15

4 A student is investigating the factors that affect the size of the crater (hole) a ball makes when it is
dropped into sand.

Plan an experiment which would enable you to investigate one factor which might affect the size
of the crater.

The apparatus available includes

metal balls of different sizes

a tray of sand

Write a plan for the experiment.

In your plan you should:

• state which factor is being investigated,

• state the key variables that you would control,

• list any additional apparatus needed,

• explain briefly how you would carry out the experiment including what would be measured
and how this would be done,

• state the precautions which should be taken to obtain reliable results,

• suggest a suitable graph which could be drawn from the results.

You may draw a diagram if it helps to explain your plan.

clamp electromagnet

stand

metal ball
sand tray

1) Set up apparatus as shown to investigate how the diameter of a metal ball

..........................................................................................................................................................
affects the diameter of the crater it makes when dropped in sand.
..........................................................................................................................................................

© UCLES 2018 0625/62/F/M/18 [Turn over

 16

2) Measure the diameter d of each ball using a micrometer.

..........................................................................................................................................................

3) Start with the electromagnet switched on and attach the first ball to the
..........................................................................................................................................................

bottom of the magnet.

..........................................................................................................................................................

4) measure the distance between the ball and the sand.

..........................................................................................................................................................

5) switch off the electromagnet to release the ball.

..........................................................................................................................................................

6) measure the diameter D of the crater made with a ruler from different angles
..........................................................................................................................................................

and take an average.

..........................................................................................................................................................

7) repeat twice to get an average value of D.

..........................................................................................................................................................

8) repeat the above steps for different ball diameters.

..........................................................................................................................................................

Record the results in the table below

..........................................................................................................................................................

d/mm D1/mm D2/mm D3/mm Dav/mm

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

Plot a graph of d/mm (x-axis) against Dav/mm (y-axis).

..........................................................................................................................................................

Precautions:
..........................................................................................................................................................

Make sure all balls fall from the same height .

..........................................................................................................................................................

Make sure the thickness of sand is always the same.

..........................................................................................................................................................

Make sure the sand is flat before dropping each ball.

..........................................................................................................................................................

look perpendicular to the scale of the ruler and micrometer.

..........................................................................................................................................................

.........................................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................[7]

[Total: 7]

Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the
publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge International
Examinations Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download at [Link] after
the live examination series.

Cambridge International Examinations is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of Cambridge Local
Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.

© UCLES 2018 0625/62/F/M/18

 10

4 A student is investigating the effect of double-walled insulation on the rate of cooling of hot water
in a copper container. The student places the copper container inside a larger metal container. He
is investigating the effect of the size of the air gap between the copper container and larger metal
containers.

Plan an experiment to investigate the effect of the size of the air gap between the copper container
and larger metal containers on the rate of cooling of hot water.

The following apparatus is available:

a copper container
a number of metal containers of different diameters (all larger than the copper container)
a thermometer
a stopwatch
a measuring cylinder
a supply of hot water.

You can also use other apparatus and materials that are usually available in a school laboratory.

In your plan, you should:

• explain briefly how you would carry out the investigation

• state the key variables that you would control

• draw a table, or tables, with column headings, to show how you would display your readings
(you are not required to enter any readings in the table)

• explain how you would use your readings to reach a conclusion.

You may draw a diagram if it helps your explanation.

copper
container
d

1) pour some of the hot water into the measuring cylinder and record the volume.
..........................................................................................................................................................

2) pour the water into the glass beaker and set up apparatus as shown in the
..........................................................................................................................................................

diagram.
..........................................................................................................................................................

© UCLES 2018 0625/61/M/J/18

 11

3) Measure the air gape d as shown in the diagram.

..........................................................................................................................................................

4) Record the initial temperature of the water in the insulated beaker and start
..........................................................................................................................................................

the stopwatch.
..........................................................................................................................................................

5) measure the temperature of the water every 30 seconds for a total time of four
..........................................................................................................................................................

minutes.
..........................................................................................................................................................

6) repeat the above procedure with two more beakers of different areas
..........................................................................................................................................................

7) Record your results in the following table

..........................................................................................................................................................

time/s temperature/°C
..........................................................................................................................................................

d1 d2 d3
..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

8) Plot three graphs one for each beaker of temperature/°C (Y-axis) against
..........................................................................................................................................................

time/s (X-axis). The steepest line will have the greatest rate of cooling.
..........................................................................................................................................................

Controlled variables:
..........................................................................................................................................................

1) use the same beaker through the whole experiment.

..........................................................................................................................................................

2) use same volume of water.

......................................................................................................................................................[7]

3) use same initial temperature of water in beaker. [Total: 7]

4) make sure room temperature is constant.

© UCLES 2018 0625/61/M/J/18

 10

4 A student is investigating whether the distance that a toy truck will travel along a horizontal floor,
before stopping, depends on its mass.

The following apparatus is available to the student:

a ramp
blocks to support the ramp as shown in Fig. 4.1
toy truck
a selection of masses
other standard apparatus from the physics laboratory.

Plan an experiment to investigate whether the distance that the toy truck will travel along a
horizontal floor, before stopping, depends on its mass.

In your plan, you should:

• explain briefly how you would carry out the investigation

• state any apparatus that you would use that is not included in the list above

• state the key variables that you would control

• draw a table, or tables, with column headings to show how you would display your
readings (you are not required to enter any readings in the table).

You may add to the diagram in Fig. 4.1 to help your description.

Added mass

Toy truck
ramp

blocks floor

tape measure / meter rule

Fig. 4.1

© UCLES 2018 0625/62/M/J/18

 11

Additional apparatus:
...................................................................................................................................................

masses, balance and tape measure / the meter rule.

...................................................................................................................................................

Procedure:
...................................................................................................................................................

1) measure the mass of the truck and the masses using the balance.
...................................................................................................................................................

2) setup apparatus as shown in the diagram.

...................................................................................................................................................

3) Start with the truck alone and no added masses at the top of the ramp then
...................................................................................................................................................

then release the truck to roll down the ramp.

...................................................................................................................................................

4) measure the ditance it travels from the end of the ramp using the tape -
...................................................................................................................................................

measure / the meter rule.

...................................................................................................................................................

5) repeat the measurement to get an average distance.

...................................................................................................................................................

6) Repeat the above steps for different masses added to the truck and record
...................................................................................................................................................

your results in the table below.

...................................................................................................................................................

Total mass / g d1 d2 d av
...................................................................................................................................................

...................................................................................................................................................

Controlled variables:
...................................................................................................................................................

Use same number of blocks supporting the ramp (same inclination).

...................................................................................................................................................

Use same initial hight to release the truck from.

...............................................................................................................................................[7]

[Total: 7]

© UCLES 2018 0625/62/M/J/18

 11

4 A student is investigating the force needed to just slide a block across a surface.

Plan an experiment that will enable him to investigate how the force needed varies with the mass
of the block.

The apparatus available includes:

a light, flat wooden block with a hook fitted as shown in Fig. 4.1

a pulley which can be clamped to a bench.

wooden block

hook

Fig. 4.1

In your plan, you should:

• list any additional apparatus needed

• draw a clearly labelled diagram of how the apparatus will be arranged

• give brief instructions for carrying out the experiment

• describe any precautions which should be taken to ensure reliable results

• suggest a graph which could be drawn.

block
Pulley

mass hanger
bench

© UCLES 2018 0625/63/M/J/18 [Turn over

 12

Additional apparatus:
..........................................................................................................................................................

masses, string and balance

..........................................................................................................................................................

Procedure:
..........................................................................................................................................................

1) measure the mass of the block and the masses .

..........................................................................................................................................................

2) setup apparatus as shown in the diagram with the mass hanger empty.
..........................................................................................................................................................

3) Add masses to the hanger gradually until the block starts moving.
..........................................................................................................................................................

4) record the mass (m) that makes the block start to move.
..........................................................................................................................................................

5) calculate the force (F) on the block using F = m/100 [(m/1000) g to Kg then times 10]
..........................................................................................................................................................

6) Repeat the above steps with different masses added above the block.
..........................................................................................................................................................

Record your results in the table below:

..........................................................................................................................................................

Total mass of block/g m/g F/N

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

Controlled variables:
..........................................................................................................................................................

Use same block.

..........................................................................................................................................................

use same area of block in contact with the bench.

..........................................................................................................................................................

use same pulley.

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................... [7]

[Total: 7]

Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the
publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge International
Examinations Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download at [Link] after
the live examination series.

Cambridge International Examinations is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of Cambridge Local
Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.

© UCLES 2018 0625/63/M/J/18

 14

4 A student is investigating the relationship between the power produced by an electrical heater and
the time taken to heat a beaker of water. The power of the heater is given by the equation P = VI,
where V is the potential difference (p.d.) across the heater and I is the current in the heater.

Plan an experiment to investigate the relationship between the power produced by an electrical
heater and the time taken to heat a beaker of water.

The following apparatus is available:

ammeter
voltmeter
0–12 V variable power supply
250 cm3 beaker
heater
thermometer
stopwatch

The student can also use other apparatus and materials that are usually available in a school
laboratory.

You should:

• complete the diagram in Fig. 4.1 to show the circuit that you would use

• explain briefly how you would carry out the investigation

• state the key variables that you would control

• draw a table with column headings, to show how you would display your readings (you
are not required to enter any readings in the table)

• explain how you would use your results to reach a conclusion.

© UCLES 2018 0625/61/O/N/18

 15

beaker

electrical heater water

Fig. 4.1

1) Measure a certain amount of water using a measuring cylinder and pour it

..........................................................................................................................................................

gently into the beaker.

..........................................................................................................................................................

2) Setup apparatus as shown in the diagram.

..........................................................................................................................................................

3) Measure the initial temperature θ1 of the water.

..........................................................................................................................................................

3) Switch on the power supply and start a stopwatch at the same time.
..........................................................................................................................................................

4) Measure the voltage V from the voltmeter and the current I from the ammeter.
..........................................................................................................................................................

5) Calculate the power P using P = VI.

..........................................................................................................................................................

6) Wait until the water reaches a final temperature θ2 then switch off the current
..........................................................................................................................................................

and the stopwatch.

..........................................................................................................................................................

7) Change the voltage across the heater by changing the value of the variable
..........................................................................................................................................................

resistor then repeat the above steps.

..........................................................................................................................................................

Record your results in the table below:

..........................................................................................................................................................

V/V I/A P/W t/s

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................
© UCLES 2018 0625/61/O/N/18 [Turn over
 16

Plot a graph of t/s (y-axis) against P/W (x-axis)

..........................................................................................................................................................

Controlled variables:
..........................................................................................................................................................

use same apparatus

..........................................................................................................................................................

use same volume of water

..........................................................................................................................................................

use same initial and final temperatures

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................... [7]

[Total: 7]

Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every
reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the
publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity.

To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge International
Examinations Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download at [Link] after
the live examination series.

Cambridge International Examinations is part of the Cambridge Assessment Group. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of University of Cambridge Local
Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is itself a department of the University of Cambridge.

© UCLES 2018 0625/61/O/N/18

 10

4 A student is investigating whether the type of container affects the time taken for water to be
heated from room temperature to boiling point.

The following apparatus is available:

250 cm3 copper can

250 cm3 aluminium can
250 cm3 glass beaker
Bunsen burner
measuring cylinder
thermometer
tripod and gauze
stopwatch

Other apparatus normally available in the school laboratory is also available.

Plan an experiment to investigate whether the type of container affects the time taken for water to
be heated from room temperature to boiling point.

You should:

• explain briefly how you would carry out the investigation

• state the key variables that you would control

• draw a table, or tables, with column headings to show how you would display your readings
(you are not required to enter any readings in the table)

• explain briefly how you would use your readings to reach a conclusion.

1) Measure a certain volume of water using the measuring cylinder and pour it
..........................................................................................................................................................

into the copper can gently.

..........................................................................................................................................................

2) Place the copper can on the tripod and measure the initial temperature of the
..........................................................................................................................................................

water.
..........................................................................................................................................................

3) place the bunsen burner under the copper can then start the flame and start a
..........................................................................................................................................................

stopwatch at the same time.

..........................................................................................................................................................

4) wait until the water starts to boil then stop the stopwatch.
..........................................................................................................................................................

5) Repeat the above steps for the aluminium can and the glass beaker.
..........................................................................................................................................................

Record your results in the table below and see witch container takes longer time.
..........................................................................................................................................................

Container t/s
..........................................................................................................................................................

Copper
..........................................................................................................................................................

aluminium
..........................................................................................................................................................

glass
..........................................................................................................................................................

© UCLES 2018 0625/62/O/N/18

 11

Controlled variables:
..........................................................................................................................................................

same initial temperature

..........................................................................................................................................................

same room temperature

..........................................................................................................................................................

same size and shape of containers

..........................................................................................................................................................

same volume of water

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................... [7]

[Total: 7]

© UCLES 2018 0625/62/O/N/18

 12

4 A student is investigating the conduction of thermal energy by metals.

Plan an experiment to compare the rates at which different metals conduct thermal energy.

The apparatus available includes:

strips of different metals, shaped as shown in Fig. 4.1

a test-tube in a clamp stand
a beaker
a supply of cold water
a supply of hot water.

Fig. 4.1

The shorter section of each strip of metal can fit inside a test-tube.

Write a plan for the experiment.

You should:

• list any additional apparatus needed

• draw a labelled diagram of how the apparatus will be arranged

• explain briefly how you will carry out the experiment

• explain how the metals will be compared

• state the precautions which should be taken to obtain reliable results.

© UCLES 2018 0625/63/O/N/18

 13

1) Fill the beaker with hot water and the tes-tube with cold water and measure
..........................................................................................................................................................

both temperatures.
..........................................................................................................................................................

2) Place the metal strips in the hot wter and wait for their temperature to reach
..........................................................................................................................................................

the temperature of the hot water.

..........................................................................................................................................................

3) remove one of the strips and immerse it quickly into the cold water ans start a
..........................................................................................................................................................

stopwatch.
..........................................................................................................................................................

4) after some time stop the stopwatch and record the new temperature of the
..........................................................................................................................................................

water in the test-tube.

..........................................................................................................................................................

5) Repeat the above steps with the other metal strips.

..........................................................................................................................................................

Record your results in the table below

..........................................................................................................................................................

Metal time/s
..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

The metal with the least time is the better conductor.

..........................................................................................................................................................

Controlled variables:
..........................................................................................................................................................

same temperature of hot water.

..........................................................................................................................................................

same initial and final temperature of cold water.

..........................................................................................................................................................

same volume of cold water.

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

..................................................................................................................................................... [7]

[Total: 7]

© UCLES 2018 0625/63/O/N/18