Exam code: H556
Which reduces the systematic error in the measurement?
Zeroing a digital caliper before taking a measurement
Using a laser rangefinder to measure the length from a distance
Comparing measurements from a steel ruler at different temperatures
Measuring an object's length multiple times and calculating the average
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A student conducts an experiment to investigate the relationship between the initial horizontal velocity (v) and the horizontal distance traveled (x) by a metal ball in projectile motion.
Which of the following precautions should the student take to ensure both accuracy and safety?
Wearing a lab coat and safety goggles
Using a calibrated measuring tape
Maintaining a clear and unobstructed landing area
Observing the experiment from a distance with binoculars
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A student determines the period of a simple pendulum by timing 20 complete oscillations with a stopwatch. A fiducial marker, a fixed reference mark, is used to decide when to start and stop the timing.
Where should the fiducial marker be placed to make the timing as accurate as possible?
at the point of suspension, where the string is held in the clamp
at the centre of the swing, directly below the point of suspension
at one end of the swing, where the bob is momentarily at rest
at any point along the swing, provided the same point is used each time
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Four students each made a series of measurements of the density of water .
Which set of results could be described as precise but not accurate?
| Results , kg m−3 | |||
A | 960 | 950 | 900 | 910 |
B | 997.1 | 996 | 996.9 | 997 |
C | 800 | 800.1 | 801.1 | 799 |
D | 800 | 600 | 500 | 400 |
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A student investigates the behavior of mercury inside a narrow tube, as shown.
It has been suggested that the relationship between L and x is as follows
A graph is plotted between L (y-axis) and (x-axis).
What would be the equation of the gradient?
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A student plans an experiment to determine the acceleration of free fall g. A steel ball is released from rest and falls through a vertical height of 0.80 m.
In a first attempt, the student measures the time t for the fall using a hand-held stopwatch with a resolution of 0.01 s. The value of t is about 0.4 s.
Which change would most improve the accuracy of the measured value of t?
using a hand-held stopwatch with a resolution of 0.001 s instead of 0.01 s
using an electromagnet and a trapdoor switch to start and stop an electronic timer
repeating the measurement five times with the stopwatch and calculating the mean
placing a single light gate, connected to a data-logger, at the bottom of the fall
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A student investigates how the frequency f of the fundamental mode of vibration of a stretched string depends on the tension in the string.
One end of the string passes over a pulley and supports a hanging mass. The tension in the string is equal to the weight of the hanging mass. A vibration transducer, connected to a signal generator, drives the string. For each hanging mass, the student adjusts the frequency of the signal generator until the string vibrates in its fundamental mode.
Which quantities must the student keep constant?
the length of the string between the vibration transducer and the pulley
the hanging mass
the material and diameter of the string
1, 2 and 3
Only 1 and 2
Only 1 and 3
Only 1
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A student uses a laser and a diffraction grating to determine the wavelength of the laser light. The grating is labelled 600 lines per mm.
Before using the equation , the student needs the grating spacing d in metres.
What is the value of d?
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The radius of an atom is 0.1 nm and the radius of a nucleus is 0.01 pm. The volume of the atom and nucleus is written Vatom and Vnucleus respectively.
What is the value of the ratio ?
1 × 108
1 × 104
1 × 1012
1 × 10−4
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An experiment was conducted where a monochromatic light was shone at varying angles on an air-glass boundary. The results were used to determine the critical angle C of glass.
The table below shows the recordings of the angle of incidence i and the angle of reflection r.
Angle of incidence, i / ° | Angle of refraction, r / ° | |
Reading 1 | 60 | 40 |
Reading 2 | 66 | 40 |
Reading 3 | 63 | 31 |
Mean | 63 | 37 |
Given that the known value for the refractive index n of glass is 1.50, which one of the following statements is true?
The results give an accurate measurement for the critical angle C
The results are precise
The dependent variable is the critical angle
The independent variable is the angle of refraction
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An experiment is conducted to determine the specific heat capacity of a solid copper block. The copper block is attached to a voltmeter, ammeter and power supply. A thermometer is inserted inside the block and time intervals are recorded during the experiment.
Which statement is true?
The independent variable is time and the dependent variable is voltage
The dependent variable is time, the independent variables are voltage, current and temperature, and the control variable is the power from the supply
The independent variable is the work done by the power supply, the dependent variable is temperature, and the control variable is the power from the supply
The independent variable is the power from the supply, the dependent variables are voltage and temperature, and the control variable is time
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An experiment is performed to determine the resistivity of a single thin wire connected to a constant power supply.
Which of the following is true?
A metre ruler is the best tool to determine the thickness of the wire
Repeating the experiment with several lengths of wire will reduce systematic error
Safety goggles should be worn in case the wire gets too hot
The independent variable is the length of the wire
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