Unit 6 Written Questions
Two identical capacitors were connected in series and charged. They were then
discharged through a resistor and ammeter. A student investigated how the current in
the resistor varied as the capacitors discharged.
The student had a stopwatch. Describe how the student should determine an accurate
value for the total capacitance of the capacitors
Choose the value of the resistor to give a reasonable discharge time.
Ensure the resistance of the resistor using a multimeter.
Charge the capacitors to the initial p.d.
Start the stopwatch at the same time as changing the switch.
Record the current from the ammeter at times determined using the stopwatch
Plot a graph of I against T, determine the time taken for the current to drop to 37% of
its initial current.
T=RC.
State one precaution the student should take.
Ensure the working p.d is not exceeded.
Ensure the capacitors are fully discharged after the experiment.
Draw an appropriate circuit diagram for this investigation.
Describe how the time period of the oscillations should be measured to make the
readings as accurate as possible.
Use a timing marker at the centre of the oscillations.
Measure multiple oscillations and divide by the number of oscillations
Repeat and calculate a mean.
Start timing after several oscillations have completed.
The students decide to use string to determine the circumference of the container.
They measure the thickness, t, of the string using a micrometer.
Explain two techniques that could be used to make sure this measurement is as
accurate as possible.
Check for zero error to eliminate systematic error.
Repeat at different places and calculate a mean to reduce the effect to random error.
Avoid squashing the string to reduce the effect of random error.
A box containing a radioactive source has the following labels.
Beta emitter only
Range in air 25 cm.
You are to plan an experiment to check that these labels are correct. Your plan should
include:
The apparatus to be used
G-M tube and counter
Metre rule/absorbers
The measurements to be taken
Range method
Background count rate recorded
Count rate recorded as distance between source and GM tube increased.
In range 2cm (shorter than range of alpha) to longer than 25cm.
Absorber method
Background count recorded
Varies distance to determine position at which count rate falls to background count.
Count rate recorded using different absorbers.
A technique to reduce the uncertainty in the measurements
Take them over a long time (minimum 60s)
How these measurements should be used to check that the labels are correct.
Count rate should not change at short range (5cm), hence no alpha.
At around 25 cm, count rate should fall to background, hence no gamma.
Or
No drop in count with paper, so no alpha.
Count rate drops to background with lead, hence no gamma.
A comment on safety.
Use handling tools.
Explain why the resistance to the thermistor decreases as temperature increases.
As temperature increases, the number of conducting electrons increases due to gain in
thermal energy of the electrons.
The student measures the distance h from the floor to the centre of the pendulum
bob. He determines values of the time period T of the pendulum for different values
of h.
Describe how he should use a metre rule to measure h. You may add to the diagram if
you wish.
Ensure the metre rule is perpendicular to the pendulum bob using the set square.
Obtain the value of h1 at the bottom of the pendulum and then the value of h2 at the
top of the bob, then use set squares to ensure measurement is accurate. Then h =
(h1+h2)/2
