Practise Edexcel A-Level Physics planning skills through apparatus choice, controlled variables, accurate measurement methods, repeats, uncertainty and safety.
A student is investigating the effect of temperature on the viscosity of oil by measuring how fast the oil flows through a funnel. He uses the apparatus shown.
State a piece of apparatus the student could use to vary the temperature of the oil.
State a piece of apparatus the student could use to measure the time taken for the oil to flow through the funnel.
The two thermometers shown below are available.
He chooses to use the digital thermometer.
Justify his choice.
Identify one control variable in this investigation.
Describe how this variable can be controlled.
The student initially measures the time from starting to pour the oil into the funnel to the last drop of oil falling from the funnel.
State how the rate of flow of the oil should be calculated.
Describe how the same apparatus could be used to calculate a more accurate value for the rate of flow of the oil.
A student made measurements on the solid metal prism shown.
The student used a balance to determine the mass of the metal prism.
The reading on the balance is shown below.
State the resolution of the balance.
The student used vernier calipers to determine the lengths a, b and c.
Explain one technique he should use to determine accurate values for these lengths.
A student investigated the motion of a small sphere on a curved track using the apparatus shown.
The student marked the track at the rest position of the sphere.
The student then marked the track at the start position of the sphere.
She used a metre rule to measure the horizontal distance d between the two marks on the track.
Describe an accurate method to measure a single value of d.