June 2008 (Group 1)

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Question 1C

You are to plan an investigation of how the magnetic field strength varies along the axis of a
solenoid. You are then to analyse a set of data from such an experiment.

(a) (i) A solenoid is set up as shown in the diagram below. Add to the diagram the
circuit you would connect to the solenoid to set and maintain a known value of
current in the solenoid.

C
x
Axis

(3)

(ii) Draw how you would place a Hall probe to measure the magnetic field strength
at a point along the axis a distance x from the centre C of the solenoid. You
should draw the Hall probe outside the solenoid and should take care to show the
orientation of the chip (sensor) correctly.
(1)

(iii) Describe how you would determine the distance x. You may add to the diagram
if you wish.

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(2)

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(b) The solenoid has a length of 276 mm and has 337 turns. When the current in the
solenoid was adjusted to 500 mA, the calibrated Hall probe indicated that the magnetic
field strength at the centre of the solenoid was 0.761 mT.

The magnetic field strength B at the centre of a solenoid having n turns per metre is
given by:

B = µ0 n I

when the current in the solenoid is I.

Discuss the extent to which you think that the Hall probe is correctly calibrated.

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(3)

(c) The following data were obtained when the magnetic field strength B was measured
along the axis at different distances x from the centre of the solenoid, keeping the
current constant at 500 mA.

x / mm B / mT
0 0.761
40 0.760
80 0.706
120 0.549
140 0.330
150 0.217
160 0.151
180 0.077
200 0.032

Plot a graph of B against x on the grid opposite.

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(4)

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(d) Theory suggests that the magnetic field strength at the end of a long solenoid is
exactly half that at its centre. Discuss the extent to which this experiment supports
this suggestion.

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(3) Q1C

(Total 16 marks)

TOTAL FOR PAPER: 48 MARKS

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 June 2008 (Group 2)

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Question 2C
You are to plan an investigation of how the magnetic field strength varies along the axis of a
coil. You are then to analyse a set of data from such an experiment.
(a) (i) A flat circular coil is set up as shown in the diagram below. Add to the diagram
the circuit you would connect to the coil to set and maintain a known value of
current in the coil.

x Axis
C

(3)

(ii) Draw how you would place a Hall probe to measure the magnetic field strength
at a point along the axis a distance x from the centre C of the coil. You should be
careful to show the orientation of the Hall chip (sensor) correctly.
(1)
(iii) Describe how you would determine the average diameter of the coil. You may
add to the diagram if you wish.

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(2)
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(b) The coil has a diameter of 124 mm and has 70 turns. When the current in the coil
was adjusted to 500 mA, the calibrated Hall probe indicated that the magnetic field
strength at the centre of the coil was 0.350 mT.

The magnetic field strength B at the centre of a coil having a radius r and N turns is
given by
µ NI
B= 0
2r
when the current in the coil is I.

Discuss the extent to which you think that the Hall probe is correctly calibrated.

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(3)

(c) The following data were obtained when the magnetic field strength B was measured
along the axis at different distances x from the centre of the coil, keeping the current
constant at 500 mA.

x / mm B / mT
0 0.350
20 0.304
40 0.219
50 0.163
60 0.120
80 0.071
100 0.039
120 0.024

Plot a graph of B against x on the grid opposite.

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(4)

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(d) Theory suggests that when x = r, the radius of the coil, the magnetic field
strength is 1 / 8 of the field strength at the centre of the coil. Discuss the extent to
which this experiment supports this suggestion.

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(3) Q2C

(Total 16 marks)

TOTAL FOR PAPER: 48 MARKS

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 June 2008 (International)

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Question C

You are to plan an investigation into the relationship between the frequency of vibration of a
rubber cord and the tension in the cord when it is made to resonate. You are then to analyse
a set of data from such an experiment.

(a) When a stationary (standing) wave in the fundamental mode is formed on a length l
of rubber cord there is one antinode. Draw below the shape of this oscillation.

State the relationship between the wavelength λ of the wave and the length l between
the supports.

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(2)

(b) Stationary waves in a fixed length of a horizontal rubber cord under tension can be
produced using a vibration transducer and a signal generator.

(i) Draw below a diagram of the experimental arrangement you would use to display
such standing waves.

The following additional apparatus is available:

• slotted masses and hanger to provide the tension;

• pulley mounted on a clamp.

Mark on your diagram the fixed length l.

(3)

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(ii) Describe the readings you would take to investigate the relationship between
the tension T in the cord and the fundamental resonant frequency f for a fixed
length l.

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(2)

(iii) The resonant frequency f is related to the tension T in a cord of fixed length l by
the equation

T = k l2 f 2

where k is a constant.

Explain clearly why a graph of ln T against ln f will produce a straight line.

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(2)

(c) Such an experiment produced the following data:

T /N f /Hz
0.70 10.2

1.20 13.5

1.70 16.3

2.20 18.8

2.70 21.0

3.20 22.8

Plot a graph of ln T against ln f on the grid opposite. Use the columns provided in the
table above for your processed data.

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(4)
(d) Determine a value for the gradient of your graph.

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(3) QC

(Total 16 marks)
TOTAL FOR PAPER: 48 MARKS

END

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 January 2009

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Question C

A music amplifier can be thought of as a source of emf with an internal resistance. When
such an amplifier is connected to a load resistance such as a loudspeaker, the power
developed in the loudspeaker varies with the resistance of the loudspeaker. You are to plan
an experiment to measure how the power varies with the resistance and then to analyse some
data.
Amplifier
r
E

Load resistance

(a) (i) Explain why, when the switch is open, the reading on the voltmeter is very close
to the emf E of the amplifier.

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(ii) The switch is now closed. Explain why the reading V on the voltmeter falls.

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(iii) For a given value of R state an expression you would use to calculate the value
of the current in the circuit. Hence show that the internal resistance r of the
amplifier is given by.
E 
r = R  − 1
V 

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(5)
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(b) Describe how you would investigate how the power developed in the load varies with
its resistance R. You should say what readings you would take and how you would
obtain your values of the power.

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(3)

(c) For a certain amplifier the following data were obtained.

R/Ω V/V
4.0 8.33

5.0 9.62

7.0 11.67

9.0 13.24

11.0 14.47

13.0 15.48

On the grid opposite plot a graph of power P against resistance R. You should add
any processed data to the table.

From your graph find the value of the maximum power Pm in the load and the
resistance Rm that produces maximum power.

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(5)

(d) Use your values of Pm and Rm to find the terminal potential difference Vm, across the
resistor at maximum power.

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(1)

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(e) Hence find a value for the internal resistance of the amplifier given that its emf is
25 V.

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Calculate the efficiency of the energy transfer from the amplifier to the loudspeaker
when it is working at maximum power.

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(2) QC

(Total 16 marks)

TOTAL FOR PAPER: 48 MARKS

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 June 2009 (Group 1)

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Question 1C

You are to plan an experiment on a sample of gas using computer technology to capture the
data. You will then analyse a set of data from a similar experiment.

(a) A sample of gas is held in a container at constant volume. The pressure of the gas
is monitored by a pressure sensor mounted through the top of the container. The
temperature of the gas is varied by placing the container in a water bath and the
temperature of the bath is monitored by a temperature sensor. The output from each
sensor is sent to a computer to record the data.

Draw a block diagram to show how the data is fed to the computer.

The temperature is to be varied from the ice point to the boiling point of the water.

How should the computer be used to record an appropriate set of data for this
experiment?

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Suggest two experimental precautions that you would take to ensure that the data are
accurate.

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(b) By considering the Ideal Gas Equation

pV = nRT

explain why a graph of p against T will be a straight line through the origin.

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Write down the expression for the gradient of such a graph.

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(4)

(c) In such an experiment the following data were recorded.

θ / °C p / kPa

0 101

10 105

22 110

37 115

47 118

61 124

75 129

87 133

100 138

Plot a graph of p against T on the grid opposite. Use the additional column for any
processed data.

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(3)

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(d) Determine the gradient of your graph.

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Given that the volume of the container is 500 cm3, use your value for the gradient to
calculate the number of moles of gas in the container.

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(4) Q1C

(Total 16 marks)

TOTAL FOR PAPER: 48 MARKS

END

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 June 2009 (Group 2)

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Question 2C

You are to plan an experiment on a sample of gas using computer technology to capture the
data. You will then analyse a set of data from a similar experiment.

(a) A calibrated syringe is filled with the gas at atmospheric pressure. The pressure of the
gas is monitored by a pressure sensor attached to the end of the syringe. This sensor
measures the difference between the pressure of the gas and atmospheric pressure.
The output from this sensor is sent to a computer to record the data.

The block diagram for measuring and recording the pressure sensor is shown below:

Interface
Sensor Computer
data logger

The method is to vary the volume of the gas whilst keeping the temperature constant.
The computer records the sensor reading. The volume of the gas is read from the
scale on the syringe and the values are entered manually using the keyboard.

What must be done to avoid a systematic error in the pressure of the gas?

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Suggest two experimental precautions that you would take to ensure that the data are
accurate.

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Suggest an advantage of using computer technology for this experiment.

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(b) By considering the Ideal Gas Equation

pV = nRT

explain why a graph of p against 1/V will be a straight line through the origin.

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Write down the expression for the gradient of such a graph.

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(3)

(c) In such an experiment the following data were recorded.

p / kPa V / cm3

101 60.0

112 54.0

120 50.2

135 45.0

150 40.2

167 36.5

179 34.0

190 32.0

200 29.9

Plot a graph of p against 1/V on the grid opposite. Use the additional column for any
processed data.

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(4)

(d) Determine the gradient of your graph.

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Given that the temperature of the room is 25 °C, calculate the number of moles of gas
in the container.

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(4) Q2C

(Total 16 marks)
TOTAL FOR PAPER: 48 MARKS

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 June 2009 (International)

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Question C

You are to plan an investigation of how the resistance of a thermistor varies with temperature.
You are then to analyse a set of data from such an experiment.

(a) (i) Draw a diagram of the arrangement you would use to measure the resistance of
a thermistor at different temperatures in the range 10 °C to 70 °C.

(3)

(ii) Describe how you would carry out the experiment and state any precautions that
you would take to improve the accuracy of your results.

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(b) A student suggests that the resistance R of a thermistor may be related to its celsius
temperature θ by an equation of the form
R = R0 e–aθ

where R0 is the resistance at 0 °C and a is a constant.

Explain how a graph of ln R against θ would enable you to find values for R0 and the
constant a.

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(2)

(c) The following data were obtained in such an experiment.

θ / °C R / kΩ

10.0 11.54

20.0 7.50

30.0 4.76

40.0 3.16

50.0 2.05

60.0 1.21

70.0 0.67

Add values of ln R to the table and then plot a graph of ln R against θ on the grid
opposite.

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(5)

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(d) (i) Over what range of temperatures do the results of this experiment suggest that the
proposed equation is correct?

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(ii) Use your graph to estimate a value for R0, the resistance of the thermistor at
0 °C.

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(3) QC

(Total 16 marks)
TOTAL FOR PAPER: 48 MARKS

END

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 January 2010

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Question C

You are to plan an investigation of how the bending of a beam, when a mass is hung from the
end of the beam, varies with the length of the beam. You are then to analyse a set of data from
such an experiment.

(a) The beam, in the form of a wooden metre rule, is clamped over the end of a bench as
shown below, with a 500 g mass suspended from its end.

It is suggested that the depression y of the end of the rule may vary with the horizontal
distance x according to the equation

y = kxn

where k and n are constants.

The distance x is measured from the point at which the rule is clamped to the centre
of gravity of the suspended mass.

Describe exactly how you would measure the quantities x and y. You may add to the
diagram if you wish.

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(b) Explain how a graph of ln y against ln x would enable you to determine the constants
k and n.

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(2)

(c) The following data were obtained in such an experiment.

x / mm y / mm

900 190

800 121

700 90

600 52

500 31

400 16

Add values of ln x and ln y to the table and then plot a graph of ln y against ln x on
the grid opposite.

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(5)

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(d) Use your graph to determine a value for the constant n.

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(2)

(e) The constant k depends on the width a and the thickness b of the metre rule.

Describe how you would make accurate measurements of each of these quantities.

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(3) QC

(Total 16 marks)

TOTAL FOR PAPER: 48 MARKS

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