M/16

 11

time/s temperature/°C
..........................................................................................................................................................

Beaker 1 Beaker 2 Beaker 3

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

0
..........................................................................................................................................................

30
..........................................................................................................................................................

60
..........................................................................................................................................................

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

8) Plot three graphs one for each beaker of temperature/°C (Y-axis) against
..........................................................................................................................................................

time/s (X-axis)
..........................................................................................................................................................

Precautions:
..........................................................................................................................................................

1) use the same beaker through the whole experiment.

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

2) for each beaker material use same volume of water.

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

3) for each beaker material use same initial temperature of water in beaker.
..........................................................................................................................................................

4) make sure room temperature is constant.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

......................................................................................................................................................[7]

[Total: 7]
© UCLES 2016 0625/62/F/M/16
 8

4 A student is investigating the effect of insulation on the rate of cooling of hot water in a 250 cm3
container.

The student can choose from the following apparatus:

thermometer
250 cm3 glass beaker
250 cm3 plastic beaker
250 cm3 copper can
250 cm3 measuring cylinder
three different insulating materials
clamp, boss and stand
stopwatch.

Plan an experiment to investigate the effectiveness of the three insulating materials.

You should

• explain briefly how you would carry out the investigation,

• state the key variables that you would control,

• draw a table, or tables, with column headings, to show how you would display your readings.
You are not required to enter any readings in the table,

• explain how you would use your readings to reach a conclusion.

A diagram is not required but you may draw a diagram if it helps your explanation.

insulation

1) use a kettle to heat some water to a certain temperature.

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

2) pour some of the hot water into the measuring cylinder and record the
..........................................................................................................................................................
© UCLES 2016 0625/61/M/J/16
volume.
 9

3) pour the water into the glass beaker and set up apparatus as shown in the
..........................................................................................................................................................

diagram.
..........................................................................................................................................................

4) Record the initial temperature of the water in the insulated beaker and start
..........................................................................................................................................................

the stopwatch.
..........................................................................................................................................................

5) measure the temperature of the water every 30 seconds for a total time of four
..........................................................................................................................................................

minutes.
..........................................................................................................................................................

6) repeat the above procedure with two different materials of insulation.

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

7) Record your results in the following table

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

time/s temperature/°C
..........................................................................................................................................................

material 1 material 2 material 3

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

0
..........................................................................................................................................................

30
..........................................................................................................................................................

60
..........................................................................................................................................................

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

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

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

8) Plot three graphs one for each material of temperature/°C (Y-axis) against
..........................................................................................................................................................

time/s (X-axis)
..........................................................................................................................................................

Precautions:
..........................................................................................................................................................

1) use the same beaker through the whole experiment.

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

2) for each insulating material use same volume of water.

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

3) for each insulating material use same initial temperature of water in beaker.
..........................................................................................................................................................

4) for each insulating material use same thickness of insulation.

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

5) use a lid to cover the beaker.

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

6) make sure room temperature is constant.

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

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

..................................................................................................................................................... [7]

[Total: 7]
© UCLES 2016 0625/61/M/J/16 [Turn over
 8

4 A student is investigating how the resistance of a wire depends on the length of the wire. The
student aims to plot a graph.

The following apparatus is available to the student:

ammeter
voltmeter
power supply
variable resistor
switch
connecting leads
resistance wires of different lengths
metre rule.

Plan an experiment to investigate how the resistance of a wire depends on the length of the wire.

You should

• draw a diagram of the circuit you could use to determine the resistance of each wire
• explain briefly how you would carry out the investigation
• suggest suitable lengths of wire
• state the key variables that you would control
• draw a table, or tables, with column headings to show how you would display your readings.
You are not required to enter any readings in the table.

A
x y

V resistance wire

© UCLES 2016 0625/62/M/J/16

 9

1) Setup apparatus as shown with resistance wire of length l = 20.0 cm connected

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

between points x and y.

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

2) Record the readings on the voltmeter V/V and ammeter I/A in the table below
..........................................................................................................................................................

l/cm V/V I/A R/Ω

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

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

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

3) Calculate the resistance R of the resistance wire using the equation R = V/I and
..........................................................................................................................................................

record it in the table.

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

4) switch off the current and allow thec circuit to cool.

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

5) Repeat the procedure with resistance wires of length l = 40.0, 60.0, 80.0 and
..........................................................................................................................................................

100 cm.
..........................................................................................................................................................

6) Plot a graph of l/cm (x-axis) against R/Ω (y-axis).

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

Repeat the experiment with supply of different voltage or connect variable

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

resistor in series to change the voltage.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

......................................................................................................................................................[7]

[Total: 7]
© UCLES 2016 0625/62/M/J/16 [Turn over
 8

3 A student notices that the size of the image produced by a converging lens changes when the lens
is moved further away from an object.

Plan an experiment to investigate how the size of the image varies with the object distance for a
converging lens suitable for school experiments.

Write a plan for the experiment, including:

• a labelled diagram of the apparatus needed

• instructions for carrying out the experiment

• the factors that will limit the range of object distances

• the graph you will plot

• one precaution you will take to ensure reliable results, explaining what might be the effect of
not taking this precaution.

meter rule

1) Setup apparatus as shown in the diagram with a ruler right next to the setup
..........................................................................................................................................................

2) move the lens towards the illuminated object so the distance d between them
..........................................................................................................................................................

is 20.0 cm.
..........................................................................................................................................................

3) move the screen towards and away from the lens till you get the best focused
..........................................................................................................................................................

image.
..........................................................................................................................................................

4) Measure the height h of the image.

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

5) record your results in the following table:

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

d/cm h/cm
..........................................................................................................................................................

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

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

6) Repeat the procedure with d = 30.0, 40.0, 50.0 and 60.0 cm.
..........................................................................................................................................................

Factors affecting d:
..........................................................................................................................................................

- focal length of the converging lens and the limit of the ruler used.
..........................................................................................................................................................
© UCLES 2016 0625/63/M/J/16
 9

Precaution:
..........................................................................................................................................................

- Perform experiment in a dark room

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

- Look perpendicular to scale to avoid line of sight error

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

- Use transparent/paper screen and measure height from other side so you don't
..........................................................................................................................................................

block the light while measuring.

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

- Repeat and take average.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

......................................................................................................................................................[7]

[Total: 7]

© UCLES 2016 0625/63/M/J/16 [Turn over

 12

4 A student is investigating resistors connected in parallel.

The following apparatus is available to the student:

ammeter
voltmeter
power supply
variable resistor
switch
connecting leads
a box of identical resistors.

Plan an experiment to investigate how the combined resistance of the resistors, connected in
parallel, depends on the number of resistors.

You should:

• draw a diagram of the circuit you could use to determine the resistance of resistors connected
in parallel (show only two resistors in your diagram),

• explain briefly how you would carry out the investigation,

• draw a table or tables, with column headings, to show how you would display your readings.
You are not required to enter any readings into the table.

A
x y

1) connect circuit as shown with resistors in parallel connected between points

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

x and y.
..........................................................................................................................................................
© UCLES 2016 0625/61/O/N/16
 13

2) start with two resistors in parallel and record the readings on the voltmeter V/V
..........................................................................................................................................................

and the ammeter I/A.

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

3) calculate the combined resistance R of the resistors using the equation R = V/I.
..........................................................................................................................................................

4) record your readings and results in the following table:

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

number of resistors V/V I/A R/Ω

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

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

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

5) Repeat the procedure with 3, 4, 5 and 6 resistors in parallel.

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

6) plot a graph of R/Ω (y-axis) against number of resistors (x-axis).

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

Precautions:
..........................................................................................................................................................

- Switch off the current between different readings and allow the wires to cool.
..........................................................................................................................................................

or
..........................................................................................................................................................

- repeat experiment with different voltage supply.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

..........................................................................................................................................................
[7]

[Total: 7]

© UCLES 2016 0625/61/O/N/16 [Turn over

 8

4 A student is investigating whether using a lid reduces the time taken to heat a beaker of water to
boiling point.

The student has the following apparatus available:

thermometer
250 cm3 glass beaker
250 cm3 measuring cylinder
heatproof mat
lid to fit the beaker
clamp, boss and stand.

Plan an experiment to investigate whether using a lid reduces the heating time.

You should

• list the additional apparatus that you would require

• explain briefly how you would carry out the investigation

• state the key variables that you would control

• draw a table, with column headings, to show how you would display your readings; you are
not required to enter any readings in the table

• explain how you would use your readings to reach a conclusion.

A diagram is not required but you may draw a diagram if it helps your explanation.

electric
heater

1) use the measuring cylinder to measure a certain volume of water and pour it
..........................................................................................................................................................

in the beaker.
..........................................................................................................................................................

© UCLES 2016 0625/62/O/N/16

 9

2) set up apparatus as shown and record the initial temperature at time t = 0s.
..........................................................................................................................................................

3) switch on the heater and start a stopwatch.

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

4) record temperature θ from thermometer every 30s until the temperature stops
..........................................................................................................................................................

changing and two more readings to make sure the water is boiling.
..........................................................................................................................................................

5) record your results in the following table:

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

without lid with lid

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

t/s θ/°C θ/°C

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

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

6) plot a graph of θ/°C (y-axis) against t/s (x-axis).

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

7) allow the beaker to cool then repeat the above procedure with a lid covering
..........................................................................................................................................................

the beaker.
..........................................................................................................................................................

The beaker that reaches a constant temperature in the shortest time is the fastes
..........................................................................................................................................................

to reach oiling point.

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

Precautions:
..........................................................................................................................................................

use same volume of water in both experiments

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

use same initial temperature.

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

use same time intervals

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

use electric heater of constant power and same heater in both experiments.
..........................................................................................................................................................

use insulating matt around the beaker to reduce heat loss.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

......................................................................................................................................................[7]

[Total: 7]
© UCLES 2016 0625/62/O/N/16 [Turn over
 11

4 A student has noticed that different types of paper have different strengths.

Plan an experiment which will enable you to compare the strengths of different samples of thin
paper, prepared as shown in Fig. 4.1.

wooden block

adhesive tape thin paper

hook

Fig. 4.1

Write a plan for the experiment, including:

• the additional apparatus needed

• instructions for carrying out the experiment, including any precautions you will take

• what you will measure

• how you will present your results

• how you will determine which paper is the strongest

• the variables you will keep the same to ensure the comparison is a fair test.

You may draw a diagram if it helps to explain your plan.

stand clamped paper

to the
bench

newton meter

1) setup apparatus as shown in the diagram with the firs type of paper.
..........................................................................................................................................................

2) pull the newton meter gradually while monitoring its reading.

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

© UCLES 2016 0625/63/O/N/16 [Turn over

 12

3) record the reading on the newton meter when the paper tears apart.
..........................................................................................................................................................

4) repeat the procedure with the same type of paper four more time and
..........................................................................................................................................................

calculate the average force F that causes the paper to tear.

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

5) Repeat the above steps for different types of paper.

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

To make sure it's a fair comparison use samples of paper of identical dimensions
..........................................................................................................................................................

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

..................................................................................................................................................... [7]

[Total: 7]

Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every reasonable
effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the publisher will
be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge International
Examinations Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download at www.cie.org.uk after
the live examination series.

Cambridge International Examinations is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of Cambridge Local
Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.

© UCLES 2016 0625/63/O/N/16