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MS L3 Graph Skills

The document describes an experiment to measure the extension of two identical springs under varying loads, detailing the procedure for measuring extension and calculating the spring constant k. It includes instructions for plotting a graph of extension against mass, determining the gradient, and calculating uncertainties. Additionally, it provides a mark scheme for evaluating responses to the experiment's questions.

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jackrirwin10
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24 views4 pages

MS L3 Graph Skills

The document describes an experiment to measure the extension of two identical springs under varying loads, detailing the procedure for measuring extension and calculating the spring constant k. It includes instructions for plotting a graph of extension against mass, determining the gradient, and calculating uncertainties. Additionally, it provides a mark scheme for evaluating responses to the experiment's questions.

Uploaded by

jackrirwin10
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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1(a). Fig. 3.1 shows an experiment to investigate the extension of two identical springs connected side by side.

A
student uses a 30 cm ruler to measure the length L 0 of the two-spring combination without a load attached.

Fig. 3.1

The student then adds a rod and a mass M to the spring combination as shown in Fig. 3.2.

Fig. 3.2

The student then repeats the experiment for different values of M. For each value of M, the student determines
the extension x of the spring combination and the absolute uncertainty in x.

The student plots a graph of extension x (y-axis) against mass M (x-axis) including error bars in x. The straight
line of best fit is drawn.

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It is suggested that the relationship between x and M is

where k is the force constant of the spring combination, g is the acceleration of free fall and R is a constant.

i. Show that the gradient of the straight line of best fit is about 0.12 m kg −1.

[2]

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page.
ii. Using the gradient, determine a value for k.
Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures and include an appropriate unit.

k = ............................. unit ................. [2]

(b).

i. Draw a worst acceptable straight line.

[1]

ii. Determine the gradient of your worst acceptable line.

gradient of worst acceptable line = ............................................................ m kg −1 [1]

iii. Determine the percentage uncertainty in k.

percentage uncertainty = ............................................................ % [2]

END OF QUESTION PAPER

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page.
Mark scheme
Question Answer/Indicative content Marks Guidance

points on the line read to the nearest half


B1 Allow Δy for y2 – y1 and Δx for x2 – x1
square
1 a i
size of triangle is greater than half the length of
B1 Δx ≥ 0.1625
the drawn line and Δy / Δx

Allow ECF from (a)(i)


C1

ii
Allow 81.8 N m−1
82 N m−1 given to 2 or 3 significant figures A1 Note POT must be correct for given unit
Allow kg s–2

steepest or shallowest line that passes through


b i B1
all the error bars

gradient determined: 0.10 m kg−1 or 0.13 m


ii B1 Allow ECF from (b)(i)
kg−1

Δgradient (0.13 - 0.12 or 0.12 - 0.10) Allow ECF from (b)(i) and (ii)

C1

or 17% Not 10% without justification

A1
Examiner’s Comments
iii OR In this question, most candidates clearly
Δk (82 – 75 or 98-82) identified the points on the line that were to be
C1
used for the gradient calculation. High
achieving candidates clearly showed their
A1
working when determining the percentage
or 20% uncertainty.

Total 8

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page.

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