ALTERNATIVE TO PRACTICAL PART 2

1. A student is comparing the oscillations of two pendulums. Fig. 1.1 shows the first pendulum.

(a) (i) On Fig. 1.1, measure the distance d, from the bottom of the clamp to the bottom of the bob.

d = .....................................................cm [1]

(ii) Fig. 1.1 is drawn 1/10th actual size. Calculate the actual distance D from the bottom of the
clamp to the bottom of the bob.

D = .....................................................cm [1]

(iii) Explain briefly how to use a set-square to avoid a parallax (line-of-sight) error when
measuring the length of this pendulum. You may draw a diagram.
 .....................................................................................................................................................

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

(b) The student displaces the bob slightly and releases it so that it swings. She measures the time t
for 20 complete oscillations. The time t is shown on the stopwatch in Fig. 1.2.

(i) Write down the time t shown in Fig. 1.2.

t = ...........................................................[1]

(ii) Calculate the period T1 of the pendulum. The period is the time for one complete
oscillation.

T1 = ...........................................................[2]

(c) The student repeats the procedure using another pendulum as shown in Fig. 1.3. This has a long,
thin pendulum bob. The distance D from the bottom of the clamp to the bottom of the
pendulum bob is the same as for the first pendulum.
 She determines the period T2 of this pendulum. 1.37s

T2 = ..................... 1.37s ..............................

In this experiment, both pendulum bobs have the same mass. A student suggests that since both
pendulums have the same overall length D and mass, the periods T1 and T2 should be equal.
State whether the results support this suggestion. Justify your answer by reference to the
results.

statement ..........................................................................................................................................

justification ………..............................................................................................................................

………...................................................................................................................................................

…….................................................................................................................................................[2]

(d) The period T of a pendulum can be determined by measuring the time t for 20 complete
oscillations and then calculating the period. Some students are asked to explain the reason for
this method being more accurate than measuring the time taken for a single oscillation.

Tick the box next to the sentence that gives the best explanation.

(e) A student plans to carry out more pendulum experiments. He considers possible variables and
precautions to improve accuracy.

In the following list, mark the possible variables with the letter V and the precautions with the
letter P
2. A student investigates the balancing of a metre rule. Fig. 1.1 shows the arrangement.

(a) The student places the metre rule on the pivot at the 50.0cm mark. He places an object Q on the
metre rule with its centre at the 90.0cm mark. He places a load of weight P = 2.0N on the metre
rule and adjusts the position of the load so that the metre rule is as near as possible to being
balanced.

He measures the distance x from the centre of the load to the pivot.

He repeats the procedure using loads of weight P = 3.0N, 4.0N, 5.0N and 6.0N. All the values of P
and x are recorded in Table 1.1.

1
Calculate, and record in Table 1.1, the values of . [2]
𝑋
 1 1
(b) Plot a graph of P/N (y-axis) against 𝑋 /𝑐𝑚 cm (x-axis). Start both axes at the origin (0,0)

1
(c) In this experiment, xmax , the maximum possible value for x is 50.0cm. Calculate 𝑋𝑚𝑎𝑥.

1 1
𝑋𝑚𝑎𝑥
= ..................................................... 𝑐𝑚

Use the graph to determine the minimum value of P required to balance the metre rule in this
experiment. Show clearly on the graph how you determined this value.

minimum value of P = ..................................................... [2]

(d) In this experiment, the width of object Q is slightly greater than the width of the metre rule.
Explain briefly how you would place the object Q as accurately as possible on the 90.0cm mark
of the metre rule. You may draw a diagram.
 ...........................................................................................................................................................

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

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

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

(e) In this experiment, it is difficult to determine the exact position of the load that will make the
metre rule balance.

(i) Explain briefly why this is difficult.

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

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

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

(ii) Explain briefly how you would find the best position of the load that will make the metre
rule balance.

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

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

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

[Total: 11]

3. A student is investigating how partly covering the surface of the water in a beaker affects the rate at
which the water cools.

The apparatus used is shown in Fig. 1.1.

(a)
 Record the room temperature θR, shown on the thermometer in Fig. 1.2.

θR = ......................................................... [1]

(b) The student pours 100cm3 of hot water into a beaker. She places lid A on the beaker. This leaves
half of the water surface uncovered, as shown in Fig. 1.3.

She records the temperature of the water in the beaker and immediately starts a stopclock.
She records the temperature θ of the water every 30s. Her readings are shown in Table 1.1.
She repeats the procedure using lid B. This leaves a quarter of the water surface uncovered, as
shown in Fig. 1.4.

Complete the headings and the time t column in Table 1.1. [2]

(c) Describe a precaution that should be taken to ensure that the temperature readings are as
accurate as possible in the experiment.
 ………...................................................................................................................................................

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

(d) (i) Write a conclusion to this experiment, stating for which lid the rate of cooling is greater.

Explain your answer by reference to the results.

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

………............................................................................................................................................

………............................................................................................................................................

………....................................................................................................................................... [2]

(ii) Suggest a change to the apparatus that could produce a greater difference between the
rates of cooling for lid A and lid B.

Explain why the change might produce a greater difference. change

……………………...............................................................................................................................

………............................................................................................................................................

explanation ………........................................................................................................................

…............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(e) A student suggests that the rate of cooling is directly proportional to the percentage of the
uncovered surface area. He wants to draw a graph of cooling rate against the percentage of
uncovered area to investigate this.

Describe how his graph line will show whether the rate of cooling and the percentage of
uncovered surface area are directly proportional.

………...................................................................................................................................................

……….............................................................................................................................................. [2]

(f) Students in other countries carry out the same experiment. Suggest one factor that they should
keep the same if they are to obtain similar readings.

………...................................................................................................................................................
……….............................................................................................................................................. [1]
[Total: 11]