ATP REVISION

1. The diameter of a ball bearing is measured four times. The measurements are
0.27 mm, 0.29 mm, 0.25 mm, 0.26 mm.
How should the average value be stated?

A 0.2675 mm C 0.27 mm

B 0.268 mm D 0.3 mm

4π2 l
2 . The acceleration of free fall g is determined by the relationship . The percentage uncertainty
t2
in the value of l is 2 % and the percentage uncertainty in the value of t is 5 %.
What is the percentage uncertainty in g?

A. 3% B. 7 % C. 8 % D. 12 %

3. The graph shows the relationship between two quantities p and q.

The gradient of the graph is r and the intercept on the p axis is s.

0
0 q

Which of the following is the correct relationship between p and q?

A. p = sq + r

B. p = rq + s

C. p = rq − s

D. p = rs + q

4. Which of the following is the correct unit for resistivity?

A 
B 
C –1
D –2
5. Which of the following is the correct way of connecting an ammeter and of connecting a voltmeter in
a circuit designed to measure the characteristics of a thermistor?

Ammeter Voltmeter
A. in series with thermistor in series with thermistor

B. in parallel with thermistor in series with thermistor

C. in series with thermistor in parallel with thermistor

D. in parallel with thermistor in parallel with thermistor

6. The uncertainty in the value of resistance of a particular resistor is 10% and the uncertainty in
the value of the current in the resistor is 3%. The best estimate for the uncertainty of the
Power dissipated in the resistor is

A. 6%. B. 9%. C. 16%. D. 19%.

7. The time period T of oscillation of a mass m suspended from a vertical spring is given by the
expression
m
T = 2π
k

where k is a constant. Which one of the following plots will give rise to a straight-line graph?

2
A. T against m

B. T against m

C. T against m

D. T against m

8. An object has an acceleration of 2.0 m s− 2 . Which of the following gives the change in the
Speed of the object after 7.00 s to the correct number of significant digits?
−1 −
A. 14 m s B. 14.0 m s 1

−1 −
C. 14.00 m s D. 14.000 m s1
9 A student takes the following readings of the diameter of a wire

1.52 mm , 1.47 mm , 1.48 mm, 1.51 mm, 1.48 mm

Which of the following is the best way to express the diameter of the wire with suitable uncertainty?

A 1.49 ± 0.01 mm B 1.49 ± 0.02 mm

C 1.49 ± 0.03 mm D 1.492 ± 0.025 mm

10 The current, I, through a resistor is measured with a digital ammeter to be 0.10 A.

2
The uncertainty in the calculated value of 𝐼 will be

A 1 %. B 2 %. C 5 %. D 20 %.

11 A student measures the time t for a ball to fall from rest through a vertical distance h. Knowing that
the equation h = ½ g t 2 applies, the student plots the graph shown.

Which of the following is an explanation for the intercept on the t - axis?

A Air resistance has not been taken into account for larger values of h.
B There is a constant delay between starting the timer and releasing the ball.
C There is an error in the timer that consistently makes it run fast.
D The student should have plotted h against t 2 .
12 The resistance of an electrical component is measured. The following meter readings are obtained.

The resistance of the component is

A 2.5 Ω B 2.7 Ω C 2500 Ω D 2700 Ω

13 A small metal block is suspended from a spring balance at a depth h below the surface of a liquid
in a large beaker.

Which of the following statements is/are true?

I . The reading on the sprig balance depends on the density of the liquid in the beaker.

II . The reading on the sprig balance is equal to the weight of the metal block.

III . The reading on the sprig balance will increase as the depth h is increased.

A I only C III only

B I and III only D II and III only

14. The photograph shows a laboratory machine for illustrating a transverse wave. Beside the
machine is a rule.

The best value of wavelength of this wave, in cm, is

A 1.2 C 13.4

B 7.0 D 14.0

15. A student checks the diameter of a ball bearing to verify the manufacturer’s value. He
records the following values:

5.1 mm, 5.0 mm, 5.0 mm

(i) the average value should be recorded as

A 5.0 mm

B 5.03 mm

C 5.033 mm

D 5.1 mm

(ii) The manufacturer’s value for the diameter is 5.4 mm. This suggests

A the student carrying out these measurements made random errors

B the equipment used had a systematic error

C the student needed to take more measurements with the same piece of
equipment

D the equipment was not able to read better than 0.1 mm

16. Astudent carried out an experiment to investigate how the resistance of a coil made from iron wire
varied as its temperature changed. In the experiment, a constant potential difference of 2.00Vwas
maintained across the coil as the student measured the current through it at various temperatures.

(a) The results are shown in the table.

temperature θ/ °C p.d. across the current / mA resistance R / Ω

coil / V
10 2.00 790

20 2.00 740

35 2.00 680

50 2.00 620

65 2.00 590

80 2.00 550

The resistance, R,of a metal wire varies with temperature according to the equation

R = R 0 (1+ αθ )

where R 0 is the resistance of the wire at 0°C, θ is the temperature of the wire in °C, and α is a
constant which depends on the material from which the wire is made.
(i) Complete the table to show the value of the resistance, R,of the iron coil at each
(1)
temperature.

(ii) Use the data to plot a graph in the next page to confirm the equation. (4)
(b) (i) Use your graph to determine the value of the resistance of the coil at 0°C (R0 ).

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(ii) Use your graph to determine the value of the constant α and state its unit.

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(5 marks)

(c) Explain why the resistance of a metal wire changes when its temperature is increased.

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(2 marks)

(Total 12 Marks)
17. A student performed a fi rst-hand investigation to examine projectile motion.

A ball resting on a horizontal table was given an initial push at X, resulting in the ball
following the path XYZ as shown.

A data logger used the motion sensor to measure the horizontal distance to the ball.
When the ball was at position Y,adistance of 1.50m from the motion sensor,it left
the edge of the table.

In the fi rst trial,the range was 0.60m. The graph below was obtained from the data
logger.

2.0

1.5
Distance (m)

1.0

0.5

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
Time (s)
18.When a paper cake-case falls, right way up, through the air, it quickly reaches terminal velocity.

The Viscous drag, D, acting on the paper cake-case, is given by

2
D= f ρAν

where ρ is the density of air (known to be 1.2kgm–3 ), ν is the terminal velocity and A is the
cross-sectional area of the base of the cake-case; f is a number (having no units) called the
shape factor. Regardless of their size, paper cake-cases always have the same shape factor,
even when several are stacked together.

Design an experiment to determine the shape factor for empty paper cake-cases.You should assume
that the normal laboratory apparatus used in schools and colleges is available to you.
(Ignore the effect of Upthrust on the cake-case)

You should also include the following in your answer:

(a) The quantities you intend to measure and how you will measure them. (4)

(b) How to use your measurements to determine the values of v, A and D (3)

(c) The main sources of uncertainty in the experiment and the measures you take to reduce
these uncertainties. (2)
(d) How a more accurate value of shape factor can be found by Graphical method. (2)

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19. The apparatus shown in Figure is set up to measure the speed of transverse
waves on a stretched string.

signal stationary wave pattern

generator stretched
string
vibration generator

mass

The following data are obtained.

Distance between adjacent nodes = (0 . 150 ± 0. 005) m

Frequency of signal generator = (250 ± 10) Hz

1.
(a) Show that the wave speed is 75 ms– (1)
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(b) Calculate the percentage uncertainties in the values for the above measurements.
Hence calculate the percentage uncertainty in the value of wave speed v. (3)

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(c) (i) In an attempt to reduce the absolute uncertainty, the frequency of the
signal generator is increased to (500 ± 10) Hz. Explain why this will
not result in a reduced uncertainty of v. (1)

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(ii) State how the uncertainty in wave speed could be reduced. (1)

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(Total 6 marks)
20 student traces the path of a narrow beam of light through a transparent plastic block, and measures
the angles θa and θp (see diagram). She repeats the measurements for various chosen values of
θp, and her results are plotted below.

transparent
plastic block
θa
θp

θ a /° 90
80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
θ p /°

(a) Draw a curve of best fit. (1)

(b) Without calculation, use the graph to obtain a value for the critical angle
of the plastic. (1)

critical angle =
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 (c) Continue the light path on the diagram below , to show what would happen if the student
had selected an angle θp which was greater than the critical angle. (1)

θp

(d) Use data from any one of the plotted points on the graph to calculate a value for the
refractive index, µ, of the plastic. (2)
-01-0

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(e) The actual value of µ for plastic used in the experiment is 1.42. Calculate the
percentage difference in the value of µ obtained by the student. (2)
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(f) (i) Describe the line of best fit you would expect if sin θa were plotted on the y axis
against sin θp . (1)

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(ii) how would you find µ from this graph? (1)

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21 The apparatus shown below may be used to investigate waves on strings.

(a) By varying setting on the signal generator, a standing wave with 3 antinodes may be set up on
the string.
(i) In the space below draw a diagram to show how the string would look when this standing
wave is set up (Note: There is no need to draw vibrator or pulley). (1)

(ii) Calculate the wavelength of the wave you have drawn (1)

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(b) The following data were collected during the experiment

f / Hz 8.6 16 25 35 42 52 62 69

No. of antinodes, n 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

The frequency of the signal generator can be written as

v xn
f = 2L

Where v is the velocity of the wave,

L is the length of the wire,
n is no. of antinodes.
By means of plotting a suitable graph, find the velocity of waves on the string. (6)

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Velocity of waves on the string =

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 22. The diagram shows apparatus that may be used to obtain a value for the Young modulus of material
in the form of a long wire. A known load W is attached to one end of the wire.
The extension x of the wire is measured using the pointer and a metre rule.

secure long wire pointer

clamp

known load, W

table metre
rule

(a) To obtain a value for the Young modulus, two more measurements must be made.
State what these measurements are and suggest suitable measuring instument for each
measurement.
(4)
Measurement 1 : ....................................................................................................................................................................................

Instrument : ....................................................................................................................................................................................

Measurement 2 : ....................................................................................................................................................................................
Instrument :
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(b) State two experimental precautions you would take in order to achieve accuracy. (2)

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(c) State one safety precaution you would take during the experiment. (1)

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 (d) The following sketch graph represents the results obtained from such an experiment.

Load W/ N

Extension x/ m

Explain how you would use an accurately drawn graph of force against extension, as
well as other measurements you have made, to obtain a value for the Young modulus of
the meterial. (3)

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23. A group of students carries out an experiment to find how the horizontal range of a ball depends on
the angle of launch, θ.
They use a projectile launcher as shown.

range
 The results are shown in the table.

Angle of launch, θ (°) Range (m)

20 1·55
30 1·64
40 1·63
50 1·43
60 1·18
70 0·95

(a) Using the grid provided, draw a graph of these results. (4)
 (b) (i) Usee your graph to estimate the angle of launch that produces the maximum range of
the ball. (1)
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(ii) State how the value for the maximum range of the ball would change if the experiment was
conducted in the absence of air resistance. (1)

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(c) Using the same apparatus, the students now wish to determine more precisely the angle of
launch that produces the maximum range.

Suggest two improvements to the experimental procedure that would achieve this. (2)

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(d) Describe further experimental work using the same apparatus that could be carried out to
investigate another factor that may affect the horizontal range of a projectile. (2)

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24. The resistivity ρ of a material can be calculated using the formula

R =ρ l where R is resistance, l is length and A is area of cross-section.

A
(a) (i) Draw a circuit diagram to show how the resistance of this piece of wire could be
measured using ammeter and voltmeter. (2)
 (ii) Write a brief account of how you would perform the experiment to measure the
resistance of this piece of wire accurately. (2)

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(b) (i) In order for the resistivity to be determined, it is necessary to find two other quantities.
Table below shows these quantities. Complete the table with the name of an appropriate
instrument to measure the quantity.
State the uncertainty associated with measurements made with each instrument.

Quantity to be Instrument to Uncertainty in (4)

measured measure quantity measurement
Length of wire

Diameter of wire

(ii) It is more important to measure the diameter of the wire accurately than either the resistance
or the length of the wire.
Explain why this quantity has a greater influence on the uncertainty in the calculated value
for resistivity.
(2)
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25. A student wishes to design an experiment to compare the viscosity of two different types
of engine oil. He only needs to decide which oil is more viscous. He does not need to
measure their viscosities.

(a) Describe a simple experiment to achieve this aim.

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(2)

(b) State one variable you would have to keep constant in order to make this a fair test.

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(1)

(c) Suggest why it would be better to use the oil of lower viscosity to lubricate engines
in vehicles used in a polar expedition.

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26. A student needs to determine the thickness of a coin. Describe an accurate method of
achieving this.

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(Total 4 marks)
27. A student wishes to investigate how the speed of a wave along a slinky spring varies with
the tension in the spring. She stretches the spring over a fixed distance. She then flicks
the spring to produce a wave pulse and times how long the pulse takes to travel from one
end to the other. She also measures the tension in the spring with a spring balance.

The student then increases the tension by reducing the number of coils of the slinky
spring in the same fixed distance and repeats her measurements. She continues to repeat
this procedure until she has several different sets of results of tension and timing for the
wave.

(a) State how the student will calculate the speed of the wave from her results.

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(1)

(b) State two improvements you could make to increase the accuracy of the time
measurements.

1 ....................................................................................................................................

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

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(2)