CAL Physics

A2 Physics Paper 5> Planning question -GUIDE

A. Intro:
15 marks (30 min)

B. Scope of the past design questions

1. Mechanical – extension of wire, terminal velocity, acceleration, stationary wave on string
measurements
2. Sound – amplitude, intensity, frequency of transmitted/ reflected wave, wavelength of
stationary sound wave in different media
3. Light – amplitude, intensity, frequency of transmitted/ reflected wave, wavelength of
stationary microwaves in different media
4. Electric circuits – e.m.f., voltage, current, resistance, power … of a source ( e.g. photocell,
battery) or of a device (e.g. motor, LDR)…
5. Heating process – how other parameters (e.g. magnetism, extension of wire, expansion of water)
vary with temperature
6. Radioactive – penetration range, absorption, deflection angle in magnetic field
radiation
7. Magnetism – movement/ oscillation of two magnetic items (bar magnets, current-carrying
conductors), variation of magnetic field strength with other parameters
(distance, temperature)

D. Quantities & measuring device

Physical quantities Measurement
Length Length or distance  Metre rule
Small length, e.g. extension  Vernier caliper, travelling microscope, pointer with
scale
Diameter of a wire or tube  Micrometer screw gauge (measure > 3 times at
different places and direction, then take the
average)

External diameter of a tube  Micrometer screw gauge

 Traveling microscope (measure in few different
directions, take the average)

Internal diameter of a tube  Traveling microscope (measure in few different

directions, take the average)

Time Time  Stopwatch

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Short time interval  Stroboscopic photography (camera, stroboscope

and background scale. The time for each
1
photograph is given by f where f is frequency
of the stroboscope)
 Two light- gates + electronic timer
 Period of a pulse: Cathode ray oscilloscope
(C.R.O) with calibrated time base on. Distance
between two signals = d. calibrated time base = T
per unit length. The time interval between the two
signals =Td

Mass Mass  Top-pan balance, triple balance

 Measure volume V with measuring cylinder
(water displacement) if density  is known the m =
V
Volume Volume  Measuring cylinder
 Using formula,eg V= l x b x h
Volume flow rate of liquid  Measuring cylinder + stopwatch

Density Density of liquid  Hydrometer

 Measure mass using a balance, measure volume
using measuring cylinder then  = m/V

Density of solid  Measure mass using a balance, immerse the solid

into a eureka can and water displaced is measured
with a measuring cylinder  = m/V

Angle Angle  Protractor

Angle of incident light  Spectrometer table with glass sheet

Angle that is difficult to measure  The apparatus is projected by light on a screen or

wall, then the associated angle is measured by a
protractor from the shadow.
x
 Use tan θ = y …..in diffraction grating

Linear motion Velocity,  Stroboscopic photography (camera, stroboscope

terminal velocity, and background scale)
acceleration v = distance btwn 2 images/time

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 Two light-gates + electronic timer. Distance

between light-gates s is measured with metre rule.
v = s/t

Force Force, tension  Newton meter (i.e. spring balance)

 Top pan balance
 Weight of standard calibrated mass

Temperature Temperature  mercury-in-glass thermometer (normal -10 oC to

100oC)
Fast changing temperature at  thermocouple
temperature at small spot
Temperature in remote area  thermocouple

Humidity humidity  Hygrometer

Electricity Current  Ammeter

Small current  Milli-ammeter, micrometer
Potential difference, e.m.f  Voltmeter, C.R.O (measure the height of vertical
trace on screen, peak-to-peak voltage / 2)

Resistance  Voltmeter, ammeter R=V/I

 Ohmmeter
Power of a resistor,  Measure I & V across R. P = VI
Input power of motor

Output power of motor Use motor to raise a load. Measure height raised.
Measure time . use mgh /t

Power dissipated Use P = V I or I2R or V2/R.

Sound Intensity of sound  Microphone + C.R.O measure height vertical trace

on the screen Vpp with time-base off, calibrated
I ' V pp '
=
I o V pp
with a known intensity Io : o
Measure a known Io, reading = Vppo
Then, measure an unknown I’, reading = Vpp’

Frequency of sound  Read value from calibrated signal generator,

 Microphone + C.R.O with calibrated time-base on,
f = 1/T
Wavelength of sound  Produce stationary sound waves btwn generator &

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reflector
 Detect location of zero amplitude using C.R.O. with
time base off
 Measure distance between two nodes = /2

Speed of sound  Read frequency from the calibrated signal

generator. Determine  using stationary wave
method then v = f 

Water waves Speed of ripple waves on  Frequency of vibrator= freq of waves

surface of water
 Use light to project image of ripple waves on a
screen on floor.Use stroboscope to freeze the
ripple waves then measure the wavelength, λ
 Use v = f  .

Light Light intensity  Light meter

 Light-dependent resistor (LDR) + ohmmeter (as
intensity of light increases, resistance of LDR
decreases. LDR needs to be calibrated earlier with
I ' R'
=
a known intensity Io) I o Ro

Magnetic field Magnetic flux density  Calibrated Hall probe (broad surface of
strength (magnetic flux strength) semiconductor wafer of Hall probe is perpendicular
to the magnetic field B , p.d. V is measured with
voltmeter)
B' V '
=
Calibration: Bo V o
 Precaution:Remove all magnetic materials near
apparatus

Radioactivity Penetration range  Background reading – measured in the absence of

radioactive source, to be deducted from all
measured count rates.
 Move GM tube away from the source until the
reading = background reading count rate from
ratemeter.
 Measure distance between GM and source with
metre rule

Detect a selected radiation  Use paper or/and Al sheet to filter

 Use source with longer half life for more consistent
activity of radiation

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Count-rate Geiger-Muller tube + scalar/ ratemeter

Pressure Air Pressure gauge

Liquid Use p = h ρ g

E. Manipulating the variables

Purpose Techniques
1. To vary temperature and Heating liquids:
taking reading at a Immersion heater + stirrer + thermometer
steady temperature (i.e.
thermal equilibrium) Heating solids in air:
oven + thermostat + thermometer OR
Enclosure + heater + thermostat + thermometer or

Heating solids in a liquid:

Water/oil bath + Immersion heater + stirrer + thermometer

Remove the heating source and allow a longer time for thermal equilibrium
before reading is taken.

2. To produce sound Signal generator + speaker (freq read from SG)

To detect sound Microphone + C.R.O (read amplitude and period from CRO)

3. To produce light Photodiode or laser or bulb with lens to produce narrow beam
To detect light Lightmeter or LDR with electric circuit

4. To vary pressure Use a vacuum pump to pump out/ in air.

Conduct in a rigid enclosure. Measured by a pressure gauge

5. To produce tension A set of masses which is attached to one end of a string

6. To produce humidity A bucket of water + heater , in an enclosure

7. To reduce friction Use smooth pulley (apply lubricant), wheels, rollers

8. To produce p.d / Power supply unit,battery

supply current

9. To change current Rheostat

10. To change p.d. Variable power supply

Potential divider
11. To produce vibration Tuning fork /speaker + SG

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in a tube

12. To produce Vary frequency from SG from zero until f = fo ,natural frequency .
resonance in Maximum amplitude of vibration is seen with eyes.
stretched wire/string

13. To produce Vary length of tube above water,until loudest sound is heard.
resonance in tube,eg
long tube partially
immersed in water.

F. Precautionary steps/ good experimental features

Situation
1. Experiment related to sound
2. Experiment related to light
waves
Technique
 Cover with absorbent to absorb unwanted (or reflected sound)
from other sources.
 Perform experiment in a quiet room so that no sound from other
sources disrupts the experiment
 Hollow tube to guide/confine direction of sound
Others
 To produce:
- photodiode + milli-ammeter + psu
- bulb + ammeter + psu
- laser + psu
 To measure:
- Light meter
- calibrated LDR + ohmmeter
 Concave mirror, lens + light source – narrow ray
 Perform experiment in a dark room, or cover with sheets of matt
black card so that no light from other sources disrupts the
experiment

3. In case if the wire snaps  Use safety screen, protective goggles

4. To hold hot objects  Heatproof gloves

5. Hot liquids ( may splash)  Use safety screen, goggles,heatproof gloves
6. In case if the load may fall on  A bucket of sand under the load
foot or damage flooring

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7. To handle with radioactive
substance
8. Handling the laser source
9. To measure extension of a wire
10. To produce stationary wave on
vibrating string
11. Pressure too low or too high
- may cause implosion or
explosion
Pressure
12. Leakage of air
13. Heavy load
14. High voltage
 Use tongs, keep at least an arm’s length distance, source is
stored in lead lined container immediately when it is not in use,
do not direct the source at others.(note: wear lead suits
unacceptable)
 Do not look directly into the laser source. Do not point the source
at others’ eyes
 Check uniformity using micrometer, check if it is free from
kinks(smooth out using blocks of wood)
 A white card is placed behind the vibrating string for a clearer
observation of maximum amplitude
 stand behind safety screen/wear protective goggles–
 container should be strong enough to withstand high /low
pressure
 allow time for pressure to stabilise
 vacuum grease to seal the container
 Clamp the retort stand with G-clamps
 Rubber-coated wires,rubber gloves


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