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CAIE A-Level Physics 6.1.6 Young Modulus of a Metal Wire

Practise planning Young-modulus measurements of load, extension, length and diameter, selecting apparatus, repeated readings and precautions for reliability.

Syllabus
2028–2030
Course
Physics 9702
Level
AS

Exam points

  • describe a valid experiment to determine the Young modulus of a metal wire, including applying known loads and measuring extension
  • select suitable apparatus and measurements for diameter, original length, load and extension, and use repeated readings or a graph
  • explain precautions and data handling that improve reliability, such as avoiding excessive deformation, measuring small diameters carefully and controlling the setup

6.1.6—The Young modulus of a metal in the form of a wire question 1

[Maximum number: 3]

A wire is fixed at one end so that it hangs vertically. The wire is given an extension x by suspending a load F from its free end. The variation of F with x is shown in Fig. 3.1.

Fig. 3.1

Fig. 3.1

The wire has cross-sectional area 9.4×10−8 m29.4 \times 10^{-8} \mathrm{~m}^{2} and original length 2.5 m .

Describe how measurements can be taken to determine accurately the cross-sectional area of the wire.

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