ASPhysicsOCRExam Questions1. Development of Practical Skills in PhysicsExperimental Design

Experimental Design (OCR AS Physics): Exam Questions

Exam code: H156

38 mins12 questions

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Experimental Design

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1
1 mark

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

Choose your answer

2
1 mark

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

Choose your answer

1
1 mark

Four students each made a series of measurements of the density of water ρwater.

Which set of results could be described as precise but not accurate?

 

Results ρwater, 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

    Choose your answer

    2
    1 mark

    A student investigates the behavior of mercury inside a narrow tube, as shown.

    1-1-mcq-m-q5-ocr-al-physics

    It has been suggested that the relationship between L and x is as follows

    L=4σxρg

    A graph is plotted between L (y-axis) and  (x-axis).

    What would be the equation of the gradient?

    • σxρg

    • 4σg

    • 4σxρg

    • 4σρg

    Choose your answer

    1
    1 mark

    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 VatomVnucleus?

    • 1 × 108

    • 1 × 104

    • 1 × 1012

    • 1 × 10−4

    Choose your answer

    2
    1 mark

    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

    Choose your answer

    3
    1 mark

    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

    Choose your answer

    4
    1 mark

    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

    Choose your answer