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Tips About A2 Physics Paper 5
Question 1 (Designing an Experiment)
Defining the problem [2 or 3]
●
Independent Variable (what we change)
●
Dependent Variable (the effect)
● Controlled Variable
(what we do not change)
Methods of data collection [4]
●
Labeled Diagram (Always)
● Method to measure constants / variables (Always)
○ Distance in
cm/m: meter rule/vernier caliper
○ Angle: Protractor, Trigonometry by measuring distance
○ Diameter/ Thickness: Micrometer
○ Time: stop watch, light gate attached to a timer/data-logger (to measure
period of rotation of turntable)
○ a point: Light gates
Velocity at
○ Mass: Balance
○ Sound: microphone, sound meter, sound detector.
○
Pressure: bourdon gauge/manometer or pressure gauge
○
Temperature: thermometer
○
Wavelength (Light): diffraction grating ( nλ = dsinθ )/Young’s slit ( λ = aX
D )
○
Light Intensity: light meter/detector, LDR
○ Power: P=IV
use, ammeter, voltmeter
○ Force: newton-meter, extension of stretched elastic/spring
○ Magnetic Field Strength: Hall
probe
Other points depending on the type of experiment:
●
Experiment involving Oscillator:
○
Voltmeter/c.r.o. connected in parallel with vibrator in a workable circuit.
○ a.c. supply connected to vibrator
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○ Wait for vibrator to oscillate evenly (additional detail)
● Experiment that involves sound:
○ Perform experiment in quiet room
○ Method of ensuring that output from speaker is constant (Keep the
frequency constant).
○ Method of reducing sound reflections from e.g. foam/speaker & microphone
close to glass.
○ Window perpendicular to sound source.
○ Intensity is proportional to the amplitude2
● Experiment that involves measuring resistivity:
○ Method of determining resistance.
○ Good contact between circuit and glass e.g. metal plates, foil, conducting
putty.
○ Metal plates/foil/conducting putty to cover all of the cross-sectional area in
use.
○ Method of securing good contact between circuit and glass, e.g. g clamps,
weights. Clean/dry the glass.
● Experiment that involves measuring light:
○ use high intensity lamp or collimated beam or laser
○ View with the same eye.
○ Perform experiment in a dark room/tube
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○ Direction of light is perpendicular to glass sheets/constant orientation.
○
Method to check output of lamp is constant e.g. measure current
through/p.d. across lamp/regularly check V0 with no glass.
○
Method of producing monochromatic light -> filter/coloured
LED.
● Experiment that involves circuits
underwater:
○ ensure that the electrical connections/wire to the LDR are waterproof
●
Experiment that involves falling objects:
○ Keep starting point constant/drop object from same position/ use of
electromagnet to drop object/ ensure mass is dropped from fixed point/
check object falls vertically
● Experiment that involves inducing e.m.f in coil
Y:
○ Two independent coils labelled X and Y.
○ Alternating current in coil X
○ Voltmeter in coil Y
○ Use c.r.o. to determine period/frequency or read off nsignal generator.
○ Keep coil Y and coil X in the same relative positions.
○ Keep frequency of power supply constant.
○ Avoid other alternating magnetic fields.
Method of Analysis [2 or 3]
Always the same for every experiment
There will be some equation for you to prove the relationship between the dependent and
independent variable, rearrange
them = mx + c (sometimes using ln)
into the form y
● Use y = mx + c
● Dependent variable as y
● Independent variable as x
against x
Plot y
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The relation will be valid if it is a straight line through c (if c = 0 then through origin)
Relationship Graph Gradient y-intercept
y = mx + c y against x m c
y = axn log y against log x n log a
y = aekx ln y against x k ln a
Safety considerations [1]
(for 2016+ papers it is now in “additional detail” section.)
● Precaution linked to (large) current in coil/heating
○ e.g. switch off when not in use to avoid overheating coil
○ do not touch because it is hot
● Precaution linked to object falling,
○ e.g. keep well away/sand trays
○ use cushion/foam/sandbox
○ prevent ball causing injury e.g. goggles/safety screen
● Precaution linked to generating wind (using a fan),
○ Avoid the moving blades of the fan
○ safety screen
○ switch off when changing experiment
○ goggles to avoid air stream into eye.
● Precaution linked to preventing spilling oil,
○ e.g. use a tray/lid/cloth to absorb oil (do not allow just wiping or mopping)
● Precaution related to use of glass:
○ Protection (goggles/safety screen) in case glass breaks.
● Precaution related intensity of sound
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○ e.g. wear ear defenders
○ switch on sound source for short period of time.
● Precaution related to EHT (Extra high tension - High V, Low I, High R) power supply
(>100 V)
○ switch off before changing circuit
○ use of rubber gloves
● Precaution related l ight:
○ Do not look directly at bright light source / do not touch hot light source. [1]
○ Dark glasses to prevent damage to eyes due to light source
● Precaution linked to h
ot heater/water
○ e.g. use gloves or use tongs for hot blocks. Do not allow goggles.
Additional Detail [4]
(general points that often come up)
● Do repeats
for
each measurement (at different parts) and find an average
●
Use large measurements to reduce
the percentage uncertainty (including the
method)
○ Large protractor to measure angle [or use trig (corresponds to pt 3)]
○ Large temperature change
○ Large distances
○ Large current
○ Large number of coils -> large magnetic field
Other points depending on the type of experiment:
● Correct trigonometry relationship to determine sin θ or θ using marked lengths
● Method of securing load to rule e.g. with tape/glue.
● Involve inclined plane and acceleration:
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○ clean surfaces of blocks/inclined plane/ensure surface of the plane is smooth
(to reduce friction)
○ some exp allow air track (to reduce friction)
● Method of using c.r.o (c.r.o is connected in parallel)
○ Method to determine period of oscillation from c.r.o., i.e. one time period ×
time-base (additional detail)
○ Method to determine V from c.r.o, i.e. amplitude (height) × y-gain
● Spirit level used to make sure something is horizontal
● Set square/Plumb line (but prefer set square) used to make sure something is
vertical
● Fiducial mark used to find period of oscillating object
● If Logarithms used then mark for relationship involving logs
● Method to determine centre of circle e.g. measure two or more
diameters/maximum distance ideas
● Measuring temperature of a liquid:
○ Stir liquid for thermal equilibrium
○ Wait for temperature to stabilise
● Experiment involving moving objects:
○ wait for the movement of object to become stable.
● Experiment involving Spring constant, k:
○ Method to ensure Hooke’s law is obeyed, e.g. check that the length is
constant after removing load or do not exceed elastic limit
● Experiment involving Hall Probe:
○ Adjust Hall probe until maximum reading obtained/perpendicular to
field/pole
○ Use Hall probe to take readings for both poles and average
○ Calibrate Hall probe a using known field
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○ B is proportional to voltage across Hall probe/calibrate Hall probe in a known
magnetic field.
○ Avoid external magnetic fields.
TOTAL: [15]
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